Nietzsche's impact on modern thought cannot be overstated. Generations have been influenced by this controversial and exciting thinker whose work nourishes academic fields as diverse as philosophy, literary studies, and political theory. This collection brings together in one volume substantial selections from Nietzsche's complete oeuvre, including some never before published in book form in English. It also contains impressive pedagogical features, including editorial sections on Nietzsche's life and importance, an introduction to his philosophical ideas, introductions to each major section of writings, and a comprehensive guide to further reading. Not only does the Reader generously excerpt all of Nietzsche's major texts, it also showcases selections from his lesser-known writings, including his early critique "On Schopenhauer," Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks, and the seminal essay "On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense." In addition, there are new translations of key pieces from Nietzsche's unpublished notebooks of the 1880s, including the first sketch of the doctrine of eternal recurrence, and the "Lenzer Heide" text on European nihilism.

Fate and history : thoughts (1862) -- Freedom of will and fate (1862) -- My life (1863) -- On moods (1864) -- On Schopenhauer (1868) -- The birth of tragedy from the spirit of music (1872) -- The Greek state (1871-2) -- Homer's contest (1872) -- Philosophy in the tragic age of the Greeks (1873) -- On truth and lies in a nonmoral sense (1873) -- On the utility and liability of history for life (1874) -- Schopenhauer as educator (1874) -- Human, all too human : a book for free spirits, volume 1 (1878) -- Daybreak : thoughts on the prejudices of morality (1881) -- The gay science (1882) -- Notes from 1881 -- Thus spoke Zarathustra : a book for everyone and no one (1883-5) -- Beyond good and evil : prelude to a philosophy of the future (1886) -- The gay science, book V (1887) -- European Nihilism (1887) -- On the genealogy of morality : a polemic (1887) -- 1888-1889 -- The case of Wagner : a musicians' problem (1888) -- Twilight of the idols ; or, How to philosophize with a hammer (1888) -- The anti-Christ : curse on Christianity (1888) -- Ecce homo : how one becomes what one is (1888) -- Four letters (1888-9).