Rating: 
Summary: As thrilling as an Ayn Rand novel.
Review: This book is as thrilling as an Ayn Rand novel. It integrates philosophy, history, psychology, drama. I've never read a memoir like it--and memoirs and biographies are my favorite reading. I liked "Judgment Day," Branden's original memoir, of which this is a new and revised edition, but I like the new one more, although the changes are sometimes subtle and hard to spot, except where it is obvious new material has been added. The inclusion of the story of Devers Branden's encounters with Miss Rand is alone worth the price of the book. Like Branden's "Six Pillars of Self-Esteem," I feel I'll be rereading this memoir every year or two.
Rating: 
Summary: Insincerity Reigns Supreme
Review: This book is painful to read, not because of what it says about Rand, but because of the obvious dishonesty on every page. This is a pack of lies from a professional liar. Thoroughly refuted by scholars like James Valliant, this book will go the way of the dodo.
Rating: 
Summary: Narcissism Lives
Review: This book is remarkable chiefly for Branden's limitless self-absorption. One gets the distinct impression that he actually thinks he's interesting. But . . . blowhard then, blowhard now.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome. Truly awesome. Bigger than Life itself.
Review: This book is the best of all of Dr. Branden's work. I'd recommend it to anyone, expecially teenagers looking for role models in today's society.Parents should learn more about Dr. Branden's exciting vision of psychology. I know, because his work helped my parents a lot in raising me.
Rating:
Summary: Super!
Review: This is a wonderful book! I read the book because I've read many of Dr. Branden's marvelous books on psychology and was curious about his life. I hadn't known much about Ayn Rand and Objectivism. His story is as exciting as a good novel. It's full of romance and suspense and great events. Couldn't stop reading!
Rating: 
Summary: The unauthorized Objectivist history and then some . . .
Review: What happens when a best-selling novelist-philosopher splits with her self-anointed intellectual heir? Answer: My Life with Ayn Rand by Nathaniel Branden. For those of us who find inspiration in Rand's tales of rugged individualism, Branden offers a personal memoir that humanizes the author of those tales. Branden begins the story as a 14 year-old boy whose life is changed by reading the FOUNTAINHEAD. Six Years later Branden would meet the author and their meeting would began a friendship-affair that would last 17 years. In Branden, Rand found a person who truly understood and could champion her unique views. Their philosophical chats evolved into Branden spearheading a series of New York City lectures. The lectures would become such that their influence spread across the country. During this time, Rand published her masterpiece ATLAS SHRUGGED. She also dubbed Branden her intellectual heir and began a love affair that would eventually ruin everything. But Ayn was 25 years older than the randy Nathan Branden. Nathan's eyes wandered to a veritable knockout of a student (Patrecia) and they began having a thing. Even the most devoted followers of Rand will understand Branden's dilemma when they see the young girl's modelesque photo. As you can guess, Rand wasn't too happy with Branden's scorn. The irony is that her philosophy doesn't allow a person to rationally protest a dissolution. According to objectivism, Branden shouldn't be made to live his life for another person, even if that person is the godmother of objectivism. It's nothing new for a philosopher to live less than the ideals of his/her belief, but somewhat disappointing that the idealistic Rand would fall short. You may want to read the book because you love Rand or hate her, but you'll enjoy Branden's frank and well-written account of their relationship regardless of your preconceived notions. I also liked that the memoir offers a history of the molding of objectivism. These were the days that Rand was expanding on her views and putting them in nonfiction written form. A lot of to like in this short history.
Rating:
Summary: A great and inspiring read!
Review: You don't even have to know who Ayn Rand was, or who Nathaniel Branden is, to love and enjoy this book. It is beautifully written. It is wonderfully dramatic. It is stimulatingly intellectual. It takes us into a world of passionate intellectuals caught up in passionate conflicts. I have read this book three times and am sure I will read it again--there is so much in it! What an adventure!
| 
