In this concise yet comprehensive critical biography, Ritchie Robertson examines the work of Friedrich Nietzsche within the context of his life. The book traces Nietzsche's development from outstanding classical scholar to cultural critic, who measured Imperial Germany by the standards of ancient Greece. It follows him thence to prophet (in the persona of Zarathustra) and savage polemicist against modern liberal values, offering a 'philosophy of the future'. Robertson argues that Nietzsche's middle-period writings offer a subtle and searching analysis of his culture, more rewarding than the strident and often-controversial later works. The book also assesses Nietzsche's claim to be continuing the Enlightenment, and shows that he valued reason, evidence and fact, without which his historical case against Christianity would make no sense.

About the Author
Ritchie Robertson is a Fellow of the Queen's College, Oxford and Emeritus Schwarz-Taylor Professor of German at Oxford University. His books include Goethe: A Very Short Introduction (2016) and The Enlightenment: The Pursuit of Happiness, 1680-1790 (2020).


Book Information
ISBN 9781789146066
Author Ritchie Robertson
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Reaktion Books
Publisher Reaktion Books