Unpublished Fragments from the Period of Human, All Too Human I (Winter 1874/75-Winter 1877/78): Volume 12

This volume in The Complete Works presents the first English translations of Nietzsche's unpublished notebooks from Winter 1874/1875 through 1878, which include early drafts and near-final versions of aphorisms that would appear in Human, All Too Human. It also includes extensive notes for a never-completed Unfashionable Observation, early drafts for the final sections of Richard Wagner in Bayreuth, plans for other possible publications, and detailed reading notes on philologists, philosophers, and historians of his era. Readers gain insight into Nietzsche's emerging sense of himself as a composer of complexly orchestrated philosophical meditations and his development of ideas central to his mature philosophy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 640 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

This extensive collection in The Complete Works presents the very first English translations of Nietzsche's unpublished notebooks, spanning from Winter 1874/1875 to 1878. During this pivotal period, Nietzsche honed his distinctive mixed aphoristic-essayistic style, which would persist throughout his illustrious career. These notebooks encompass a diverse array of materials, including early drafts and near-final versions of aphorisms that would later feature in both volumes of Human, All Too Human. Additionally, they contain extensive notes for a never-completed work titled We Philologists, early drafts for the final sections of Richard Wagner in Bayreuth, plans for other potential publications, and meticulously detailed reading notes on philologists, philosophers, and historians of Nietzsche's era, including Friedrich August Wolf, Eugen Dühring, and Jacob Burckhardt.

By delving into this volume, readers gain a profound understanding of Nietzsche's evolving self-perception as a composer of intricate and stylistically innovative philosophical meditations. These notebooks not only shed light on Nietzsche's influences, but also showcase his remarkable ability to transcend the modes employed by aphoristic predecessors such as Goethe, La Rochefoucauld, Vauvenargues, and Schopenhauer. Furthermore, these notebooks provide a closer examination of Nietzsche's development of core ideas that would remain central to his mature philosophy, including the profound contrast between free and constrained spirits, the intricate interplay between national, supra-national, and personal identities, and the cultural significance of the process of Bildung as formation, education, and cultivation.

Stanford University Press is proud to continue its English-language publication of the renowned Colli-Montinari edition of Nietzsche's complete works, which encompasses not only his notebooks but also his early unpublished writings. This meticulous edition has been meticulously edited to establish a new benchmark for scholarship and accuracy, ensuring that Nietzsche's words are presented to readers in their purest and most authentic form.

In conclusion, this remarkable volume in The Complete Works offers a treasure trove of insights into Nietzsche's creative process, philosophical development, and cultural influences. It provides a window into the mind of one of history's most influential thinkers, allowing readers to explore his thought in depth and gain a deeper appreciation for his enduring legacy.

Weight: 486g
Dimension: 120 x 183 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503614840