It was called «The Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of Music.» In a preface, subsequently published, the author, whose style had in the mean time undergone a complete transformation, bids us observe that «behind this questionable book lay a problem of the first rank and enticement, but likewise a deep personal interest.» Certain is it that in «The Birth of Tragedy» we may discern «that unbodied figure of the thought, which gave it surmised shape.»… Nietzsche's grasp of the whole Greek literature is masterly. But even more remarkable is the insight which leads him to deal with it as a symbol and expression of that complex world which we know as the life of the Greeks.—From the Quarterly Review, 1896.
Considered one of Friedrich Nietzsche's most important works, «The Genealogy of Morals» is a collection of three essays concerning the author's «thoughts on the origin of our moral prejudices.» In the three essays («Good and Evil, Good and Bad», " «Guilt, Bad Conscience, and the like», and «What is the meaning of ascetic ideals?») Nietzsche reflects upon the genealogical hypothesis of morality put forth in Paul Rée's work «The Origin of the Moral Sensations». Finding this theory unsatisfactory, Nietzsche calls for an examination of moral values themselves; writing that «the value of these values themselves must be called into question.»
First released in 1901, about one year after Nietzsche's death, «The Will to Power» is a collection of Nietzsche's unedited and unpublished writings. Though the title and all of the ideas are of the radical philosopher's own invention, the order and selection of Nietzsche's notebooks are due to the organization of his sister. As a result of his poor health, Nietzsche used his remaining energy to write a different work, leaving «The Will to Power» in the earliest stages of writing. The topics he explores vary widely and include nihilism, religion, morality, the theory of knowledge, and art. Some ideas are reflected in the works Nietzsche managed to complete in his lifetime, while others show his progression toward those ideas in his earlier life. Overall, «The Will to Power» is an opportunity to read the intellectual journaling of one of the nineteenth century's most brilliant thinkers.
"Human, All-Too-Human (Parts I and II)" is a collection of philosophical aphorisms by famed philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. The first part, originally published in 1878, is a collection of 638 aphorisms in which Nietzsche discusses metaphysics, the Christian idea of good and evil, religious worship, the idea of divine inspiration in art, social Darwinism, the respective roles of men, women and children in society, the power of the state, and in a final section “Man Alone with Himself”. In the second part we find what were originally published as parts II (1879) and III (1880), which contains 408 and 350 aphorisms respectively. Friedrich Nietzsche is widely regarded as one the most important philosophers of all time and that impact is ever apparent in this book, an accessible volume of thoughts upon social, religious, cultural, political and psychological issues.
"The Case of Wagner" is a critique of German composer Richard Wagner in which Friedrich Nietzsche makes a very public split with the musician. Nietzsche found himself at odds with Wagner's increasing involvement in the Völkisch movement and anti-Semitism. The critique of Wagner is something that is seen throughout Nietzsche's work, beginning with «The Birth of Tragedy», wherein he praised Wagner as fulfilling a need in music to go beyond the analytic and dispassionate understanding of music. Further praise for the musician can be found in Nietzsche's essay 'Wagner at Bayreuth', contained in «Untimely Meditations». However in «Human, All Too Human», Nietzsche begins to express his disillusion with Wagner the composer and the man. «The Case of Wagner» was one of the last works authored by Nietzsche. It was followed by «Nietzsche contra Wagner», also included in this edition, in which Nietzsche summarizes his criticisms of Wagner from his previous writings.
Written between 1873 and 1876, The «Untimely Meditations», or «Thoughts out of Season» is a collection of four essays by famed philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. In the first essay 'David Strauss: the Confessor and the Writer', Nietzsche attacks David Strauss's «The Old and the New Faith: A Confession». In the second essay 'On the Use and Abuse of History for Life', Nietzsche presents an alternative way of reading history, one where living life becomes the primary concern. In the third essay 'Schopenhauer as Educator', Nietzsche describes how the philosophic genius of Schopenhauer might bring on a resurgence of German culture. In the fourth and final essay 'Richard Wagner in Bayreuth', Nietzsche investigates the music, drama and personality of Richard Wagner. Nietzsche originally planned this work to comprise thirteen essays but it is suggested that he lost interest in the work after writing just four. In this early philosophical work one can begin to see the development of a brilliant philosophical mind, which would become more evidenced by his later works.
"Beyond Good and Evil" is Nietzsche at his best. In the book the philosopher attempts to systematically sum up his philosophy through a collection of 296 aphorisms grouped into nine different chapters based on their common theme. For the reader who has yet to discover Nietzsche in this translation by Helen Zimmern will be found a fabulous introduction. For those who have already discovered Nietzsche here you will find the opportunity to understand the whole of Nietzsche's philosophy.
Friedrich Nietzsche's «The Antichrist» might be more aptly named «The Antichristian,» for it is an unmitigated attack on Christianity that Nietzsche makes within the text instead of an exposition on evil or Satan as the title might suggest. In «The Antichrist,» Nietzsche presents a highly controversial view of Christianity as a damaging influence upon western civilization that must come to an end. Regardless of ones religious or philosophical point of view, «The Antichrist» makes for an engaging philosophical discourse.
“Ecco Homo: How One Becomes What One Is” is an insightful reflection by Friedrich Nietzsche upon his own life and his impact on the world of philosophy. The work, the last original work he wrote, was written in 1888, weeks before the onset of the insanity that would plague him until his death in 1900. Not published until 1908, “Ecce Homo” is an autobiography of sorts and Nietzsche offers his personal perspective and criticism on his various philosophical works, such as “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”, “Beyond Good and Evil”, “The Twilight of the Idols”, and more. In this revealing and self-aware book the reader gains great insight into how Nietzsche weighed his previous works and their significance in history, as well as an intimate look at how he saw himself as both a human and a philosopher. He is surprisingly self-deprecating and sardonic and refreshingly does not take himself as seriously as one may imagine. He gives his last opinions on his many enemies and ends with a final reiteration of his core philosophy, a rejection of the Christian ideal that asserts suffering as a noble necessity of life and of Christianity as the bastion of supreme morality. This edition includes a biographical afterword, an introduction by translator Anthony M. Ludovici, and an appendix of some of Nietzsche’s final poetry.
First released in 1901, about one year after Nietzsche’s death, “The Will to Power” is a collection of Nietzsche’s unedited and unpublished writings. Though the title and all of the ideas are of the radical philosopher’s own invention, the order and selection of Nietzsche’s notebooks are due to the organization of his sister. As a result of his poor health, Nietzsche used his remaining energy to write a different work, leaving “The Will to Power” in the earliest stages of writing. The topics he explores vary widely and include nihilism, religion, morality, the theory of knowledge, and art. Some ideas are reflected in the works Nietzsche managed to complete in his lifetime, while others show his progression from those ideas in his earlier life. Overall, “The Will to Power” is an opportunity to read the intellectual journaling of one of the nineteenth century’s most brilliant thinkers. Collected together here are both posthumously published volumes I and II as translated by Anthony M. Ludovici. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.