The Other Nietzsche

by Joan Stambaugh

This volume explores facets of Nietzsche relatively untouched by the majority of the vast literature on him. Stambaugh concentrates on his ideas on art and creativity in general, regarding these realms of human endeavor as not limited to aesthetics in the narrower sense, but as constitutive of life itself. She also explores a much neglected side of Nietzsche's thought, a dimension that is poetic and mystical. Drawing mainly from Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Nietzsche's most enigmatic and profound work, Stambaugh interprets Nietzsche's ultimate affirmation of life out of his experience of eternity.

Genres: Philosophy

160 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1993

Reviews

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh explications of Nietzsche's key ideas on the death of god, amor fati, nihilism, becoming, pity, and revenge, after which Stambaugh situates them within the context of Nietzsche's overarching philosophy of affirmation. Essentially an antidote to the bulk of commentary, which up to that point (1994), viewed Nietzsche's critique of western philosophy and culture as being predominantly negative. The chapters offer close readings of Nietzsche's concepts and are tightly argued. Sources are sparsely noted, however, which makes it difficult to follow up her analysis. There's a fair amount of redundancy as these chapters are repurposed from conference papers, so they tend to overlap on the main ideas.

[Brandon Bosworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of best books on the controversial German scholar I've read. Stambaugh explores the idea of "Nietzsche the poet mystic."