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Summary: An essential core of Nietzsche's thought
Review: An excellent collection of Nietzsche's works. His philosophy marked the major turning point of philosophy, away from inflexible, rational, absolute truth. His ideas are not the most rigorously developed, but he paved the way for far more devastating refutations in the form of Heidegger and Wittgenstein. He could most rightly be said to be to philosophy what Darwin was to science.
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Summary: This book will change your life.
Review: For those of you who do not regularly study philosophy, this book is still for you. Nietzsche's writings allowed me to see the world in a completely different light.
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Summary: Not THAT kind of hammer !
Review: I love Nietzsche, just not most of the people who read him.
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Summary: Essential Nietzsche
Review: If one has studied Nietzsche long, one will often find themselves with individual copies of each of Nietzsche's works. The Basic Writings of Nietzsche becomes indispensible in that it contains many of the essential writings of Nietzsche in a single tome.As one reviewer stated, it would have been much better had The Gay Science been included, but that means I have to only carry 3 books now (Basic Writings of Nietzsche, Portable Nietzsche, and the Gay Science) instead of the usual 10-15.
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Summary: Trash!!
Review: Kaufmann is the absolute WORST translator Nietzsche's writings have ever had to endure. Not to mention his blatant bastardization of Nietzsche's philosophy, which was carried out to ensure its marketability. Kaufmann liberalizes, humanizes (actually dehumanizes) Nietzsche's agonal thinking and renders it comfortably digestible to the sickened, hypocritical sensiblities of the very people N. battled against! Nietzsche does not deserve to be defiled by simple-mindedness!! The beauty, the unexcelled sweetness and tightness of Nietzsche's prose is brutalized and vulgarized by reckless cretinism. Do you want to EXPERIENCE Nietzsche's philosophy, or do you want a perverted, feminized simulacrum? Despite the herd's hysterical embrace, Nietzsche remains UNKNOWN, though the entire human race shout themselves to death to convince others of their "Nietzscheanism" (contradiction!). Kaufmann fails.
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Summary: If you haven't read his work, you aren't well read
Review: Let me make one thing clear--I disagree with Nietzsche. Like all atheists, he doesn't understand Christianity--especially Catholicism. However, as a reviewer it is not my duty to express that, I am obligated to tell you whether or not to read this book. You should. It is a nice background in existentialism, and you must understand that school of philosophy. If you would like to hear my side of the story read Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, The Confessions of Augustine, and finally, a little known tome called the Bible. If you are a Nietzsche fan, I recommend Voltaire's Candide. Existentialism is not without its merits. Nietzsche wasn't all about dissing God. However, the theological assertions of Nietzsche aren't convincing to any ardent Catholic. Still, read the book.
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Summary: As a general introduction to Nietzsche's works
Review: My purpose is to advise new readers of Nietzsche to trust W. Kaufmann's handling of Nietzsche's works. Apart from Hollandale, few good English translations of N's works would exist were it not for W.K. It is not essential to agree with all of W.K's interpretations of N. in order to refer to the present work as an important introduction and overview. As W.K. will himself advise you, there is no substitute for reading the original works of N., but some definite value can be made from taking W.K's interpretations and applying them as a counterpoint to your own investigations. Consider your encounter with N. as a process. W.K. is an important part of engaging N's unique mind and extraordinary outputs in the English language.
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Summary: Find comfort in the Void
Review: Nietzsche is often seen by the all-to-many as an insane man, where at best his aphorisms are nice to throw around at the dinner table. These simple minded fellows should stick to their beliefs in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy! Mind you, Nietzsche has been recognized as Germany's greatest lyricist -- this form of writing is very informal and is effective in conveying snippets of thoughts. The parts do add up to a whole and that wondrous whole is gorgeous. I began reading Nietzsche at the age of 11, my mother had the above book in her library -- for a poor and suffering boy, Nietzsche stands as Messiah!
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Summary: I like and understand Nietzsche.
Review: Nietzsche was the first enunciator of what modern man calls "humdingers". His is a philsophy any self respecting philosophy afficionado should read and assimilate. The tacit and the overt themes throughout his maxims and manifestos are absolutely soul racking.
I found that his Frankenstein Paradigm was his most fascinating. In it he explains that all sexual deviance was derived from the exotic thoughts of the Proletariate and their archetypes of what perversion was. His entire schema of the perfect man, or in his own parlance, the Knifeduggler, is an absolute watershed in modern philosophy! I am excited even writing about it!
Lofty thoughts such as the rise of the "absolute caucasian" makes my proverbial hat spin! During a discussion with my philosophy friends we all chortled and clicked glasses just debating it. There are so many tangents to be drawn; all welcome excursions of thought. How delightful his teachings are!
If you are reading the hackeyed teachings of such inept constituents like Satray, Kunt, or Gollum; I implore you to drop those books like a pair of Sunday school trousers and give Nietzsche a spin. It's a non-stop thrill ride from the frist frame to the last! A++++++
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Summary: Should be mandatory reading
Review: Nietzsche's writings have long been marred by the dark fog of ignorance and prejudice promoted by reactionary obscurantists. It's refreshing to approach the ideas of the philosopher oneself and to experience the visceral jolt that comes with the realization that not only is Herr Doktor Professor brilliantly incisive but that, more-over, he is screamingly funny. A razor-sharp wit! Mr. Kaufmann's translation is marvelous, too, for all the care it gives to the inimitable punster's saws and witty jibes (lost, or just plain over-looked, in so many other [lesser] translations). Conclusion: A thoroughly worthwhile endeavor that will stay with one long past one has put down the book.
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