Alexander Nehamas's Nietzsche: Life as Literature (Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1985)

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"Life as Literature" could not be a better title for a book on Nietzsche. With a careful eye for Nietzsche's tendency toward autobiography, Nehamas illuminates the many intricacies of Nietzsche's thought with passion and artistery. Covering all aspects of Nietzsche's work, pre and post Wagner, Nehamas gives rare insight into the Nietzsche's writings.

As the title indicates, Nehamas is not afraid to uncover the Nietzsche within Nietzsche. In fact, he places special emphasis on it. Using Nietzsche's own assertions of the relationship between a philosopher and his work, Nehamas begins with Nietzsche's life. He eloquently ties the various aspects of Nietzsche the man with Nietzsche's work and does not apologize for this muddling. Those looking for a dispassionate analysis of Nietzsche should not look here.

As it may be clear, I would highly recommend this work to both the Nietzsche scholar and those of us who simply enjoy Nietzsche for his passion and insight. "Life as Literature," in my view, is one of the best supplementary texts availble on Nietzsche's life and work.

Reviewed by John D. Downing Send mail to reviewer .



douglast@cwis.usc.edu Created: 3/29/95 Last Updated: 3/6/96