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Review
."..I find Tanner's book enormously useful for introducing Nietzsche philosophically.... Tanner manages to be succinct without being boring or pedantic.... I think his succinct and highly critical readings encourage genuine philosophical grappling with our modern self-proclaimed Dionysus, who after all needs to be treated as a philosopher, not an idol or a god."--Teaching Philosophy
"A breezy first look at Nietzsche...useful for undergraduates who need a quick and painless dose of Nietzsche's ideas."--Ethics
Product Description
The philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was almost wholly neglected during his sane life, which came to an abrupt end in 1889. Since then he has been appropriated as an icon by an astonishingly diverse spectrum of people, whose interpretations of his thought range from the highly irrational to the firmly analytical. Thus Spoke Zarathustra introduced the 'superman' and The Twilight of the Idols developed the 'Will to Power' concept; these term, together with 'Sklavenmoral' and 'Herrenmoral', became confused with the rise of nationalism in Germany. Idiosyncratic and aphoristic, Nietzsche is always bracing and provocative, and temptingly easy to dip into. Michael Tanner's readable introduction to the philosopher's life and work examines the numerous ambiguities inherent in his writings. It also explodes the many misconceptions fostered in the hundred years since Nietzsche wrote, prophetically: 'Do not, above all, confound me with what I am not!'
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Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher, almost wholly neglected during his sane life, which came to an abrupt end early in 1889. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher, almost wholly neglected during his sane life, which came to an abrupt end early in 1889. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book, one of a series of 'Very Short Introductions' presents Nietzsche from a broadly chronological viewpoint, mainly covering his work, but also extending into his life. It is written by someone with an obviously extensive knowledge of his subject, and an authoritative, gratifyingly honest approach. Possibly more importantly, Tanner seems to have a very good 'feel' for Nietzsche's intentions, something crucially important to studies of the idiosyncratic, often challenging approach of this particular philosopher. Speaking as an undergraduate student embarking on a dissertation study of Nietzsche, I found this book to be an extremely good introduction to the depth of the man's work, and would heartily recommend it to anyone with any interest in modern philosophy.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This short introduction to Nietzsche concentrates on the period in which Nietzsche published, with mainly a chronological look at his works. Tanner does this well giving the reader a good idea of Nietzsche's work and how it changed over time. Tanner's writing is compelling, managing to transfer some of his enthusiasm for Nietzsche to the reader, which makes the read more enjoyable and ties in with the way Nietzsche wrote himself.
Although Tanner does link in changes in Nietzsche's relationships to e.g. Wagner as his philosophy progressed, and did well linking in the outside influences on his work, I was slightly disappointed with the lack of biography in the book. There is very little mentioned of Nietzsche before the Birth of Tragedy and after his decent into madness in 1889. Although what one could write on the matter is probably not much, it would have been nice to have slightly more of a background to the man behind the philosophy.
Tanner's guide at the end of the book to further reading and translations is useful; saying which translations into English are usable and which to avoid, also commenting well on a number of publications about Nietzsche which may interest the reader if they wish to know more on the subject.
Although Tanner does link in changes in Nietzsche's relationships to e.g. Wagner as his philosophy progressed, and did well linking in the outside influences on his work, I was slightly disappointed with the lack of biography in the book. There is very little mentioned of Nietzsche before the Birth of Tragedy and after his decent into madness in 1889. Although what one could write on the matter is probably not much, it would have been nice to have slightly more of a background to the man behind the philosophy.
Tanner's guide at the end of the book to further reading and translations is useful; saying which translations into English are usable and which to avoid, also commenting well on a number of publications about Nietzsche which may interest the reader if they wish to know more on the subject.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Michael Tanner presents Nietzsche in an engaging, accessible way for the complete beginner (which is no mean feat!) The book is more of a primer than an introduction and really supplemented by reading the works presented simultaneously or shortly after to get a real feel for him but Tanner presents Nietzsche and his work in such a way that you'll want to read him anyway. On the other hand if you just want a better idea of what Nietzsche was on about, this book will provide you with an explanation of Nietzsche's main theories. Sometimes it does get a little dense and difficult to read but less so than some other so called introductions to philosophers and philosophic ideas. A great introduction into one of the most influential modern thinkers.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Can't cover everything
Makes me want to read more Nietzsche, particularly Beyond Good and Evil. Tanner makes a brave attempt at controlling and understanding Nietzsche but even this expert loses control... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mike Andrew Dawson
Close but no frankfurter!
So you've read a bit of Nietzsche and you want to learn more. This is understandable. You know that Nietzsche - along with Freud, Marx, Darwin and a few others - is one of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Allen Baird
A short showcase of the Author's specialist knowledge; not the...
I am afraid this particular introduction was not very short enough for my liking.
Though I am not a philosophy scholar, I have read a decent amount on the subject; I can... Read more
Though I am not a philosophy scholar, I have read a decent amount on the subject; I can... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. N. Potter
Introducing Nietzsche in brief- Michael Tanner.
One of the best, relatively recent, short introductions to Nietzsche. Although the translations used for quotations on occasion provoke despair, the approach is very well ordered... Read more
Published 15 months ago by C. J. Terry
nietzsche a very short introduction
I didn't expect to have his works explained in 3/4 short sentences but often the syntax was as complicated as Nietzsche's. Read more
Published 20 months ago by William R. Woods
disaster
I got this book from university library and the book is truly horrible as an introduction to the works of Nietzsche. Read more
Published on 2 May 2009 by Mr. K. S. M. Alghamdi
If you're not used to academic writing or philosophy this isn't for...
I expected to read a book which would explain the basics of Nietzsche clearly, without having to go out and research further. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2008 by Daniel Winter
An excellent book
Sometimes we approach books like this because we want a 'taster' but have no intention of going any further with the subject. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2007 by JA Foxton
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