Customer Reviews:
 Very much maligned and misunderstood October 18, 2000
67 out of 87 found this review helpful
Of all the philosophers you are ever likely to come across, Nietzsche is perhaps the easiest to read. His creative prose is graceful and poetic, whilst his aphoristic style delivers quick, witty and deeply profound insights.
However, whilst his writings are the easiest to read, they are also the hardest to truly understand - and most of the time this is completely intentional.
The result of this is that people dip into his works and come away believing that they fully understand Nietzsche's philosophy, when in reality they have allowed snippets of insight to snowball in entirely the wrong directions, resulting in gross misinterpretations. Look up the case of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb for the most extreme example of this.
Unfortunately, the only way to truly understand the development of Nietzsche's thought is to study all his works, beginning with the Birth of Tragedy and ending with Ecce Homo (and possibly The Will to Power, providing it is understood in context). It is also necessary to have a good background knowledge of antique philosophy and more recent 'influences' such as Spinoza, Kant, Hegel & Schopenhauer. Only in this way is it possible to ever come close to the true meaning behind these works.
However, Nietzsche's work is prolific - and most people will have neither the time nor the inclination to undertake this kind of project. Therefore, it is advisable to at least read a couple of introductory texts before diving into a book like this.
Nietzsche's best book July 2, 2000
14 out of 38 found this review helpful
Essential! Nietzsche at his best. His most focused work.BGE is essentially a collection of notes from underground expounding how we should reassess ourselves & evolve to higher states (individuate?). Nietzsche, as a man, experiences & relays depths perhaps previously unplundered. Like all of Nietzsche's writings BGE is unerringly enigmatic, intense, & mesmeric if, however, fraught with a certain paradox. I have greatly enjoyed this book, although in retrospect I don't think Nietzsche ever quite became the Ubermench/Superman he sought to be. Just because everything mentioned is true (what isn't?) doesn't necessarily make it good for the soul! spnz37@hotmail.com
 The worst book on ethics I have ever read June 13, 2000
6 out of 256 found this review helpful
I bought this book for my daughter for her nineteeth birthday. She is busy at present studying the joys of philosophy, so I decided that this book - on the topics of good and evil - would be an excellent addition to her bookshelf. Was I mistaken. Luckily I had the chance to read the volume before giving it to her. Best left unread.
In At The Deep End: The Best Introduction To Nietzsche. April 14, 1999
76 out of 82 found this review helpful
"Beyond Good And Evil" was written immediately after Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" and contains none of its elaborate metaphors and imagery. "Zarathustra" was literature compared to this book. This is mature Nietzsche, the philosopher, at his most witty, most serious, and most perpetually devastating. All of the classic Nietzsche themes are present here; most notably and consummately the Will To Power. Chapter 4 consists of 122 razor-edged aphorisms, each only one or two sentences in length, which slice through the skin of human ulterior motive and the flesh of psychology, right down to the bones of mankind. Other chapters deal with the prejudices of philosophers, history of morals, people and nations, religion and "free-spirits" with the same healthy scepticism. Nietzsche never entangles the reader in nets of abstract philosophical systems or lengthy and boring dissertation as most philosophers are compelled to do. "Beyond Good And Evil" is always to the point and the density of the language is far outweighed by the prolific content and profundity of thought. What at first glance may seem to be lead is revealed as pure gold with a scratch to the surface. For the uninitiated reader, all it takes is a little patience, (and perhaps, occasionally, a dictionary!) to unlock the books undeniable value for those "philosophers of the future" to whom "Beyond Good And Evil" is dedicated. Nietzsche went on to outline his philosophy further in other truly great books, but "Beyond Good And Evil" represents a pinnacle in his work and is the best introduction to his philosophy. Nietzsche challenges his readers; he does not command but bids us to take a look through different eyes, and then to view ourselves, our wise men, and the world. And, above all, enquire.
A powerful, witty, and intellectually challenging work. July 21, 1998
2 out of 10 found this review helpful
Not since the days of Aristotle has the product of one mind had such a vast and yet sadly unnoticed effect on the manner in which people go about their lives; not even Karl Marx can boast when compared with the profound effects Nietzche's philosophy has wrought on our often unknowing modern minds. Possibly the greatest philosopher of the last Nietzsche, the philosopher with a hammer, revels in tearing down delusions and vanaties of our "civilized tastes," replacing them instead with what first seems to be a stark, cold, and meaningless Truth. But all is well, for when lies and illusion are stripped, all that remains is freedom, both emotional and intellectual. What most in popular culture fail to realize is that Nietzsche's philosophy is about joy more than anything; it is about liberation and zest for life in the absence of oppressive moralizing forces. Through his witty and conversational style, Nietzsche ushers in an new era in writing and philosophy! , and along the way he makes us laugh on more than one occasion.
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