First Edition Thus; First Printing indicated. Very Near Fine in Wraps: shows

First Edition Thus; First Printing indicated. Very Near Fine in Wraps: shows a superficial scratch at the bottom edge of the text block; there is a stock sticker affixed to the rear panel that we have not attempted to remove and another sticker at the upper rear panel from which the price has been rubbed off; else flawless; the binding remains square and secure; text clean. Virtually 'As New'. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 8vo. 261pp. Paperback. In this fascinating volume the author does not set out to provide a biography of Nietzsche but a study on genius and Nietzsche's achievement of genius. After a sketch of the idea of Romantic genius the author provides sufficient biographical information to dispel some of the common psychological assumptions applied to Nietzsche. This book leaves me with the impression Nietzsche was more reserved than his writings attest. Nietzsche was both aggressive and sensitive with his friends. Criticism was a concern to him. He fails at love. And, he hesitates in throwing off the influence of his mentor Wagner. It is not until much later, with the appearance of Thus Spake Zarathustra, that we see the bold uncompromising Nietzsche. WIth regards to Nietzsche being a young genius, it appears that the rules of Outliers (Malcolm Gladwell) still applied to Nietzsche. He still spent that 10 years-or-10, 000 hours of time putting in the preparation to become what we have come to term "a genius". Between his studies, his lectures, tutoring, and the immense hours of writing, it cannot be said that he was born a genius but rather, as the author is at pains to demonstrate, he willed himself to be a genius. Overall I enjoyed the book and wish Pletsch would write a volume on the later Nietzsche.