Customer Reviews

Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for Everyone and No One (Penguin Classics)

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I only want to say one thing here, and I say it primarily because I already love this work. This is the translation to buy. Everyone seems to adore Kaufmann, but the truth is he's much more obtuse and difficult to read (and I don't believe it's necessary, as some may say). Hollingdale gets it right. I'll defend myself with one example from a class I took, where Kaufmann's translation was the required text. I had read both translations (cover-to-cover), and sold my copy of Kaufmann's translation, keeping only my Hollingdale. So, needless to say, I wasn't about to buy Kaufmann again, and went to class with Hollingdale. Slowly, but surely, as the other students read bits of the translation I had, or heard when I spoke pieces aloud, they overwhelmingly agreed with me: Hollingdale is simply more clear, more beautiful, more powerful (less academic, shall we say, which is pure Nietzsche). Ok, over and out, enjoy.

There seem to be plenty of reviews debating the philosophical principles of Nietszche and the statements he makes, so, for the non-philosophy students present (i.e. ME) I'll rate it for the layman.

`TSZ' is very longwinded, and as the introduction states, filled with `excess', but that does not make it a bad book. Every sentence is imbued with its own iconic poetry, and, philosophy aside, the metaphors and similes alone make this book worth reading. It is clear that Nietszche, or perhaps his translator, had a mind better suited to creative expression than most philosophers, or indeed today's authors, and it is in this that lies the book's real strength. Through its use of imagery it not only makes an interesting, inspirational, conjectural read (apart from a few really boring parts that seemed written only to slow down the pace), it makes its message easy to understand and backs it up with surrealistic examples. Whereas sometimes in philosophy, the use of allegory can confuse the issue (More's `Utopia' - mockery of idealism, framework for perfect society, or rambling tale?), in `Zarathustra' the reader, no matter whether they are new to the field or not, cannot fail to discern the message that Man is not a goal but a bridge, a rope over an abyss. As philosophy, and as literature, it succeeds in conveying its point, setting up a platform for discussion or merely to digest individually. Admittedly, some refuse to read Nietszche because of his view of women (`shallow waters'), and because of how his ideas for the Superman allegedly inspired Hitler's Aryan vision for the world, but such people deprive themselves of an interesting viewpoint that defines the meaning of life in human rather than spiritual terms.

One potential problem for the newcomer to philosophy is the storyline. For a man remembered for the statement `God is dead', Nietszche obviously drew inspiration from the Bible, for Zarathustra is strongly reminiscent of Jesus, recruiting disciples and disappearing into the wilderness with a frequency that Bigfoot would be proud of. The problem with an allegorical tale is the reader's propensity for bringing western narrative expectations to it - `Zarathustra' is a text-book, not a story, but sometimes you do find yourself waiting for the climax, the big show-down, the cinematic denouement. So long as you remember that it is philosophy, not a novel, and so long as you appreciate each segment as an expressive point and not part of a conventional plot, there should be no troubles. I'll leave you with a sample of Nietzsche's verbal wizardry:

`It is the stillest words which bring the storm. Thoughts that come on doves' feet guide the world.'

Thus Spoke Zarathustra (originally Also Sprach Zarathustra) is considered by some (myself included) to have been the crowning work of the nineteenth century German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900). Unlike most modern philosophical works, Zarathustra's format harkens back to the Bible and to the ancient Greek works such as Plato's dialogues. In it, Zarathustra wanders the landscape, talking to people, drawing out the fallacies of what they believe and propounding Nietzsche's philosophy.

Overall, I found this to be one of the most challenging works I have ever read. Nietzsche's use of paradox and ambiguity tends to obscure his teachings, while at the same time challenging the reader to read closely and understand what he is saying in spite of the ambiguity. But, it is well worth the effort.

In his seminal work, The End of History and the Last Man, Francis Fukuyama argues that the last philosophy standing that can possibly challenge the reigning philosophy of the West is that of Friedrich Nietzsche. And so, I do believe that it is worth understanding Nietzsche. Is this the best book to read to understand the great philosopher? I can't say. But, it is the book I started with. It is a challenging read, but definitely well worth the effort. I have had a copy of this book since college, and to this day I still periodically take it off the shelf and read it again.

Nietzsche himself calls Zarathustra "the greatest gift" that he has given to humanity, in Ecce Homo, and yet the book still remains true to its title, "A book for All and None."

The key to the book lies in linking it with a much earlier work, On the Uses and Disadvantages of History for Life, and also with the work that came just before Zarathustra, The Gay Science. In the former work, Nietzsche outlines, for the first time, on how history may be employed for the purposes of life - this isn't about nihilism, and one is forced to wonder if many writers understand what "nihilism" means. In The Gay Science, Nietzsche briefly returns to this theme in the encounter with the demon in aphorism 325 )or thereabouts). In other words, Zarathustra's central theme is the teaching of eternal recurrance, and it is in Zarathustra where one can attempt to interpret what Nietzsche meant by eternal recurrance.

Look closely at "The Adder's Bite," "The Vision and the Riddle," "Of Old and New Law Tables," "The Drunken Song," and, most importantly, "Of Redemption." There are treasures in this book that hold the keys to Nietzsche's bounty - read him like Plato.

Enjoy!!!!

Quality and clarity have always been the hallmarks of the Penguin series, and they extend to this one also. Unlike the other translations, dense with tedious bombast and medieval suffixes, the Hollingdale translation is focused and one couldnt ask for a more keen choice of words. With this superb translation I could at least concentrate on the philosophy, rather than trying to decipher the difficult language. While reading this, the words danced rather than gravitated, making reading this book all the more enjoyable.
As for the content and Nietszche's philosophy, it was intelligent and convincing. However one mustn't take this book literally. The transformation to Ubermensch is figuratively speaking, so is "dancing" and "laughter". In the context of this book one might interpret them as symbols of liberation and ascention. To best explain this one might take a scientist as an example. At first, the scientist burdens himself with study of the discoveries of his predecessors, in which he resembles a camel (1st transformation). After his vigorous study he must assert himself and his independence from others, in which he resembles a lion (2nd transformation). And thirdly, he must develop a distnctive personal style which will distinguish him from the others, in which he becomes like a child (3d transformation). In the 3d and final stage he is liberated from any signs of struggle, giving freedom to his spirit.
However engaging Nietzsche's philosophy is, it is at times vague and sadly laconic, e.g. his account on the battle of the virtues was not expanded enough and didn't explain what one might do when those battled for supremacy. Also, some might find his philosophy callous and ruthless, as it persuades leaving the helpless behind for the sake of the ascention of few. Ruthless it may be, but accurate and very relevant. In addition, some might find it especially offensive and absurd as it sorns mercy and pity. Regardless of this aspect of it, I would say this book is permeated with the influence of Enlightenment: striving to improvement and liberation. It is slightly atheistic which will deter fervent believers in god, but the atheistic thread is so subtle it would idiotic to sacrifice Nietzsche's philosphy for religious principles. Overall, an outstandingly written book.

Nietzsche was controversial (and reveled in it), but he was also grossly misunderstood. To pigeonhole his philosophy as simply about glorifying barbaric agresssion does a grave disservice to his quest for uplifting the human soul. Nietzsche was a man who absolutely ABHORRED mediocrity, and dedicated his work into helping man reclaim the "star" that he always potentially possesses, provided he is willing to free himself from the shackles of dogma and conventionality. "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" is Nietzsche's manifesto on how to get there.

The concept of the "last-man" is brilliant, and unbelievably prescient!! This smug. self-satisfied, herd-like man exists today in overwhelming abundance!! The "last-man," to quote Nietzsche "has no shepherd and one herd! Everybody wants the same, everybody is the same: whoever feels different goes voluntarily into a madhouse." When you look around and see the mindless banal dreck on televison, in newspapers, and throughout society in general, you see the deleterious effects of the contented "last-man" who can no longer have contempt for himself, therefore, he cannot and will not strive to advance himself!!

One may not agree with everything in "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," but it is unquestionably a brilliant work that will open up new vistas of the mind and have you examining man's spiritual condition in an utterly profound way. And Nietzsche's writing style is, at its best, almost lyrical!!

Nietzsche presents an argument against the will of the `last man' so effectively, many scholars substitute his pure genius as mere hell-raising. One point in time, one moment in present, past, or future, one recognizes the inevitability of death. Certain aspects and beliefs on how immortality can be attained are thrown out like garbage by Nietzsche; thus, many people are upset by his disregard for the immortal. In his work Thus Spoke Zarathustra Friedrich Nietzsche possessed by Iranian Prophet Zarathtustra, yes possessed, instructs the reader on how to attain the position of the `over man.' This position requires much self-sacrifice of the willing and directs the reader to "let go" of the control of the ego on conscious reality. The constant battle between the unconscious Id and conscious Ego is also recognized by Sigmund Freud, other than Nietzsche.

Three metamorphosis stages that include the camel, the lion, and the child are required by the individual seeking enlightenment towards `over man.' To "let go" of the past, the last man must realize that everything he is given must be given back to his fellow man, without respite or lament. The serpent and the eagle represent the ego and the spirit of the will of everyman; thus, to reach the `over man,' an individual must live for the present like the animal. Most important, his ego must go under.

The four sections within Thus Spoke Zarathustra define every standpoint Zarathustra selects for the reader to recognize. If an individual accepts the position to forgo justice and vengeance and discern there is no true justice, then the pinnacle of `over man' becomes more clear. The `last man' is consumed by the past and cannot `let go' of regret, ultimately causing the `spirit of revenge' to take hold. Time advances constantly against the `last man' and his conscious reality. Recognition of a timeless unconscious begets the `over man,' because time is only with us in our conscious state

Have you ever had a dream where you have done so little in such a great amount of time slept?

Nietzsche's most controversial and unique statement "God is Dead" should not be taken literally. Of course God is not dead. God is dead in the mind of man whose soul dies along with the body, thus, leading to the `despiser of the body.' The person who despises the body because of its mortality has elevated the ego to force repression upon the body. This repression of natural instinct and belief in temperance only works if equilibrium can be kept between body and earth. If equilibrium cannot be attained between body and earth, the `despiser of the body' only lives for what, he can gain without giving back. To be able to give and give without receiving like the sun that lights the earth, precipitates to the status of `over man.'

Nietzsche's unique view of humanity at the end of the 19th Century exhibits many perspectives on posturing by the `last man.' Thus Spoke Zarathustra delivers great innuendo and prospect for the reader. Nietzsche's main audience is the 21st Century reader looking for answers to questions posed by technological and enlightenment advance. Nietzsche's controversy remains a barrier for many artists looking to express forms of nihilism in their work. Probably the most accurate description of contemporary life seen through the eyes of nihilism comes in the form of Fight Club, but every secondary source, or idea on any philosopher must be taken with caution.

This piece of art is nothing short of prophetic. If this work didn't mark the end of a God fearing Europe, it might of found its way into the bible of future men. Nietzsche's entire work can be comprehended by reading this book alone (several times of course). It was his peak as a creative writer and philosopher. The story grabs hold of the reader and won't let go. Really. This book will transform the reader if comprehended. I recommend this book to any normal person interested in a philisophical challenge to his/her everyday worldview. Yes, even a woman might enjoy this piece despite Nietzsche's tendency to be overly masculine. I strongly recommend that you DO NOT read this book if you have a diagnosed personality disorder or any history of psychiatric hospitalization. Only a few will see through Nietzsche's eyes. When they do, they will be a better writer and philosopher because of it.

I love this book. I didn't understand it the first time I tried to read it, so I put it down. I luckily came across the Teaching Company tapes on Nietzsche's philosophy and Panza's Existentialism for Dummies so I could finally get at what Nietzsche was talking about. It's absolutely amazing and lovely. I hope you get the chance to read it too with some understanding. You'll be the better for it.

Ich kenne die Deutche sprach ohne schwierigkeit, best english translation that I am aware of. have read Untermeier tanslation, a disaster, Kaufmann with all due respect too devoted, is OK if nothing else available, but Hollingsdale is a masterpiece, a true work of art. Sometimes it seems to me to excell the very original.
Salut. Peter