The Birth of Tragedy & The Genealogy of Morals Paperback – Deckle Edge, 7 May 1956

If you like easy reading... Forget this book. Its a book for dipping into... But dip lightly at your own peril. This is deep stuff. The first book is for those interested in the deeper psychology of the greek tragedy. It is fascinating. I had the advantage of studying this gem in university and so I had plenty of opportunities to discuss the book with others who had read it too. That helps a lot. Read a page and close the book and think, think think. Nietzsche is, above all, a great challenge to the intellect. Remember that. As for the second book, the challenge that Nietzsche poses to the established sense of morality is breathtaking. I will tell you one thing though; this is warrior philosophy. This is for the radical individualist. This is for the free thinker. You must remember that being truly alone means you are abandoned on a long and winding path. It is a rocky path that is strewn with the obstacles that the herd left there, filled with the traps of the mediocre. It is a path easily strayed from. If you are indeed one of these rare individuals, this book will provide you with energy. It is the energy of YOUR THOUGHTS reflected back at you in eloquent prose and solid logic. If you are a free thinking individualist... nietzsche is for you. He makes you work on every page though. I wouldn't recommend this as your first Nietzsche read however. "Beyond good and evil" is a slightly easier starting point. If you already have an idea of what old boy Friedrich is babbling about, then give this gift to the world a go. He never lets you down.

At times brilliant, at others incomplete. Golffing sometimes comes up with brilliant formulations, but all too often his text skips over or omits details that should be included.

This was required reading for one of political science classes. Great book! Just keep in mind you need to expect a book on the theory of politics to have some controversial ideas.