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Summary: Objective Objectivists - the Impossible Dream?
Review: A fascinating story of real people struggling toward a dream ... with a nightmare at the door. Whether you agree with Ayn's ideas or not, they're certainly intruiging. The book provides theory enough to whet your appetite, plus a dose of self-esteem psychology that's very encouraging. One can't help but compare Ayn's ideas - such as rational self-interest - with the all-too-human characters' rationalized self-indulgence that fleshes out the rest. Branden and the "collective", a pretty talented and seemingly sincere bunch, tried so hard and became so twisted. Is it man or Ayn's message that is flawed? I loved it. Five stars if it had a bit tighter editing; especially near the end, which could be titled "My Life".
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Summary: An antisocial witch
Review: After reading this interesting memoir regarding Ayn Rand, I am confirmed in my opinion that she simply didn't measure up to the standards of human decency. Why Branden continues to have any respect for her is beyond me.
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Summary: Still Dancing to Ayn's Tune
Review: Ayn Rand as seen by a close follower emerges as a truly depressing character in MY YEARS WITH AYN RAND. To this reader, such a book might be of interest only as it measures the distance between the mythical Rand and the true. In the case of this self-flagellating memoir, Rand's high priest in the 1960's grimly applies this same measure to himself as well. Humor would have been helpful to both audience and penitant, but that's not part of the doctor's prescription. Suffering from depression after finishing that one note symphony of a novel, ATLAS SHRUGGED, and retreating to the close confines of a Manhatten apartment, Rand began a personality cult with the purpose of convincing the world that her third-rate philosophy was the only valid path to understanding the world. As commonly happens to cult leaders, eventually she became filled with the blackest bile towards the culture that, on the whole, had received and rejected her wisdom. But Rand kept her friends close, although as a condition of friendship they all had to think and act similarly. Rand certainly could have done herself a favor by following the politician's dictum: keep the enemies even closer. Maybe at least a couple of non-contemptuous laughs might have resulted. The man who wrote this self-purge of a memoir, Nathaniel Branden, was, after many years of playing Elmer Gantry to Rand's Sister Susan, zapped out of the cult with aging, feminine scorn. This old tale holds no interest, except perhaps for the reader of sordid tell-all confessions. If Ayn Rand ever held any fascination for you, your voyeurism tendencies will not be well rewarded. Now I'm doing the confessing. One wholeheartedly agrees with the author that he was arrogant then and one perceives a lack of alteration. Branden is not only aware of this character flaw, but he has also learned to live with it. After reading one of Branden's relatively recent self-help psychology books, I can understand how: Branden's laudable professional objective is to teach others self-acceptance. Perhaps that was the real purpose of the memoir: the physician completing his own cure. Branden remains to a great degree within the Randian orbit, at least from the standpoint of basic attitudes to life, even if this orbit reflects the eccentric path of Halley's comet. I would be more convinced of the efficacy of the cure if it involved a true breaking off and a search for a new sun as guiding light. As Rand might have said, the motive power is lacking.
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Summary: What's Left To Lie About?
Review: Branden lied to Ayn Rand about so much for so long, lied to his readers about his "break" with Rand in 1968, and still continues in his lies about his former lies. Branden's first set of lies, Judgment Day, has been revised to account for new set of lies.
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Summary: Well-written and interesting
Review: Despite the controversy throughout the Objectivist movement regarding Nathaniel Branden, this book is a must-read for those interested in the rise of Objectivism. While giving Ms. Rand high praise where it is due, Branden is also critical of Rand's behavior in some circumstances. However, as a Rand fan myself, I found his criticisms to be matter-of-fact and without loaded words or innuendos. This book should be read by the open-minded thinker who can accept that to be a brilliant philosopher is not to be without flaws. I began reading this book as a great admirer of Rand's, and I am still one to this day. But now I have a greater understanding of who she was as a person in addition to an understanding of her wonderful ideas. This book (as well as Barbara Branden's biography of Ms. Rand), should not be missed by any Objectivist.
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Summary: So much for 'Objectivism'.
Review: Either the contents of this book are basically true, in which case Rand was not the model of 'objectivity' she pretended to be, or they are false, in which case the Brandens - two of Rand's closest associates ever, who knew, publicly represented, and practised her 'philosophy' for many years - are incapable of objectivity themselves. Either way, 'Objectivism' is misnamed.
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Summary: I paid 13.30 for this in 2002. Now they want 28???
Review: Either we have experienced some massive inflation or something is very wrong.
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Summary: What's the sense?
Review: First of all, I haven't finished this book yet, and may not. I always neglect to read the fine print, and didn't notice that this was just an updated version of Judgement Day -- which at the time was quite an interesting book to me. Now, it wouldn't be, since I've already read it. Which pretty much sums up my thoughts on My Year's with AR. Without going to the trouble of re-reading Judgement Day, it seems to me that this newer version certainly contains some juicy tidbits that the first version didn't. But mostly, I am not interested in those since they seem to be centered mostly on the sexual affair of Branden and Rand -- which I am very UN-interested in. Rand was a mind, not a body, and for the most part, this is what Branden made love to. Rand smoked, did not a smidgeon of exercise, and must have in a most fundamental manner believed in the mind/body dichotomy -- since all she cared about at all was the mind. To me, sexuality also involves the physical dimension -- since this is what you are touching and feeling. I guess by wallowing in this repugnant affair Branden wants to vindicate himself from the hideous consequences to Frank, Ayn's husband, who was asked to leave the apartment, and his own bedroom, while Ayn had sex with Nate. Ain't that a cozy deal. Unfortunately, this theme seems to dominate the book. It insinuates itself into so many aspects of it that it is not only revolting, but tiresome. I must confess: Normally, I like Branden, and have managed throughout the years to harvest many substantially good ideas from him that have added value to my own life. But this book is a waste of time. Most especially so if you have read Judgement Day. It almost makes you think Branded just wants to pump out books, and this is not a good reflection on his other works.
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Summary: The pot calls the kettle black.
Review: Funny how ol' Nate says that those in the Objectivist movement (the Ayn Rand Institute)are the ones "milking" Miss Rand's ideas and name. Isn't this just a rehash of "Judgement Day"? Mr. Branden himself says so. So, isn't this is yet another attempt to "rake in" the cash off her corpse? Mr. Branden claims he "suddenly" remembered vivid happenings during his life with Miss Rand and wanted to revise his earlier diatribe,er,story I mean. Sorta like that commediene Roseanne suddenly remembering abuse she allegedly suffered as a child. I would caution readers unfamiliar with Miss Rand's writing's to read her work first to get a sense of her genius. Was she perfect? No. Was she the emotional ogre that Libertarian's paint her to be? Not hardly. What I myself remember from reading his book, "Judgement Day" was, here is a man soley concerned with screaming "Look how great I am!" This shows an absence of self-esteem in my view. Ironic that Mr. Branden is considered "the father of the self-esteem movement". If you must read this book, don't spend your hard earned money on purchasing it. Get it from the library instead.
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Summary: Branden was quite the ladies' man
Review: Goodness, his ' years with Ayn Rand ' certainly included a great deal of boffing, didn't they ? Sleeping by turns with three women at once - and he was married to one of them ! I shall have to look into this 'objectivism' philosophy ! It all sounds quite merry.
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