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Summary: ONLY CRAZYY!
Review: think,a men go crazy,and he write all his feelings about you and me!
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Summary: How This Book Is Relevant Today.
Review: Late one night after I had read the last page of Nietzsche's Zarathustra, and before rereading the first page, I fell asleep and dreamt a dream of all that logically went between: When Zarathustra was over one hundred and ten years old, and it was the appropriate time, he died in an out of the way place called Bethsaida (The New Testament place where Jesus' preaching was ignored).The sun did not rise and the rooster did not crow, prompting his frightened neighbors to summon a doctor and an exorcist - this being customary in such circumstances.Although an examination revealed some peculiar marks visible on Zarathustra's head, neck, chest, and ankles, these were dismissed as some type of permanent political stigmata; thus the death certificate was signed.Word of strange events then spread quickly throughout the town, and to soothe the worry of more naive minds the ecclesiastical authorities decided to place Zarathustra in mock trial. Propped up in a chair and held fast by ropes, the old man offered no resistance to the arrangement. A Catholic volunteered as prosecutor, a Protestant as judge, townspeople of varying descriptions acted as jury, and a popular baker represented the accused. "Here is the demon who even now manages to provoke our anguish with his legacy of atheistic malevolence. Let him be found guilty, then forgotten forever in the unhallowed ground" railed the prosecutor. As for the baker, being a simple man outside the established ways of theological and legal argument, his only recourse was to draw upon his own experience while speaking for the accused: "It may be a difficult leap to make, fellow citizens, but even here is the image of one deserving your love. Zarathustra's intention was not to destroy you or even to take anything away from you - it was to make you stronger! It is better to liken even his most merciless prods to the yeast which causes bread to rise to its full height.""That's quite irreverent, though it may be material," countered the prosecutor; "for in my church, before the sacrament of Eucharist is distributed, we draw on stocks of unleavened bread." Certainly, this was a promising point, but as it was now long past the time desirable for everyone's noontide meal, and the baker had the means to relieve their greatest emptiness, he decided to provide a tasty riposte: "In all appreciation of that exception, as it is I who provides all the bread in this district - including what the churches distribute to the poor - it should be pointed out that the supply of flour available for my helpers to gather has been diminishing, and only the prudent use of yeast can insure enough to feed everyone" Needless to say, the verdict eventually came in that everyone involved was ravenously hungry, which did much to expedite a decision on Zarathustra: And that is how he came to be buried, in sort of a compromise, beneath an unhallowed path immediately outside the narrow gate of the cemetery. Yet, not long after, three scruffy looking grave-robbers arrived to fetch him from where he was content to lay; a Marxist, an anarchist, and a gaunt faced national socialist. And while these three engaged in an acrimonious debate about who was Zarathustra's nearest relative, they dug up his material body and carried it away. Yes, stiffened arms jutting over supporting shoulders, and ramrod legs held in trembling hands, they stumbled away like drunken sailors returning to the safety of some familiar ship.What little reason remained soon gave way to emotions, as the three were so overwhelmed by their old master's predicament that they were incapable of recognizing his true condition. "Zarathustra wants to come with me" blubbered the Marxist. "His persistent posture indicates he is only battered and still unbowed." To this the gaunt faced national socialist replied, while bearing the burden on the other side, "Your brain is out of dialectical order, halt-foot! The fox feigns his injury, and your only reward will be a bite of my old values." Then holding up the feet and walking backwards, the anarchist insisted - as usual- in getting in the last word: "Far from having any immediate ambitions, it's obvious my uncooperative brother is determined to impede you."Soon, all that was left at the open grave was a discarded shovel, the only lantern the three had brought to know the way, and the odd flickering shadow of Zarathustra's spirit. This ghost sat on a big stone nearby, closer than any of them had dared to hope, and it waited until the declamation of the last follower died out in the wintery night air: "O restless dark day! You herald the approach of a new dawn!" Said Zarathustra's spirit. Then finding a more definitive aphorism rising in his throat, he summoned his animals to draw near; for wise enough to keep a respectable distance from the fray, they had only waited to hear. And although at first they didn't recognize Zarathustra's now child like countenance - which usually moved much slower, the bad poetry reassured them: "Lost and marooned are they who nourish themselves solely on what cannot be properly digested." Then speaking of higher men: "But truly blessed is the special one who miraculously increases what the helpers gather to give." Thus it was spoken, as in a dream.
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Summary: Awesome
Review: This book is the truest book ever written. Read it. Your world view will be changed dramatically. Nietzche challenges evey thing you took for granted.
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Summary: Nietzsche's greatest work
Review: This book is an amazing read for anyone interested in Nietzsche, free thought, or brilliant writing style. This book is a must for anyone who claims to be a philosopher. Never has a more meaningful and beautiful book been written. I would suggest reading some of Nietzsche's other works first, namely The Geneology of Morality, Human, All-Too Human, and Beyond Good and Evil, because otherwise one could misinterpret Zarathustra like so many others have.
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Summary: The most profound book ever given to man
Review: But just a small interpretational note: it is wrong to think of the superman as "the next step in evolution." Evolution has nothing to do with it: I call attention to Ecce Homo, where he talks of "scholarly oxen" who identified the superman with some Darwinian idea; they have nothing to do with each other: Nietzsche's hitoricism is not linear and "climactic," but circular and monumentalistic. He calls not just the ideal of Social-Darwinist evolution, but also all liberal "progress" into question.I also recommend that one read most of Nietzsche's earlier works before this one, particularly Human All-Too Human or The Dawn, and perhaps also The Gay Science. Otherwise one is bound to midunderstand most of Zarathustra. Also, I recommend that one abandon all ideals before reading this utterly un-idealistic book: those who search for ideals in Zarathustra, who try to make an ideal out of the superman or anything else in it, will be wrong; this is from Nietzsche's mouth, or rather, pen. This book exhibits for the reader descriptions of various psychological states: esoteric and profound states, which almost none of you are likely to have experienced. Therefore you are almost invariably going to misunderstand the whole book. Nietzsche told his friend Peter Gast that the ability to understand six sentences of Zarathustra is a mark of distinction beyond all others, and one which no modern man is likely to earn.
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Summary: One of the most important books of the last century
Review: Friedrich Nietzsche was a "failure" in his time. He was branded a nihilist and heretic and his works dismissed as the ramblings of a mad man. After the Great War many philosophers such as Heidegger resurected the works of Nietzsche and Kierkegaard (to name a few) and studied them with greater admiration. We should be thankful that the works of such an imaginative genius such as Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was called into the spotlight. Nietzsche constructed one of the most original and radical philosophies in all its history, as challenging to everyday life as Karl Marx. His ideas still send shockwaves through the Christian community because so much of what he says is blatantly obvious and true. Most people dismiss Nietzsche's slogan that "God is dead", but in this work Nietzsche truly refines this statement and incorporates brilliant ideas about living for the Earth, striving to become Der Ubermensch and the path to release from Christianities chains. The main theme of this book is that which Nietzshce will probably be best remembered for, but for all the wrong reasons. Nietzsche's vision of the "Superman" (der Ubermensch) was an idea that his sister, in co-operation with Hitler, twisted to begin the Nazi experiments for the Superrace. The Superman is at the centre of this book and Nietzsche gives a perfect description of his vision and furthermore what it will incorporate and help to abolish. It soon becomes clear that Nietzsche's Superman is far different from Hitler's, furthermore because it is not as brutal and inhumane and lastly because it centres around completely different principals: HItler wanted a physical Superman, but Nietzsche's Superman would be MENTALLY strong rather than purely physically. THe language in this book is amazing. Whether Walter Kauffman's translation has buttered it up or not is beyond my capacity to comment on, but the poetry (not prose) that Nietzsche uses is comparible to the likes of Shakespeare. The ammount of metaphors that Nietzsche draws is immense, and he beautifully illustrates all his main points without a single drawing. This is a brilliant masterpiece, whether you agree with every point that Nietzsche makes (and few do) you will still be able to appreciate the beautiful poetry. And still, how ever much you may disagree, this book is thought provoking and seems to shake your entire world upside down. It is far more preferal to Anton Scanzor LaVey "interpretation" of the Nietzschean philosophy in "the Satanic Bible" and is a must-read!
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Summary: Best version available
Review: Zarathustra speaks to the strength of spirit within each of us. A very empowering piece of art (though unfortunately this empowerment has been notably misconstrued, not unlike the Bible). Common's version is much truer to the German form than Kaufmann's (JMHO).
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Summary: A thought-provoking and mind-expanding book
Review: I had heard so many aphorisms and blurbs about Nietzsche and his philosophy, I felt that I had no choice but to learn more about this interesting philosopher. I purchased this book and Beyond Good and Evil, started the latter, but found it a tad too dry after a week. I had skimmed Thus Spoke Zarathustra, and found it far more flamboyant and stylistic (to my taste), so I devoted my time reading to it. And what a great book it is! What a departure from what other philosophers speak! Nietzsche teaches us the overman, the next step of our evolution; and to achieve the goal of the overman, we must not sustain or merely improve current state, but conquer it. The material in this book is like nothing I have ever read before. Chapter IV is very satisfying, especially "On the Higher Man". Some chapters may require you to reread them in order to understand the quintessence of Nietzsche's message, but this is hardly any sacrifice compared to what knowledge you have to gain. "The most concerned ask today: 'How is man to be preserved?' But Zarathustra is the first and only one to ask: 'How is man to be overcome?'" - On the Higher Man, section 3
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Summary: One of the most influential books of recent history
Review: Few people will ever realise the importance this small volume had in shaping the 20th century. From it's influence in the build up to the Great War to it's misinterpretation by the Nazis, Zarathustra is one of the most influential books in recent history. Yet, Zarathustra is far from the impenetrable philosophical treaties one might imagine. It can be challenging in places, disturbing in others, but like all great books it is at its best after you have put it down and turned off the light. A masterpiece.
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Summary: Zarathustra: Nietzsche's Political Culmination
Review: Coupled with the Gay Science, Zarathustra reveals that there is more to Nietzsche than anti-liberal and anti-Christian no-saying. Through the thoughts and travails of Zarathustra, Nietzsche offers a positive political vision based on a small spiritual aristocracy absorbed in creative self-redefinition. Nietzsche's seminal work also provides insight into his views on his own status vis-a-vis "the new philosophers" he describes: he sees himself as the bridge to the overman, but only a bridge because of his inability to totally escape Christian-dominated metaphysical constructs. A stinging rebuke to all those who claim that Nietzsche lacks a constructive politics.
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