Books : Thus Spoke Zarathustra
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Binding: Audio CD
Dewey Decimal Number: 180
EAN: 9789626343258
Format: Abridged, Audiobook
ISBN: 9626343257
Label: Naxos Audiobooks
Manufacturer: Naxos Audiobooks
Number Of Discs: 4
Number Of Items: 1
Publication Date: May 30, 2005
Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks
Sales Rank: 864746
Studio: Naxos Audiobooks
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Product Description:
This was conceived and written by Friedrich Nietzsche during the years 1881-1885; the first three Parts were published in 1883 and 1884. The book formed part of his 'campaign against morality', in which Nietzsche explored the ethical consequences of the 'death of God'. Heavily critical not only of Christian values but also of their modern replacements, Thus spoke Zarathustra argues for a new value-system based around the prophecy of the Ubermensch, or Superman. Its appropriation by the National Socialist movement in Germany early in the twentieth century has tainted its reputation unjustly; but there are signs that the rehabilitation of Nietzsche, and of this his most incendiary work, is almost complete. Read by Alex Jennings, there are helpful introductions to every chapter.
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Rating:  -
One of the more interesting things about Nietzche is that, as a philosopher, his ideas were always changing - yet popular culture remembers him chiefly as a nihilist. It is in Thus Spoke Zarathustra that he proposes an answer to questions of meaninglessness and devaluation; The Superman. He also touches on eternal recurrence, but only briefly, and only as a means to further justify the Superman. I liked the loose-narrative format of the book - much easier to digest than a pure dissertation, and Nietzsche seems an apt writer of prose. The book itself is a bit on the lengthy side, and feels lengthier still do to excessive reiteration - Nietzche often repeats the same ideas, or explores them multiple times, in different ways. although the work is imbued with eloquence and poetry throughout, it appears that much has been lost in translation. I read the Penguin Classics edition, translated by R.J. Hollingdale, and although the author/translator has written about fifty or so notes on the translation, clever puns and word-plays remain untranslatable - the nuances in language make reading a German copy desirable...if you speak German.
This is definitely not a one-or two sitting book, and warrants a thorough read and proper digestion. Many of the passages require that you read and re-read them to fully comprehend what Zarathustra is saying - much is clear but much is spoken in parable and metaphor. This is all precisely what the author intended...
I can recommend this book ... Read More
Rating:  -
Nietzsche is one of the most famous and popular philosophers of all time. While this book sums up much of his ideas, one has to wonder if Nietzsche's eventual full-blown mental illness was not already taking hold of him as he wrote this book. While there are a few passages of thoughtful ideas, much of it rambles. It also gets VERY repetitive, and was actually something of a chore to finish.
As for the philosophy itself, it is very anti-Christian. In that way it is close to Mark Twain's sarcastic "Letters from Earth". But whereas Twain is always entertaining and amazingly skillful as a writer, Nietzsche is much more thick and esoteric. In fairness, I am comparing Twain's original to Nietzsche's translation.
Unlike the pessimistic Twain, however, Nietzsche sees hope for mankind in his "ubermensch" or "superman". It is no wonder that the Nazis took Nietzsche's ideas to heart (whether Nietzsche would have liked it or not is unknown). Nietzsche's "superman" is both tender and hard, and Nietzsche praises the soldier and disdains the weak and the beggers. Nietzsche hates pity and warns: "Great indebtedness does not make men grateful, but vengeful; and if a little charity is not forgotten, it turns into a gnawing worm."
In that sense, he does have a point. I have seen that people tend to build up resentments sometimes after another person tries to help them. I guess this is why people would rather take in a stray dog then a homeless person. Chances ... Read More
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I am not a student of philosophy and this is my first book to read by the author. Naturally, I didnt find the book an easy read, but I can't blame the author since Im on unfamiliar territory. However, I really enjoyed reading the book and its amazing how many phrases are worth memorizing. The book is very original and very intelligent. From what I read Nietzsche is against organised religion, so I thought it was quite strange that he chose a Prophet to deliver this thoughts to us.
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I hate long reviews... All I'm gonna say is, you need to have an open mind for this book to really embrace the meaning of his words.... Life changing book... I love Nietzsce, but I specially love this TSZ...
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"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."-Nietzsche
Nietzsche, the man who predicted the war and chaos that resulted from Europe's enthusiastic unchecked embrace of nihilism, is presenting the basics of his philosophy through Zarathustra.
This mock-gospel, philosophical work is Nietzsche's criticism of mass movements or dogmas in general, and in particular he mocks the concept of a holy scripture through the story of Zarathustra. After ten years of solitude, Zarathustra, like a modern day Moses, descends from the mountain with the hope of teaching the people love and wisdom and helping them become ubermensch. . To become an ubermensch, one has to be free from all human prejudices, group moralities and create his/her own values and purpose.
Zarathustra's teachings include the ubermensch or the enlightenment stage, the concept of will to power, the fear of the pointless eternal recurrence, and the understanding that mass movements are for the weak who can't think for themselves and as a result they take the easy escape route to religion, nationalism, democracy or some other movement.
By the end of the day, Zarathustra is saddened by his inability to move this "herd" of people and decides to focus on those who choose to separate themselves from the "herd".
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