<p>T<strong>ranslated by Thomas Common, with introduction by Mrs F&ouml;rster-Nietzsche, ' notes by Anthony M. Ludovici</strong></p><p>German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was one of the most influential thinkers of the late 1800s, penning critiques on philosophy, religion and social norms. Nietzsche&rsquo;s controversial thoughts on what he saw as religious and political repression emerged early on in his life &ndash; as a schoolboy he wrote &ldquo;Very often submission to the will of God and humility are but a covering mantle for cowardly hesitation to face our destiny with determination.&rdquo;</p><p><em>Thus Spake Zarathustra</em> is Nietzsche&rsquo;s magnum opus on the subject of God, morality and political idealism. The legendary Persian philosopher and moralist, Zarathustra (Zoroaster), is his choice for the central character because, he says, &ldquo;Zarathustra <em>created</em> the most portentous error, <em>morality</em>, consequently he should also be the first to <em>perceive</em> that error.&rdquo; So it falls on Zarathustra to turn his own original doctrine on its head. He takes on the task of seeking the truth &ndash; &ldquo;to aim straight&rdquo;, as Nietzsche puts it &ndash; and finds his answer after much soul-searching.</p><p>The book takes the form of a story in four parts, styled with a biblical cadence. Zarathustra the radical thinker comes down from his mountain cave and attempts to persuade the people to throw off their stifling preconceptions of God and other-worldly hopes. He entreats them to dispense with life-denying concepts such as pity, humility, guilt, and to seek instead the superman, or &uuml;bermensch, in themselves. This &lsquo;beyond man&rsquo; would move past the human condition and would create his own life-affirming values and purpose.</p><p><em>Thus Spake Zarathustra</em> remains a provocative work &ndash; and is all the more valuable for it.</p>