an insight into the way his ideas formed and solidified.

A superb book for dipping in and out of, and ideal for anyone with an interest in the human condition. Born in Röcken, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 – 1900) would grow to become one of the leading figures in the worlds of philosophy and modern thought. An outstanding pupil throughout his childhood, he later went on to the University of Leipzig. Despite not having finished his dissertation or his degree, Nietzsche’s progress was such that his classics professor recommended him for a professorship at the University of Basel. However, the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War cut his teaching career short. Between 1879 and 1889, Nietzsche lived as a virtual recluse, devoting himself to writing. His most famous work, ‘Thus Spake Zarathustra’ established him as one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th Century.