About the Author

Robert C. Solomon is the Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Philosophy and Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of, among many other books, From Hegel to Existentialism.
Kathleen M. Higgins is a professor of philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of Nietzsche's Zarathustra. Together, Solomon and Higgins have written A Short History of Philosophy and Reading Nietzsche. They live in Austin.

Reviews

"Solomon and Higgins have put together a survival kit for those intending an expedition into Nietzsche territory, a refresher course for those who have been there, a map of the danger spots, and an encyclopedia of the main wonders. A valuable book."
-- Arthur C. Danto, Johnsonian Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Columbia University


"Here is the thread of Ariadne that will lead you through the labryinth of Nietzsche's philosophy."
-- Sam Keen, author of Learning to Fly


"Like all aphoristic thinkers, Nietzsche seems often to contradict himself. Being not only a philosopher but also an artist, he is not easy to understand -- hence many misunderstandings and prejudices. This book recontructs the true Nietzsche, who often -- as a skeptic -- Nietzsche himself has deconstructed."
-- John-François Revel, coauthor of The Monk and the Philosopher

"Solomon and Higgins have put together a survival kit for those intending an expedition into Nietzsche territory, a refresher course for those who have been there, a map of the danger spots, and an encyclopedia of the main wonders. A valuable book."
-- Arthur C. Danto, Johnsonian Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Columbia University


"Here is the thread of Ariadne that will lead you through the labryinth of Nietzsche's philosophy."
-- Sam Keen, author of Learning to Fly


"Like all aphoristic thinkers, Nietzsche seems often to contradict himself. Being not only a philosopher but also an artist, he is not easy to understand -- hence many misunderstandings and prejudices. This book recontructs the true Nietzsche, who often -- as a skeptic -- Nietzsche himself has deconstructed."
-- John-Francois Revel, coauthor of The Monk and the Philosopher

Solomon and Higgins (philosophy, Univ. of Texas, Austin) have written a clear, concise, level-headed but restrained overview of Friedrich Nietzsche's life, thought, and influence. They introduce the reader to his provocative ideas about God, values, creativity, perspectivism, the will to power, the future overman, and the eternal recurrence. Particularly helpful are their brief annotations of Nietzsche's 14 books and short analyses of the thinkers who influenced him, e.g., Darwin, Wagner, Spinoza, and Schopenhauer. Nietzsche offers a this-worldly, life-affirming philosophy grounded in a cyclical cosmology and unabashed atheism. Unfortunately, to make him palpable, his controversial concepts are often misrepresented. Of course, there is no substitute for reading the original works, especially Thus Spake Zarathustra, but what emerges in this unique guideline is a holistic glimpse of Nietzsche as a person and thinker. Both insightful and inspiring, this engaging book is recommended for all philosophy collections.--H. James Birx, Canisius Coll., Buffalo Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.