This is one of the most valuble guides to the study of Nietzsche's philosophy. Symbolism was at the heart of Nietzsche's project, and Jung is the master of symbolic interpretation. Anyone who is attempting to fully grasp Nietzsche's Zarathustra must consult this text. This edition includes an exceptional index, useful in a work of this size and scope.

Reaching a clear picture of the real Nietzsche is not easy, and this work shows one of the reasons: the systematic distortions of, not only the history, but of the actual corpus, of his work.
In a complex picture, we see, on the one hand, the controversial positions of Nietzsche on democracry, religion, and ethics, along with his criticism, at some points, of Judaic history, in relation to his extreme anti-Christianity. In the midst of all this, we also discover Nietzsche's sudden realization of what Wagner's racist and proto-fascist, anti-semitic clique of admirers were up to, and his shocked reaction and break with the circle. This initiates a long period of the denunciation of the rising anti-semitism of his times, next to his friendship with Ree. Then, after Nietzsche succumbs to his disease, and is silent, his corpus is appropriated by his sister, and the era of great distortions, and probable doctoring of his legacy and texts begins. As the author shows, the Nazis main interest in Nietzsche seems to have been to neutralize, and destroy, him by making him an anti-semite. The outstanding letters to Overbeck, the object of repeated lawsuits with Nietzsche's sister, but never surrendered, show clearly his anti-anti-semitism.
Cf also the recent, Nietzsche, Godfather of Fascism?, by Golomb et al. which critiques the 'myth' of Nietzsche's sister

The author of this book, Janko Lavrin, was a distinguished literary scholar who once taught at University College in Nottingham England. He is best known for his books on Russian writers, but also published three short studies of Nietzsche, one in 1922, another in 1948, and this one in the early 1970's. Some portions of the 1922 book, "Nietzsche and Modern Consciousness," and the 1948 book, "Nietzsche: An Approach" reappear, with slight modifications, in this book.

The British philosopher Michael Oakeshott wrote a very favorable review of "Nietzsche: An Approach" when it was published, describing it as the best study of Nietzsche that had then been written. I think "Nietzsche: A Biographical Introduction" is even better than the earlier book. Written in a very lucid and graceful prose style, the book elucidates the most important themes of Nietzsche's work, and relates these to his physical infirmities, which worsened as he grew older, and to the psychological compensations he made for his illnesses. In addition, Lavrin shows how Nietzsche's intellectual and emotional crisis was emblematic of the profound crisis European civilization was confronted with in the late nineteenth century.

The portrait of Nietzsche that emerges from Lavrin's book is that of a tormented genius who was absolutely committed to finding meaning in a godless universe, but who would never settle for the comforting illusions invented by the "herd" to provide that meaning. While Lavrin concludes that some of Nietzsche's solutions were ultimately lacking, he provides a moving account of the stupendous effort Nietzsche made -- and the personal and psychological burdens he endured -- in order to grapple honestly with questions that we are still struggling to answer today. If you have an interest in understanding Nietzsche as a man, and not just as a purveyor of provocative ideas, I urge you to read this superb book.

If you don't know much about Nietzsche, then you should read this little book. I'm still reading it and I'm enjoying it very much!

Longman and York Press have put together a short, concise, simple to understand text on one of our earliest film masterpieces. If you love Murnau's Nosferatu, then this slim volume will only increase your understanding and enjoyment of the film. It covers background and story information, discussions on the filmmaking process, and various interpretations of the film. It's a wonderful book for the film.

For years people have asked me what a new student of Hegel should read
- what authors provide the best place to start? The sad truth is that
I find old and new authors to be lacking in important nuances of
Hegel's actual philosophy. Some authors distort Hegel's philosophy
unbearably. I find this to be true even in Encyclopedias that try to
reach the novice. For the brand new student, I can recommend very few
of them. Perhaps J. Glenn Gray agreed with me, because he has
produced an introduction to Hegel in Hegel's own words.

I always
recommend reading Hegel directly as soon as possible. The trouble
with that is, as most academics know, Hegel's writings are among the
most difficult to read. His SCIENCE OF LOGIC is for experts and
professionals only. His PHENOMENOLOGY, long touted as the best
introduction to Hegel (it was his first published book), is almost as
hard to read as his SCIENCE OF LOGIC, and for many reasons I advocate
reading this book very late in our studies. Hegel's ENCYCLOPEDIA
covers every topic in the world, and so that is a fine resource, but
it is hardly the best place to start and its style is very formal.

Seek no more. This small volume by J. Glenn Gray is perfect for the
student who is ready to start reading some Hegel. It includes three
of Hegel's easiest and most relaxed productions, namely, three
Introductions to his LECTURE series. Hegel's LECTURES on Art,
Religion and Philosophy (composed of his own notes and the notes of
some of his well-known students) are more accessible than his
technical writings because his spoken style is more relaxed than his
written style.

But his LECTURES are also very long -- several
volumes long. So, thanks to J. Glenn Gray, only the Introductions to
Hegel's key LECTURES have been compiled in one short volume. Here at
last the new student has some of the cream of Hegel's thinking, with
many important nuances, clearly and concisely stated and accessible to
beginners. Hegel's genius shines forth even in his Introductions to
his LECTURES, and J. Glenn Gray deserves much credit for compiling
this selection for today's English-reading student. Though some of
the translations are a bit older, they are still accessible. J. Glenn
Gray's gift to the common reader was a success, and I heartily
recommend this book.

Reading the newly pre-eminent translation of "The Genealogy of Morality" by Maudemarie Clark (a standard-bearer in Nietzsche scholarship) and Alan Swensen, a book regarded by Nietzsche himself as "a touchstone for what belongs to me," one may well wonder if, since its publication in 1887, much has been established in the genres of moral philosophy or moral psychology that is not merely an unwitting (or unacknowledged) footnote to the scintillating propositions, probabilities, and speculations this book.

For further corroborative and complementary work -- by a contemporary academic gifted with a matchless synthesis of eloquence, erudition, and psychological acuity -- see William Ian Miller's "Humiliation," "The Anatomy of Disgust," and his forthcoming "The Mystery of Courage."

Greenhill Books has done students of the Peninsular War a great favor with this addition to their Napoleonic Library. August Schaumann, a 30-year old Hanoverian served as a commissary for the King's German Legion, paints an incredible picture of Britain's war in Iberia while maintaining a running travelog with wry humor and succint observations. Whether describing the horrendous retreat to Corunna, his cook (the Witch of Endor), the small kissable feet of a young lady, or the peculiarities of the English, French, Spainish and Portugese his insightful pen entertains and educates without stopping. His small book will make you roar with laughter and sigh sadly at man's inhumanity to man.

Kindly old woman loses her job and place in society when she loses her job as a prompter in a theater. She begins taking in unwanted, homeless shadows because she knows how they feel. Teaches about love, compassion and substitute families. Beautiful, dreamy illustrations show the frailty of Ophelia and the light within the shadows. Not for everyone, but will speak to the heart.

Anthro major? You might be surprised how much and how many tools come from Engels, as in Marx and Engels of Capital fame. The same analytical tools they applied to economics (That are used every day) here are applied to anthropological study of the basis of our present day social institutions.
Relevant today, as much as for info as for seeing where the ideas discussed lead to the arguments and theories of today.