This anthology of Nietzsche's writing is a marvelous work - Kaufmann's translations make the philosopher's unique style accessible and interesting to the English reader; it doesn't resort to false formality or dry academic prose as is often the case in translation of such material, but rather sets things in lively and dynamic tones, much as Nietzsche's own writing and tendency toward the dramatic was noted by his contemporaries.Nietzsche's father was a Lutheran minister, but he died five years after Nietzsche's birth in 1844. Nietzsche was raised by his mother, grandmother and aunts; later in his life, his sister would become executor of his estate (after Nietzsche had become incapable of managing his own affairs) and reshape his philosophy and writings in her own idea - this becomes a running motif in later anthologies of Nietzsche; editors can quote and clip to fit their own agendas. In some ways, that is true of Kaufmann's text here, but in much less inappropriate ways than others, particularly Nietzsche's first editor, his sister.
Nietzsche was a star pupil from his earliest days at university in Bonn and Leipzig. His formal study was in classical philology, but his attentions turned in various directions quickly during his writing and professional life - he had an intense interest in drama and the arts, with Wagner's music and Greek drama in principal interest. His first book was devoted to these topics - 'The Birth of Tragedy'. It was not highly regarded at the time, but has since become much more appreciated as an anticipation of later developments in philosophy and aesthetics.
Nietzsche's life after this period was a very choppy one - he left the university, claiming illness, and while this developed later to be a true situation, at the time is was probably academic politics and difficulties fitting in with the establishment he was trying to break. He had a formal falling-out with Wagner, even writing later a piece entitled ' Nietzsche contra Wagner', finished just a few week prior to his going insane.
Kaufmann states in the introduction that Nietzsche's real career took off after his active life was over; under his sister's direction, many of the writings Nietzsche had managed to do and not get published, or which were published but forgotten, really took off in major directions. While his major works of Zarathustra, Ecce Homo, Will to Power and Genealogy of Morals were in various editions of disrepair (inded, the Will to Power was never more complete than a series of notes), Nietzsche had a knack for language that made him very quotable, and his influence continued to grow well into the first half of the twentieth century, influencing art, philosophy, history, and politics in dramatic ways, if not always the ways in which Nietzsche envisioned.
For example, Nietzsche was not particularly impressed with the 'typical' German anti-semitism, which later erupted into the Nazi movement. He considered it rather bourgeois, and while he undoubted had his own issues with Jews (Nietzsche had issues with almost everyone, particularly any group, Christians included, who had a religious connection), the Nazi use of Nietzsche's work owes more to Nietzsche's sister's influence than anyone else.
Kaufmann here presents a chronology of Nietzsche (his life and his publications after his death); a brief bibliography, excerpts from correspondence and essays, and major selections from 'Thus Spake Zarathustra', 'Twilight of the Idols', 'The Antichrist', and other major works. Almost all of the writings are presented in new translations by Kaufmann.
This is one of the best single-volumes of Nietzsche available, reprinted dozens of times since its original publication.
Only 2 points need to be made about this book:1. It contains full texts of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Twilight of the Idols, and The Antichrist, and Nietzsche contra Wagner, plus all the greatest passsages from his other books.
2. It is translated by Kaufmann, and Kaufmann tranlsations are the best
Simple, if you love Nietzsche and your collections do not comply with points 1 or 2, then you need this book.
In Ecce Homo, Nietzsche writes: "...It seems to me that to take a book of mine into his hands is one of the rarest distinctions anyone can confer upon himself - I even assume he removes his shoes when he does so."The words in the review summary, and also immediately above, demonstrate both the impact Nietzsche believed his writings would come to have, and the wonderfully sarcastic tone evident in much of his work.
Walter Kaufmann included some inspiring sections from Ecce Homo, as indeed he has done with many of Nietzsche's most valuable published works and unpublished notes and letters etc. This is, of course, in addition to the complete and unabridged texts of Nietzsche's four major works.
Kaufmann's introduction provides much welcome biographical information on Nietzsche; in addition, a preface to each of the major chapters is included. I felt that Kaufmann's contribution substantially added to my experience of the book. He seemed always to be close to hand when difficult terminology was encountered. As a result of this positive experience, I have gone on to buy a further two books edited by Walter Kaufmann.
If you buy this book, I am convinced you will agree that almost every page exposes the reader to challenging, inspirational and (at least upon first encountering it) harrowing material. If one should happen upon a page of relative calm, why not linger awhile and enjoy the poetic brilliance of Nietzsche's rhapsodic writing, his cutting humour and that wonderful, wonderful sarcasm!...
