On Nietzsche (Wadsworth Philosophers Series) [Paperback]

Eric Steinhart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0534576060 | ISBN-13: 978-0534576066 | Edition: 1

This brief text assists students in understanding Nietzsche's philosophy and thinking so that they can more fully engage in useful, intelligent class dialogue and improve their understanding of course content. Part of the "Wadsworth Philosophers Series," (which will eventually consist of approximately 100 titles, each focusing on a single "thinker" from ancient times to the present), ON NIETZSCHE is written by a philosopher deeply versed in the philosophy of this key thinker. Like other books in the series, this concise book offers sufficient insight into the thinking of a notable philosopher better enabling students to engage in the reading and to discuss the material in class and on paper.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition (October 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534576060
• ISBN-13: 978-0534576066
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,127,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( N ) > Nietzche, Friedrich

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nietzsche by Numbers, January 18, 2006

By 

Thomas A. Mcdonald (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On Nietzsche (Wadsworth Philosophers Series) (Paperback)

This is a very good account of Nietzsche's thinking from an Analytical perspective. Neitzsche was the least systematic of all the great Western philosophers, but behind his many brilliant metaphors, innovative concepts, and razor-edged critiques of 'Progress' and other idols of modern culture, usually dished out in a flurries of aphorism, Nietzsche was still a modern, 'rational' man of science. At least that is what this book contends.

Nietzsche resisted laying out a systematic view himself because, like Heidegger, he despised the idea that his work might become something others could learn by rote or PowerPoint bullets. Like Heidegger he wanted his philosophy to become a self-transforming existential challenge to the individual reader. But if Nietzsche were to articulate a Hegel-like systematic synthesis of his major ideas and 'overall' view of reality, this book shows what that would probably be like. A good introduction.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb intro to Nietzsche's main ideas, without the burden if his ponderous writings., May 31, 2010

By 

John V. Karavitis (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On Nietzsche (Wadsworth Philosophers Series) (Paperback)

I agree with the two earlier reviewers: this is an EXCELLENT short work (88 pages) that covers Nietzsche's main ideas: the Mind, religion, knowledge, the Will to Power, the Herd and the Individual, and Eternal Recurrence. With Nietzsche, it's easy to get bogged down in his ponderous "stream of consciousness" writing style (just try reading "Thus Spake Zarathustra" and understand what he's going on about!). However, the author, Eric Steinhart, does a superb job of conveying the gist of Nietzsche's ideas, both as they stand and in the context of the history of philosophy that they address. John V. Karavitis. Five stars! John Karavitis

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Nietzche Primer, December 23, 2008

By 

I. J. R. - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Nietzsche (Wadsworth Philosophers Series) (Paperback)

The amount of information that Dr. Steinhart is able to pack in to this volume is impressive. This is the book to read if you want to have a manageable overall framework with which to understand Nietzche - much better than the more popular and longer treatment by Kaufmann (Nietzche: Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist).

Reading Nietzche can be similar to watching an opera or ballet, in that it can be difficult to appreciate what is going on unless you *already* know the underlying story. This tiny little book is extremely well-thought-out, and makes a compellingly logical case for some of Nietzche's most obscure and difficult concepts. When you return and read Nietzche himself it becomes much easier to appreciate his artistry and richness of his texts, as you are already familiar with the philosophical skeleton he is decorating.

His discussion and explanation of the Eternal Recurrence is top notch, and not to be missed.