Exceedingly Nietzsche - Critical Essays on Nietzschean Thought

In this review of Exceedingly Nietzsche, the reader will find a substantial collection of essays suited for scholars and thoughtful general readers seeking rigorous interpretations of Friedrich Nietzsche. Edited by David Farrell Krell and David Wood, this volume gathers diverse original readings that emphasize Nietzsche as a thinker who resists single, determinate interpretation and whose influence reaches contemporary philosophy, literature, and the social sciences. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its breadth of scholarly voices that portray Nietzsche as a provocative resource for renewing thought rather than a fixed doctrine.

Key Features

• Diverse essays: Multiple contributors provide a wide range of interpretive approaches, offering readers access to contemporary debates across fields.
• Interdisciplinary focus: Essays link Nietzsche to philosophy, literature, and social sciences so readers can see how his ideas inform different disciplines.
• Scholarly editing: The editors assemble original readings that maintain academic rigor while remaining accessible to informed non-specialists.
• Historical and modern context: Contributors situate Nietzsche within both modern intellectual history and current theoretical concerns, helping readers trace continuity and change.
• Emphasis on openness: The collection foregrounds Nietzsche as a thinker who exceeds determinate interpretation, inviting ongoing reflection rather than final answers.

Who It's For

This book is best for graduate students, scholars, and advanced undergraduates in philosophy and the humanities who want a substantive set of contemporary essays on Nietzsche that challenge conventional readings. It will also appeal to readers in literature and the social sciences who value theoretical engagement and cross-disciplinary perspectives.

Readers seeking a brief introduction to Nietzsche or a single-author monograph laying out a definitive interpretation should look elsewhere; this collection is not an introductory textbook and does not offer a single synthetic thesis, but rather an array of original critical voices.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Broad range of contributors gives a panoramic view of contemporary Nietzsche scholarship valuable for research and teaching.
• The interdisciplinary orientation makes the collection useful across philosophy, literature, and social sciences courses.
• Editorial selection highlights Nietzsche's capacity to inspire renewed thought, offering fresh perspectives rather than rehearsed summaries.

Cons

• The volume's focus on varied, often specialized essays means it is less suitable as an entry-level primer for beginners.

Specifications

Title	Exceedingly Nietzsche
Editors	David Farrell Krell, David Wood
First published	1988
Content type	Collection of original essays
Scope	Philosophy, literature, social sciences
Interpretive focus	Nietzsche as exceeding determinate interpretation

Our Verdict

Exceedingly Nietzsche is a strong value for readers who want a serious, varied set of contemporary essays that treat Nietzsche as an open-ended resource for renewed thought; it excels as a research and teaching collection but is not a beginner's primer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for beginners?
The collection is aimed at readers with some background in philosophy or literary theory rather than complete beginners.

Who edited the volume?
David Farrell Krell and David Wood served as editors and organized the original essays included.

Does the book present a single interpretation of Nietzsche?
No; the book emphasizes Nietzsche as resisting determinate interpretation and includes diverse scholarly perspectives.