$11.95 with 20 percent savings

List Price: $15.00

FREE International Returns

This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location. Please choose a different delivery location.

Deliver to Finland

In Stock

$$11.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Returnable until Jan 31, 2025

Returns

Returnable until Jan 31, 2025

For the 2024 holiday season, eligible items purchased between November 1 and December 31, 2024 can be returned until January 31, 2025.

Read full return policy

Payment

Secure transaction

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Details

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

$9.71

FREE International Returns

The item is fairly worn but still readable. The book may have some cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, sunburn, stains, water damage, bent, torn, damaged binding, dent. The dust jacket if present, may be marked, and have considerable heavy wear. The book might be ex-library copy, and may have the markings and stickers associated from the library - The book may have considerable highlights, notes, underlined pages but the text is legible The item is fairly worn but still readable. The book may have some cosmetic wear like creased spine, cover, scratches, curled corners, folded pages, sunburn, stains, water damage, bent, torn, damaged binding, dent. The dust jacket if present, may be marked, and have considerable heavy wear. The book might be ex-library copy, and may have the markings and stickers associated from the library - The book may have considerable highlights, notes, underlined pages but the text is legible See less

This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location. Please choose a different delivery location.

Deliver to Finland

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

$$11.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Follow

Goethe's Faust Paperback – December 4, 1962

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Author), Walter Kaufmann (Translator, Introduction)

4.4 1,085 ratings

See all formats and editions

Savings Get 3 for the price of 2 Shop items

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$11.95","priceAmount":11.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"tSNWEYQbFizXmLF5SKNOPRBtM6k4yXn2O0dKgp1zkBSQmbcz48FYzgz3raMmbGLe2nn6a1xfi5%2BskrQAmMcAjfW74EdizeZDP91hc3oU0aSvCIAThhtAVIzheLHifrxkycANy%2BJf67U%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$9.71","priceAmount":9.71,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"71","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"tSNWEYQbFizXmLF5SKNOPRBtM6k4yXn24TT2Bztp7WInFFUrJ2A2ONO606i0zlq9pV6Qo1bO4g7ciJ8C1cWV9%2Fr2gb9o8muy0dVec4NFzWi58RFZmjGXgaoXSzIdQ1kd7%2FO2Mz%2F0CSSCasuI2nYGCs8giDWISNd9juGGJsPsPvBARRSI24JnOifKjY%2Bkg58u","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

The best translation of Faust available, this volume provides the original German text and its English counterpart on facing pages. Walter Kaufmann's translation conveys the poetic beauty and rhythm as well as the complex depth of Goethe's language. Includes Part One and selections from Part Two.

Print length

512 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Anchor
Publication date

December 4, 1962
Dimensions

5.21 x 1.06 x 7.96 inches
ISBN-10

0385031149
ISBN-13

978-0385031141
See all details

"All the Little Raindrops: A Novel" by Mia Sheridan for $10.39
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more

This item: Goethe's Faust

$11.95

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

Faust (Oxford World's Classics)

$11.11

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price: $00

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The best translation of Faust available, this volume provides the original German text and its English counterpart on facing pages. Walter Kaufmann's translation conveys the poetic beauty and rhythm as well as the complex depth of Goethe's language. Includes Part One and selections from Part Two.

From the Inside Flap

The best translation of Faust available, this volume provides the original German text and its English counterpart on facing pages. Walter Kaufmann's translation conveys the poetic beauty and rhythm as well as the complex depth of Goethe's language. Includes Part One and selections from Part Two.

From the Back Cover

The best translation of "Faust available, this volume provides the original German text and its English counterpart on facing pages. Walter Kaufmann's translation conveys the poetic beauty and rhythm as well as the complex depth of Goethe's language. Includes Part One and selections from Part Two.

About the Author

Before he was thirty, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe had proven himself a master of the novel, drama, and lyric poetry. But even more impressive than his versatility was his unwillingness ever to settle into a single style or approach; whenever he used a literary form, he made it something new.Born in 1749 to a well-to-do family in Frankfurt, he was sent to Strasbourg to earn a law degree. There, he met the poet-philosopher Herder, discovered Shakespeare, and began to write poetry. His play Götz von Berlichingen (1773) made him famous throughout Germany. He was invited to the court of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, where he quickly became a cabinet minister. In 1774 his novel of Romantic melancholy, The Sorrows of a Young Werther, electrified all of Europe. Soon he was at work on the first version of his Faust, which would finally appear as a fragment in 1790.In the 1780s, Goethe visited England and immersed himself in classical poetry. The next decade saw the appearance of Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, his novel of a young artist's education, and a wealth of poetry and criticism. He returned to the Faust material around the turn of the century and completed Part 1 in 1808.The later years of his life were devoted to a bewildering array of pursuits: research in botany and a theory of colors, a novel (Elective Affinities), the evocative poems of the West-Eastern Divan, and his great autobiography, Poetry and Truth. In his eighties he prepared a forty-volume edition of his works; the forty-first volume, published after his death in 1832, was the second part of Faust.Goethe’s wide-ranging mind could never be confined to one form or one philosophy. When asked for the theme of his masterwork, Faust, he could only say, “From heaven through all the world to hell”; his subject was nothing smaller.

Walter Kaufmann was a philosopher and poet, as well as a renowned translator of Friedrich Nietzsche. His books include Nietzsche: Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist, From Shakespeare to Existentialism, and Existentialism: From Dostoevsky to Sartre. He was a Professor of Philosophy at Princeton University, where he taught after receiving his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1947 until his death in 1980. He held visiting appointments at many American and foreign universities, including Columbia, Cornell, Heidelberg, Jerusalem, and the Australian National University, and his books have been translated into Dutch, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Anchor; 5th or later Edition (December 4, 1962)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 512 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0385031149
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385031141
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.21 x 1.06 x 7.96 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #29,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in German Literary Criticism (Books)
- #5 in German Poetry (Books)
- #11 in German Literature (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 1,085 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

1,085 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers find the English translation excellent and easy to access. They describe the book as an enjoyable, interesting read with an informative introduction. Readers also appreciate the helpful explanatory endnotes. Opinions differ on the enjoyment, with some finding it compelling and engaging, while others say it's underwhelming.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

Readable translation Readability Information quality Value for money Enjoyment

43 customers mention "Readable translation"35 positive8 negative

Customers find the translation wonderful, excellent, and easy to access. They appreciate the heartfelt use of language and amazing poetry. Readers also mention the book is a good read for young men who want to avoid pitfalls and know their place.

"...read Goethe's "Faust." It is a highly academic and poetic work of literature...." Read more

"Just amazing poetry. Needs some re-reading to interpret again, seeing that I’ve observed excerpts of it in other literature...." Read more

"...Goethe’s poetic brilliance and profound insight make this epic drama a must-read for anyone seeking to delve into the depths of the human soul...." Read more

"...It is very readable and poetic, without sacrificing accuracy. I have three different translations of Faust and this is, by far, my favorite...." Read more

30 customers mention "Readability"30 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, interesting, and a good choice for students. They say it's a dense and long read.

"...The language and rhyme are straight forward and not overly flowery like other translations of this work...." Read more

"...A great read: Kaufmann's preface is a gem...." Read more

"...It's still a good book to read though." Read more

"...Excellent read, both for entertainment and for cultural relevancy." Read more

6 customers mention "Information quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative, highly academic, and poetic. They appreciate the supplementary information, explanatory endnotes, and solid philosophical teachings. Readers also mention the book is helpful in explaining the origin of Faust.

"...The book features an informative introduction on Goethe's biography and the composition of Part One and includes a graph displaying how he edited..." Read more

"...who have never read Goethe's "Faust." It is a highly academic and poetic work of literature...." Read more

"...However, all the supplementary information is invaluable. Whereas Luke’s translation is fluid and modern...." Read more

"...It is very helpful in explaining the origin of Faust, however if you're not familiar with the story there's spoilers in these pages...." Read more

6 customers mention "Value for money"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the price and effort.

"This bilingual version of Goethe's Faust is definitely worth the acquisition. The translation of Goethe's masterful verse is done particularly well...." Read more

"...as one of the best works in German literature, for $11, it's worth the price...." Read more

"...to this style of literature, it may be a little tough to read, but very worth it!!! The more you read the easier it gets to understand...." Read more

"...It's a hard read, but very much worth the effort." Read more

22 customers mention "Enjoyment"14 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the enjoyment of the book. Some find it interesting, engaging, and entertaining. However, others say it's underwhelming, awful, and boring.

"...of the two versions of the poetry is important and adds greatly to the enjoyment and full appreciation of the true beauty and wonder of Goethe's..." Read more

"I thought such a classic would be good. But it's boring as hell!" Read more

"...original and the english translation in the book is also perfect for discussing the content and also the diferrences in the language with others." Read more

"...Goethe’s poetic brilliance and profound insight make this epic drama a must-read for anyone seeking to delve into the depths of the human soul...." Read more

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort by reviews type

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

OAKSHAMAN

"Breathe, spirit, soar!"

Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2006

Verified Purchase

I have no doubt that this is the best English translation of Faust. It is certainly the translation for those who love the tale. All the life and humor and glory shines through. It is not a "scholar's" translation. It is still fully alive.

I know that people avoid Faust for being too formidable and daunting. They need not feel so. It is amazing just how smoothly the translation of Part One reads. You do not want to put it down. Yet it is so very accurate- a quick glance across to the opposing German original confirms that.

As for Part Two, it doesn't read quite so smoothly, but that is no fault of the translator, since the original German also lacks the perfect flow and polish of Part One. Goethe didn't have sixty more years to perfect it as he did with the first part. In fact, we are only given a translation of the first and last acts. The intervening three acts are summarized in the introduction. My sole criticism of this edition is that the summary should have been actually bound between these two acts so that you do not have to flip back to the introduction to refresh your memory. Still, you can piece the full flavor and meaning out of Part Two in spite of these obstacles.

The author tells us in the introduction that we shouldn't fall into the Germanic trap of analyzing the idea behind the story. He seems to insist that we appreciate it for poetry and characterization and leave it at that. To my mind that would be frivolous. The core idea in Faust is the tale of the German nation- indeed of most of western civilization. Faust the scholar and magician represents the dissatisfaction and arrogance of modern man. Not content with comprehending God's will and putting himself in accord with the Divine order he tries to play God himself in order to "improve" creation. He sells his soul to do this, but then he was incapable of faith in the first place (in spite of first hand dealings with the supernatural.) This is directly analogous to those scientists who unravel the glories and mysteries of creation every day, yet do not pause to appreciate the existence of a Creator. Needless to say, Faust's efforts always end in failure and dissatisfaction- and disaster for those whose life he touches (Gretchen.)

The second part is a continuation of this theme, for Faust has learned nothing in Part One. If anything he is more ambitious and insatiable. He seeks after gold, influence, power, command, land, even progeny and a trophy wife (Helen of Troy.) It all turns out twisted. In fact, just short of his final, hard-won triumph he suddenly drops dead from old age. Nothing lasting- except ill effects- remain of his life's constant striving.

Yet, Faust is saved. The translator says that this is unexplainable. He seems to attribute it to softness of heart on the part of Goethe. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As the Lord states in the Prologue: "A good man in his darkling aspiration/ Remembers the right road throughout his quest." In other words, the Lord knows that Faust was trying to do good- it was just that through his flaws and limitations he ended up making a mess of things. This was also Boethius' understanding- even when we do wrong it is out of a flawed quest to achieve the Good. Even Gretchen (who has now re-ascended to her place as part of the Divine Feminine) understands and forgives Faust. Faust has now the perspective to understand and learn from his errors on earth. He is now truly fit to teach other souls hard-won lessons of worth.

May this also be the ultimate fate of all modern men.

65 people found this helpful

Helpful

E.A. Bucchianeri

A pleasure to read.

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2008

Verified Purchase

Faust: Part One (Oxford World's Classic)

Goethe's "Faust" is arguably the most important milestone in Romantic literature. Taking the famous medieval legend of Dr. Faustus and his pact with the devil, Goethe adapted the tale of old, and transformed it into a great love story, and a probing poetical tract on the nature of good and evil, salvation and damnation, failing and striving, the innate search for truth and lasting fulfilment.

Part One (first published 1808) features Faust's disgust with his life and the world at large, and attempting to unite with the Spirit of creation and soar above the petty corporality of earth, the proud old scholar is dashed to the ground, for he must first work his salvation out on earth by the sweat of his brow before he can be admitted into the presence of the Deity. In desperation, Faust tries to commit suicide, but then makes a wager with the devil: if Mephistopheles can show him that one moment of bliss he is searching for and succeeds in persuading him to cease all his human striving for that one moment, then his soul is forfeit. The devil agrees to the wager, grants Faust the gift of youth, and the adventures begin. He meets young Margareta and falls in love, a romance that leads to tragedy for the innocent maiden.

David Luke's award-winning translation is one of the best I have read. While the rhythms do jar on occasion, this does not take away from the `flow' of this rendition. There will always be discrepancies when a text is taken out of its original language in any case, so it is more constructive to concentrate on the `readability', this translation succeeds in portraying the mood of Goethe's text and the personalities of his vibrant characters. In some instances, it may be argued the translation is too modern, for example, lines [2065 -2070] when Mephistopheles prepares his magic flying cloak for their journey to a new life of youthful debauchery:

"One merely spreads one's cloak--you'll find
It give us aerial elevation.
Though, please, this bold step for mankind,
Imposes luggage-limitation.
I'll set the burners going, heat some air, and lo!
We travel light, the earth lies far below."

Did Neil Armstrong land on the moon in Goethe's time? Of course not, but Luke's witty lines humorously displays Mephistopheles' rakish personality and has become one of my personal favourites in this English edition.
The book features an informative introduction on Goethe's biography and the composition of Part One and includes a graph displaying how he edited and added to the scenes until he arrived at the text we know today. There is also a select bibliography, a general chronology of Goethe's life and career, and helpful explanatory endnotes for those who wish to study the details of the text more thoroughly. For "Urfaust" scholars, Luke highlights the lines that were part of Goethe's early draft.

E.A. Bucchianeri, author of ...

23 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jon Linden

Goethe's Faust: Rendered In English Version With Original German

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2013

Verified Purchase

This bilingual version of Goethe's Faust is definitely worth the acquisition. The translation of Goethe's masterful verse is done particularly well. Yet, it is important that the reader have at least a moderate working understanding of the German language. This prerequisite is important, because regardless of the well constructed English verse, there is often changes in the true specific meanings of Goethe's original verse. Thus, the ability to compare the meanings of the two versions of the poetry is important and adds greatly to the enjoyment and full appreciation of the true beauty and wonder of Goethe's original work.

This book is truly a bargain at Amazon's price. I would highly recommend it to any English/German bilingual individuals who have never read Goethe's "Faust." It is a highly academic and poetic work of literature. Interested parties/readers should not ignore the opportunity to indulge in Goethe's most famous and extensive poetic creation.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Evan Ames

It is a bit tough because of style but enjoyable

Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2024

Verified Purchase

It is because of style a bit tough. For those wqho can read olf German, left page is original text and right is English. I wish I knew German, but I don't

Helpful

Ferit

A classic in two languages

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2024

Verified Purchase

Beeing fluent in german and english this book is a perfect gift for my literature major friend. Having both the german original and the english translation in the book is also perfect for discussing the content and also the diferrences in the language with others.

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024

Verified Purchase

Just amazing poetry. Needs some re-reading to interpret again, seeing that I’ve observed excerpts of it in other literature. Goethe spins a web of words, mostly around witchy and spiritual lore. Good fodder for fantasy writing.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Alex

Great Translation

Reviewed in Brazil on September 2, 2022

Verified Purchase

Walter kaufmann does a stellar translation of Goethes work here, however the books structure leaves a lot to be desired with most of the end sections being left to be explained in the books summary in the beginning, however Kaufmanns translation and Goethes brilliance still make this a good read.

Digital Panache

Super amazing story revisited

Reviewed in India on October 21, 2019

Verified Purchase

Had read this long back and it was so amazing to revisit this story. Goethe, no doubt, was one of the most amazing philosophers of all time. Even though he was never known for such sound philosophy, this work of his puts him, if not at a better pedestal, at par with the best philosophers of all times.
Faust's dilemma is something that many intellectuals can relate with. Even if were to be a bit pensive at times, one could understand what Goethe is trying to show through Faust's quest for life's meaning. The inadvertent gamble of heaven for hell and a thoughtful approach towards it is something that would make you think through and through. An amazing eye opener this book is. Should you trade your today for tomorrow or vice versa. This book will give you answers and open up even more questions for you.

Amazon Customer

What I always wanted

Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

I read this in one of my university English courses and I liked it. I always wanted to own Faust II. Such a great masterpiece.

Kindle Reader

The original

Reviewed in Australia on July 17, 2020

Verified Purchase

The original tale that has been recreated, reimagined and deconstructed a million different ways from Sunday, Faust ventures deep into existential and moral fabric as he deals with the devil.

白袴

ファウスト英語併記

Reviewed in Japan on December 11, 2017

Verified Purchase

思ったより早く届きました。英語併記版ですのでページ数は多いですが、紙質、印刷は上々です。

Translate review to English

See more reviews

Return this item for free

Return this item for free

Image Unavailable

Follow the author