The Fountainhead is the story of Howard Roark, a brilliant architect who stands alone against the hostility of conventional architects and a society that prizes conformity over innovation. The theme, in Ayn Rand’s words, is “individualism versus collectivism, not in politics, but in man's soul.” The theme is embodied in Roark’s conflicts with a socialist who schemes to destroy him; a media magnate whose trashy newspaper plays to the masses but, despite himself, becomes Roark’s closest friend; and a beautiful woman who loves Roark but works to undermine him. In the course of the novel, Roark’s interactions with these and other characters bring out the true nature of independence and of man’s creative potential.

The Pocket Guide to The Fountainhead, by The Atlas Society, is a thorough, quick, and easy-to-use readers’ tool for fans and first-time readers alike. It includes a complete plot synopsis of the novel and an alphabetical guide to the novel’s cast of characters. Whether you are reading the novel for the first time or the fifteenth, our Pocket Guide will help you stay abreast of all the twists and turns in Rand's epic story.