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Summary: Not just for true believers
Review: While I don't worship Nietzsche as I did when I was young, I think this is a very challenging and worthwhile book. Even people who don't accept Nietzsche's basic approach to life can learn much from it, if they read it with an open (but skeptical) mind. All of Nietzsche's key ideas are here and are presented more lucidly than in Zarathustra and more sanely than in his last works. Even better than the big ideas are the seemingly random insights that can illuminate a whole new area of thought. There are also, it's true, some really stupid passages, such as the comments on women, but overall the gold far outweighs the dross.
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Summary: Don't be fooled people !
Review: I guess a lot of people are not able to bask in the wisdom of Friedrich Nietzsche. "Beyond Good and Evil" is an extraordinary tour de force of philosophy. The questions that the German philosopher asks forces one to rethink about all of what he believes to be "true". Yes, Nietzsche's philosophy is cryptic, agressive and pretty much uncomfortable for many of us, yet he breaks down barriers of thought like no one did before him. Please, don't be repulsed by his extreme opinions. Let yourself be tempted by his thought (even if it means embracing for mere moments what we would gladly call mysogyny) and you shall see that Nietzsche was no mere madman (remember though that madness and genius are often well aquainted). I'm not saying that Nietzsche is always right. Yet, I find many of his aphorisms (even the most extreme) at least seductive. Christians beware : this book may not please you at all for it attacks relentlessly the Christian faith and its values. For those who dare, do yourself a favor and read through this masterpiece.
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Summary: The preferable translation.
Review: At this time, the best English-language translation is that of Marion Faber for Oxford World's Classics. Not only does it exceed the others in its fidelity to Nietzsche's painstakingly crafted style, it also facilitates a much clearer articulation of Nietzsche's powerful, subtle, and difficult ideas.
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Summary: you have to read it to believe it
Review: This book is absolutely incredible. A book of philosophy that is also a real page-turner. This a great book to read for those (like me) who are not accustomed to reading philosophy and therefore is not familiar with jargons of philosophy. Nietzsche writes in an engaging, sharp and acessible manner without dumbing down any of his challenging ideas.Everyone should read this book, regardless of whether they agree with Nietzsche's views or not. His writing is truly thought-provoking without resorting to weak shock tactics.
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Summary: can you all have it all wrong??
Review: I have read Beyond Good and Evil one time completely through. Ive had the book for many years but could never really fathom the book in its entirity. Recently I have been blessed with a further reaching insight into said book. Believe what i say when i tell you of the further reaching information that is available from Nietzsche. It is not enough to read it and disseminate it as you will. There is a specific purpose to his writings and I firmly have grasped them. Then just to see that I am not insane I browse through commentaries by laymen and learned alike---what I find in every case thus far is, at best, a banal intellectual review. There are very specific warnings and guides in his books--(especially good and evil and Zarathustra) they are hidden in meaning as is the style of his writings. Look upon his writing as you would a hologram; at once it appears one way but if you ruminate long enough you may find that the image --changes-----
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Summary: as good as nietzsche is, read david berman instead
Review: david berman's actual air has hit the world like an anvil. it makes zarathustra look like cotton candy..."actual air" is the ACTUAL air of the postdialectical diacritic diarrhetics - the stuff he went to the top of the mountain for buy these books
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Summary: In At The Deep End: The Best Introduction To Nietzsche.
Review: "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.
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Summary: why can you only rate up to 5 stars?
Review: This is my favorite book of all time. From reading BGE I have found a kindred spirit in Nietzche. He presents in this book an amazing view of the world; it might seem over-critical to many but I find it humorous and uplifting. When I have been found reading this book by other people, I always hear: "Nietzche? Oh, he's interesting, just too pessimistic for me." "Nietzche? You shouldn't read his works; you'll get depressed." These people obviously don't understand his works: this is one of the most truthfully optimistic books I have ever read. This is a book for those who love life and the world but dislike society.
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Summary: A powerful, witty, and intellectually challenging work.
Review: 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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Summary: incomparable
Review: This book happens to be my personal favorite. No one, not even Plato or Montaigne or Freud, surpasses the sort of brilliance displayed here, on every page, in every line. BGE demands as many rereadings as we can attempt.By the way, I also think that giving someone a copy of this book is about the best gift idea possible. I heartily recommend the Kaufmann translation to every intelligent reader.
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