After reading "The Fountainhead," I wasn't converted into an Objectivist either. What I find troubling is that you should pose such (implied) questions as..."Who should I believe? Upon whose philosophy should I base my life?" Isn't that what you want to know? "Should I replace my belief in Christianity (or what have you) with adherance to Objectivist ideals?" My answer is "No." Understand that when you seek a belief system to follow...YOU BECOME A FOLLOWER...and when you're "following" how can you ever see for yourself what is up ahead? I'm half-tempted to suggest that you re-read The Fountainhead...but, if all you are looking for is a simple set of rules by which to live your life, and a simple set of explanations for the world...then I do have to suggest that you don't re-read Rand...it will be a waste of your time. I, myself, have gained a great deal from her writings, but only because she so eloquently stated some of what I already know, and can understand. I cannot accept her philosophy as my own (actually, no one can)...but I can explore some of the new lands that she exposed to the world...if anything, try to appreciate that...the exploration she has done...oh...and I REALLY hope that you understand the idea that being a looter is really, really bad...because I really, really hate looters.