For anyone who's wondered about Ayn Rand, this has all the dirt - from a MUCH younger man who was her lover for many years and to whom she originally dedicated Atlas Shrugged. He later became a psychiatrist (a profession which Ayn Rand always loathed, considering the subconscious the "sewer" of the mind).Ayn Rand used to make her husband take "walks" so that she could have sex with Brandon on her desk. My friend once wrote a paper about how she liked sex rough and certainly the rape scenes in he...

Some background...soon after leaving the safe haven of college and beginning what would be a slow progression toward an actual "profession," I discovered Ayn Rand. My father had recommended _Atlas Shrugged_ years before, which I read with some degree of tedium...but that´s another Goodreads review. Suffice it to say that, being a young, naive, somewhat disoriented, reasonably intelligent person who was trying to make sense of the Real World, I glommed onto Ayn Rand's militant flavor of individua...

Having read and reviewed Barbara Branden’s biography of Ayn Rand and several of Rand’s books, I thought it might be very useful to get the perspective of someone Ayn rejected, Nathaniel Branden. One does get a different sense of Rand from this rather self-absorbed, but very interesting, memoir. Clearly Rand delighted in having young acolytes falling on her every word and interpretation, and she was not particularly tolerant toward ideas that sprang from other brains. This book provides a detaile...

Just when I had discovered Ayn Rand and she had created a revolution in my thinking, Barbara Branden's biography, The Passion of Ayn Rand came out. I think if there had been any danger I'd become a "Randroid" as I've heard some describe it, this book did put paid to that, because goodness the book did do a good job of idol smashing--and I think that's healthy actually if we're going to judge Rand by her ideas--and not worship her (or condemn her) unthinkingly.Mind you, Barbara Branden did have g...

What a bunch of wackos.

A coming of age story, with all the drama worthy of Ayn Rand. Those who have ever been heavily involved in cult-like groups and then broken away will relate to this story.

Прочетох книгата с чисто опознавателна цел, защото ми се искаше да опозная повече човешката същина на личността Айн Ранд. Нейният личен живот е неприкосновена територия, и колкото и да изглежда скандален за някои, това не отменя факта за гениалния ум на Айн Ранд и нейната разтърсваща философия.Тук също открих тази толкова ярка индивидуалност и автентичност на Ранд, която струеше и от редовете на нейните книги. Просто тя влага частица от себе си в своите творения и усещането за нейната същина е п...

Awful writing. I mean, awful. Branden writes like a third-rate romantic novelist. And there is literally no one to like in this story, at least as he portrays them. However, as a key to understanding Rand I regret to say that this is probably indispensable. And bear in mind that Branden still largely agrees with his personal Mrs. Robinson's "philosophy". Look, the fact that she had an affair with someone half her age doesn't make Ayn Rand a bad person. She took care of that in many other ways. B...

As one who both hates the "philosophy" of Ayn Rand and is fascinated by her as a person, I found this biography to be an addictive read. It's a no-holds-barred, invasive expose by her former lover, a much younger man. Need I say more?

It's odd how people assume you are a Rand fan when you read her work and other books about her. Rand was guilty of this herself. I find her and Objectivism interesting but flawed, in its one dimensional and limiting emphasis on individualism and selfishness. Reading her work brings your values into focus.I've heard various politicians, pundits and educators employ Objectivist principles to justify their positions, without acknowledging the source. Some, like the writers for the TV show, "Mad Men...

Ayn Rand's Objectivist philosophy and movement, of which Nathaniel Branden was a key player during the 1950s and 60s, influenced politics, finance, literature, movies and self-help psychology. Branden's "Judgment Day" is a brutal, tell-all book about twisted relationships and a cult that developed around Ayn Rand. The only Rand book I read was her novel, "The Fountainhead," around mid-adolescence and then was not impressed. I kept my luke-warm opinion of Rand's writing to myself because I was fl...

If you can get past how full of himself Branden is, it's tolerable. At least he's unashamed of it. Fluid writer. Of course he imagines himself constructing a "stylized universe" like Rand in his set-ups and portrayals. This truly comes to light in the conclusion. Difficult to tolerate his dialogue at times (too transparent and plot-driven)... however still an interesting (and difficult to digest) view of Rand. Amusing insight into the mind of a psychotherapist.

This not-so-flattering portral was my introduction to Rand. As a result, I didn't go ga-ga over her like so many people do in their 20s when they discover her. I was already suspiscious of her motives and skeptical about her theories before ever reading Atlas or Fountainhead.

This is the most fascinating book I have ever read.

Fascintaing insight into psychologist Branden and philosopher Rand as well as a perfect guide in how NOT to have an open relationship

Is it possible to have a worthy hero?

The author offers a good insight into Rand’s philosophy and life, with some important lessons, but I found the work a little bit self-serving. It provides a sober look at the worship of objectivism and reason.

This book changed my life. Nathaniel Branden is a great writer. I especially liked how this book told what it was like being in Ayn's group. I was worried that this book would change the way I think about Ayn and her philosophy, but Nathaniel did a great job making sure to express the validity of Objectivism, the fact that he still agreed with it, and how life enriching it is. This memoir is written with truth and clear judgment.

If you've been around here since I started reading this book, you know I was expecting something kinda trashy, kinda campy, like the movie The Passion of Ayn Rand (starring Helen Mirren!). Y'know, lurid sex, some frothing at the mouth, some mink, some diamonds, some trains, all that. Alas, My Years With Ayn Rand is slow and thoughtful—sober and sympathetic rather than exploitative, relatively mature and introspective rather than angry. Written by Nathaniel Branden, who for many years was Rand's

The rating is based primarily on its entertainment value, which is fantastic: sex! Lies! Objectivism! Good stuff, good, good stuff. I did find the conclusion to be quite profound: "I'm thinking about what Ayn's and my world was really about....There's a...need...to experience an ecstatic state of consciousness. An experience that shatters the ordinary walls of reality and lifts a person to another plane and another level of feeling entirely. Some people seek that experience in religion and in th...

This is a fascinating account of the disturbing life of Ayn Rand, by her equally disturbed protégé and much younger married lover, Nathaniel Braden. The copy I have is the original account, I believe, which was redacted rather quickly to become "My Years with Ayn Rand," and sold under the later title after that. I don't personally know what the differences between the two editions are and I'm probably not ever going to find out because I don't want to wade through it all again. But that's okay w...

Anyone who has read Ayn Rand's books absolutely needs to read this autobiography by Rand's former partner. It gives a context to her stories, as well as presenting a balance to her incomplete philosophy.

Branden's tell all, of what his life was like with AR, her behavior, dishonesty, harm done to others. Depressed, angry, raging, self/other destructive, (not your girl next door), or your lofty intellectual. Branden does well with this, and I believe there is more to come.