Strathern's books appeal to two main types of readers: (1) Curious newbies who would like to dip their feet in philosophy and/or science; and (2) Lazy intellectuals who want to learn everything about everything without doing any real work. Either group will be ill-served by this book, which treats important ideas in a smug and cursory manner. The best introduction to Nietzsche is probably "The Gay Science", by Nietzsche himself. He's a much more powerful, disturbing, and beautiful writer than Strathern would have you believe.

This is really not a good book if you are really interested in what Nietzsche was all about. If you are trying to throw together a paper that needs a bunch of quotes, however...

I wanted an idea of what I was getting myself into before I clawed my way thru "Thus Spake Zarathustra" and this was just the book to get my attention. Some of my favorite quotes by Nietzsche aren't included, but they really aren't that important for achieving a basic understanding.

If you are really into philosophy, you probably aren't buying the "90 Minute" books. If you are doing graduate level work, you'd better not be in the "90 Minute" books. If you're taking philosophy at a community college just because you like taking classes, this book may save you a lot of time.

I liked it, I still use it, but I don't rely on it!

Strathern's book on Nietzsche provides a nice, easily readable summary of Nietzsche's life and work. Much of the book is devoted to his personal life, which brings the man to life. But his main philosophical ideas are also covered. Strathern also shows how Nietzsche's work fits into the bigger picture of philosophy. It is a great read for someone who wants to learn the basics of Nietzsche but who doesn't have much time.