A compact introduction to Nietzsche’s writings about God, language, truth, and myth, this collection will engage and appeal to both veteran and novice readers. Fritzsche’s insightful introduction presents valuable historical, biographical, and cultural guidelines for exploring Nietzsche’s ideas and influence, without ignoring his literary acumen. The samples of Nietzsche’s writing were carefully chosen to represent Nietzsche’s enduring relevance for contemporary life.

With “the death of God” as his starting point, Fritzsche selected and translated documents from the full range of Nietzsche’s explosive writings to expose readers to key ideas he developed. His bold concepts ignited reactions in his time and continue to energize and shape worldviews. Selections include Nietzsche’s thoughts on such topics as how humans have fallen into a subordinate relationship with systems of morality of their own making, and the importance of recognizing new possibilities; how different cultures and languages enable unique interpretations—that is, there is no common or real world; and how the “slave mentality” of the West inclines people to see each other as victims instead of masters of their own lives.

All of the documents feature notations about publication history and context for the readings that follow; gloss notes explain literary allusions, historical references, and unfamiliar terms; appendixes include a chronology of Nietzsche’s life, questions for consideration, and a bibliography of selected works by and about Nietzsche.