On the Genealogy of Morals and Ecce Homo [Paperback]

Friedrich Nietzsche (Author), Walter Kaufmann (Editor)

Book Description

Release date: December 17, 1989 | ISBN-10: 0679724621 | ISBN-13: 978-0679724629

The great philosopher's major work on ethics, along with ECCE HOMO, Nietzche's remarkable review of his life and works. Translated by Walter Kaufmann.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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The great philosopher's major work on ethics, along with ECCE HOMO, Nietzche's remarkable review of his life and works. Translated by Walter Kaufmann.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (December 17, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679724621
• ISBN-13: 978-0679724629
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.8 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > History & Surveys

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 74 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Right translator, wrong edition November 30, 2001

By Z. Liu

Format:Paperback

On The Geneology of Morals -- This work is clearest when read as a sequel to Beyond Good & Evil. I don't suggest starting here. The prose is more straightforward than BG&E, he is attemting polemic in essay form. Yet still, it is still a voice in your head, consipring with you, coaxing you toward understanding. Here, the prose style of BG&E becomes apparent.

Ecce Homo -- This would seem like a very pretentious work. It is not. He comes off almost modestly here. This too, clears the air of all that is rotten about what has been said about him. It is as if he had guessed what evil things would be said about him.

Especially if this is your first Nietzsche book, I suggest, instead of buying this, buying the Basic Writings of Nietzsche which contains these two books, as well as three others (Beyond Good & Evil, which is a better place to start anyway; The Birth of Tragedy, and The Case of Wagner), by the same translator, and which costs only a few dollars more now that it's out in paperback.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars the prime translation of a works not in need of many words. July 9, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

having read most of Nietzsche's works in bother german (my native tounge) and english, i must say that if one is unable to read one of the four greatest masters of the german language (with Goethe, Heine, Kafka), walter kaufman translations are the only works that come close to the style and intentions that Nietzsche (presumably) had. in other, especially early translations one can wittness a 'over-nietzschification' that puts supposed nietzschean intent or thought into the works and hence distorting language and content. kaufman, who is first a philosopher and secondly a translator does not fall into this trap. it can only enthusiastically be reccommended.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A devastating critique of modernity. September 19, 1999

By T.M.O. ([e-mail])

Format:Paperback

Undoubtedly Nietzsche's most penetrating and philosophical work, the "Genealogy of Morals" is a shattering indictment of science, Judaeo-Christian morality and modern Western values such as liberalism, socialism and feminism. It identifies these phenomena with the reactive, self-preservative "ascetic ideal" - the oppressive "will to truth" - that aims to constrain and deny life. In opposition, Nietzsche propounds art and culture as a counteragent and champions the "Diyonisan tragic artist" who will affirm and celebrate life. - Also a pioneering text for deconstruction and poststructuralism in its analysis of historicism and interpretation.