Rating: 
Summary: The Place to Start
Review: Far from being difficult to read (to understand is another matter), Nietzsche is simply fun! His aphorisms sparkle and, as Kaufmann points out in the introduction, his writings are so pregnant with ideas that one wants to return to them again and again. This particular collection is an excellent introduction to Nieztsche, yet substantial in that it contains four complete works. Kaufmann's introduction is very useful, and his editorial commentary serves to orient the reader without being intrusive.
Nietztsche challenges the reader to keep up with him as his ideas crackle like lightning from peak to peak (to steal an image from Zarathustra). The enemy, says Nietzsche, is the spirit of gravitas. If you want a companion who will amuse, challenge, and thrill you, start with the Protable Nietzsche.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Too Bad........
Review: I am not a Nietzsche fan, but this was required for my philosophy class (which, in turn, was a graduation requirement). This book is really good because it presents a wide selection of Nietzsche's works from "The Antichrist", "Ecce Homo", "Twilight of the Idols", "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" as well as various notes and letters that he wrote. I took one star away from my rating simply because this is Nietzsche and he can be somewhat difficult to understand. All that aside, even though I am not crazy about Nietzsche, this is really interesting reading (if you can understand it) and worth an effort if the subject content of philosophy interests you.
Rating:
Summary: A great assembly of Nietzsche's writings
Review: I once heard that the two main philosophers that are the most widely read by non-philosopher types are Nietzsche & Plato (not necessarily in that order). After reading this book and some of Plato's better dialogues, it is not difficult to understand why. Both write with a passion & provide a remarkable contrast to the incredibly dry (and many times verbose) prose of such philosophers as Aristotle, Hegel, Heidegger and Kant. If nothing else, Plato and Nietzsche are EXCITING to read. It is this which furnishes them with their popularity - even more than the fact that they are two of the greatest intellectuals who ever lived.Like all "portable" books in the Viking series, this one contains excerpts from works. This is not all bad, but it is not all good, either. I have always felt that it is much better to read works in their entirety rather than edited snippets. With this in mind, the book's #1 virtue is the fact that it contains an excellent complete & unabridged translation of "Also Sprach Zarathustra." In his book "Beyond Good And Evil" Nietzsche stated that "Books for all the world are always foul-smelling books: the smell of small people clings to them." (p. 43, Walter Kaufmann, translator). Well, if this be the case, then "Zarathustra" is most decidedly NOT a book for all the world. It is not written for (nor, indeed is even read by very often) individuals with small minds. It is an epic poem that was mostly written while this German fellow was stoned on opium. That fact not-withstanding, it is an astounding achievement. (It seems that Nietzsche produced some of his best art while he was influenced by opium - just like Edgar Allen Poe and Hector Berlioz). "Zarathustra" is a work that is of interest to both philosophy & literary types. It would be entirely justified for this work to be read in a German or World literature class as opposed to being confined to just university level philosophy courses. Due to his trenchant insights on art as well as his awe inspiring ideas and wonderful command of language, it is little mystery that Nietzsche exercised such a profound influence over such artists as Thomas Mann, William Butler Yeats, Franz Kafka, George Bernard Shaw, Maria Ranier Rilke and Eugene O'Neill (among others). Again much like Plato's Republic, "Zarathustra" is a work which must be read at least a half dozen times before one can really say he or she has read it once. The imagery and metaphors are dense & it is beautifully written - even in translation (Kaufmann deserves much credit for this). The elegance of Nietzsche and the grandiose and fervent style of his thoughts has made him an attractive figure to engage - even by those who disagree with most of or everything he has to say. But perhaps there is one single thing that I like about Mr. Nietzsche more than anything else; indeed, this is why I keep on coming back to him again & again. It is the fact that he does not expect or even want you to agree with what he says. Rather, he wants you to re-think what you believe & challenge the premises that your beliefs stand upon. In doing so (and Kaufmann has argued this point as well), he wants above all else for his reader to grow.
Rating:
Summary: Kaufmann's Nietzsche
Review: I remember when Viking Portables were actually protable. Now printed by Penguin, on thicker paper, portability is a challenge even for the most absurdly spacious cargo pants. Still, it is an important and interesting enough read to merit a try. Containing Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Twilight of the Idols, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and The Antichirst, this is the ideal companion piece to the Modern Library Basic Writings of Nietzsche. In fact, Walter Kaufmann purposely avoided overlap in the two volumes so that as much Nietzsche as possible could be encompased in two volumes. I hesitate to suggest this as a first volume of Nietzsche, and suggest the Basic Writings instead, because that volume contains Beyond Good and Evil, which is a far more systematic and lucid exposition of Nietzsche's thought. (This volume contains a small excerpt from BG&E, but it is not enough to serve as anything more than a sampling of the style of the work. This remark also applies to the other excerpts in the volume) Not to say that BG&E is more boring for being more systematic--the prose is still dancingly brilliant, nor is it my intent to say that the literary merit of Zarathustra makes it impossible to understand. In fact, for some genuinely poetic types, I have recommended Zarathustra over BG&E, but still, generally, in general, I would still suggest BG&E first. Walter Kaufmann's translation is now considered the gold standard in Nietzsche scholarship. It is easy to see why his translation is so clear in his introductions. Because he too has an acerbic wit, which he deploys against other translations, and blatant misinterpretations of Nietzsche's thought. In fact, it was Kaufmann's book on Nietzsche first published in 1950 that first cleared the air of all the misinterpretations endemic in the English world, in no small part because of the translators that preceeded him. The final verdict? Certainly buy this, but along with, not instead of The Basic Writings. Oh yes, the letters, they're important too, in clearing the air of misinterpretation. His last letter before he went crazy--he suggested killing all the anti-semites.
Rating:
Summary: The Unknown of Nietzsche
Review: In 1889 Nietzsche left the world in a fit of madness. In 1900 Nietzsche died. Some of the only available documents of these years are the selections of letters to be found at the end of this volume of Nietzsche's work. Although small (comprising only three pages), the letters provide perhaps the clearest glimps available to many of this period of Nietzsche's life.
Rating:
Summary: Read This Book - If You Dare!
Review: Just about everything worth saying about this volume has been said by the other reviewers. A few points are worth reiterating, however. First of all, Walter Kaufmann is a god. I read some of Nietzsche's writings in German while I was in college and, unlike most English-speaking reviewers, I can honestly say that Kaufmann's translation is superb. Kaufmann's editing is equally brilliant, and I recommend that the beginner follow the editor's advice and read this book cover to cover. Only then can one grasp the development of Nietzsche's thought in the manner Kaufmann intended. Another reviewer ... found it necessary to fault Kaufmann for overemphasizing "those bits which show Nietz. At his most un-Nazi-ish." It's true that Kaufmann takes this approach, however it's not really a fault considering the circumstances of the book's first appearance. This collection was introduced within a decade of the end of World War II. At that time, Nietzsche's reputation in America was badly in need of rehabilitation, having suffered from the taint of Nazi appropriation. In fact, because of the paucity of good translations and informed commentary prior to Kaufmann, Nietzsche was never really habilitated in the first place in the English speaking world. From this perspective, Wilson's criticism appears to be misplaced. My second point is directed at Nietzsche neophytes. Just about everyone is familiar with the handful of pithy Nietzsche quotes that have found their way into the popular consciousness: "God is dead," and "That which does not kill us makes us stronger" come to mind. I even saw an anarchist website one time that exhorted viewers to mine Nietzsche's books for "cool quotes"! (N. must be rolling in his grave ' again!). The point to be made here is that, like the Bible, Nietzsche's work can be quoted to support just about any point of view on any topic ' such is the breadth of his thought. But very few of these snippets carry their intended meaning unless they are read in context ' not just the context of an individual work, but the context of Nietzsche's oeuvre. Nietzsche took on the tough issues and came at them from all angles; and yes, sometimes he radically changed his mind. Thus, it's easy to accuse him of contradicting himself until one realizes the method to the madness ' namely, Nietzsche leaves no stone unturned in his quest for truth. This volume is particularly good at making all of this clear. A final note: Nietzsche will uproot your most cherished prejudices, throw them on a vivisection table and tear into them without anesthesia. Small minds beware!
Rating:
Summary: Nietzsche contra Kaufmann
Review: Kaufmann practically bends Nietzsche to his will in this masterpiece from the Viking "portable" series. Nietzsche's busy trying to defy categorization, & old Kaufmann, like any good lawyer, takes his client where finds him: in the murky Old Testament depths of Zarathustra & the Larry King Happy Valley of Aphorisms ("only Englishmen strive for happiness"). If Nietzsche is one of the most misunderstood persons in Western Hx, it's because he worked @it. Philologist by profession, romantic poet (Wanderer & his shadow) by avocation, he's been called everything from greatest philosopher to greatest Anti-Christ. Kaufmann works @some semblance of chronology here: letters, friendships, then the Zarathustra centerpiece, & the endless ordeal with Wagner (what were those guys thinking?). Finally, nonsensical stuff from his 10 years with sis: welcome to "My Brother-in-law, the Nazi." Portable Nietzsche was my intro. to him, back in high school, when I though he was radical (high school, as in "the 60s"). I still have the same volume today. I've read in thru maybe twice in 35 years. But what fountain of ref. material. Of course, these days, if you wrote as Nietzsche did here, I'm having all anti-Semites shot, the cops would run over with a warrant, beat you to subdue you, & there'd be establishment damage control, begging forgiveness of anti-Semites; then probably an ACLU-led lawsuit, demanding damages. & Nietzsche was already insane! As we used to say, "Nietzsche ist pietzsche!"
Rating:
Summary: nietzsche busts a MOVE
Review: many have (perhaps willfully) committed the error of relegating nietzsche to adolescence, or at least to an adolescent mentality.
nothing could be further from the truth. nietzsche's valuations of society and human beings only seem to grow more accurate and concrete with age and maturity. for anyone interested in self transformation through the destruction of abstraction, false values, and petty social conditioning, nietzsche is bar none the greatest philosopher to ever live. there may be postmodernism (best defined as "impotence delighting in itself"), derrida, lyotard, and a contemporary smorgasboard of philosophies which most assume have gone far beyond nietzsche. they are wrong. in fact, i'm sure nietzsche himself would have despised these movements and philosophers as deriders of greatness and will. all deridda does is 'deconstruct'; the rest of them pose as worshippers of the outsider in the form of schizophrenia, various madnesses, etc. nothing could be further from the breath of nietzsche's works; he believes in the hero and a palliative, if not ultimate, redemption for mankind through constant self transcendence. i would put nietzsche on high school book lists above shakespeare, above steinbeck, above conrad. read.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, insightful read
Review: Nietzsche stands as one of my favourite philosophers, and thinkers, alongside David Hume, and others. What makes "The Portable Nietzsche" so great, is in part accredited to Kaufmann's excellent translations, especially in "Thus Spoke Zarathustra". He captures the eloquence of Nietzsche's message and creates a smooth transition from German to English. If you are at all interested in Nietzsche, or would like to become more aquainted with his works I highly recommend this book. I must also agree with other reviewers that "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" must be read several times, though I suggest the first read to be casual, and to add scrutiny and critical thinking with each successive read. Unlike a great deal of philosophers who appear stodgy, Nietzsche infuses his work with passion and fervour. His words are thought provoking, and in my case, life altering in a positive way. I don't know what else to say, other than this; If you have had the urge to know more about Nietzsche and his works, continue on with it. I consider The Portable Nietzsche more of a manual of life than a collection of theories. For the most part, Nietzsche is the voice of common sense, but he would rather have you decide for yourself, I believe. Nietzsche is not for the faint of heart, however, and is shrouded in controversy over various topics, including, but not limited to religion, sexism and others. In my opinion, the open minded reap the most benefit from Nietzsche's words.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, insightful read
Review: Nietzsche stands as one of my favourite philosophers, and thinkers, alongside David Hume, and others. What makes "The Portable Nietzsche" so great, is in part accredited to Kaufmann's excellent translations, especially in "Thus Spoke Zarathustra". He captures the eloquence of Nietzsche's message and creates a smooth transition from German to English. If you are at all interested in Nietzsche, or would like to become more aquainted with his works I highly recommend this book. I must also agree with other reviewers that "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" must be read several times, though I suggest the first read to be casual, and to add scrutiny and critical thinking with each successive read. Unlike a great deal of philosophers who appear stodgy, Nietzsche infuses his work with passion and fervour. His words are thought provoking, and in my case, life altering in a positive way. I don't know what else to say, other than this; If you have had the urge to know more about Nietzsche and his works, continue on with it. I consider The Portable Nietzsche more of a manual of life than a collection of theories. For the most part, Nietzsche is the voice of common sense, but he would rather have you decide for yourself, I believe. Nietzsche is not for the faint of heart, however, and is shrouded in controversy over various topics, including, but not limited to religion, sexism and others. In my opinion, the open minded reap the most benefit from Nietzsche's words.
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