" . . . a richly textured intellectual biography . . . " -History" . . . well worth reading and pondering by all who are concerned with the fate of humankind in capitalist civilization." -Socialism and Democracy" . . . an extraordinary book. Although intellectually challenging, it is well worth the effort to read." -New York City Tribune" . . . insightful and richly documented . . . " -Review of Politics"The novelty and value of this book lie in Bergmann's painstaking examination of Nietzsche's reactions to and interaction with the political events and currents of his time." -American Historical Review" . . . superb . . . " -The Historian" . . . historian Bergmann has given the basic Nietzsche library a major addition . . . it is a reading of Nietzsche's early life, educational influences and later career by a scholar intent on recording the interaction of the philosopher with the political events of his own time." -MonatshefteAmong both admirers and detractors, perhaps no issue has remained as hotly contested as Nietzsche's actual relationship to politics. Peter Bergmann's fine intellectual biography provides the first down-to-earth appraisal of Nietzsche's place among the individuals, events, and concerns of the Bismarckian age.