Walter Kaufmann: Philosopher, Humanist, Heretic

In this new work, Corngold (professor emeritus, German & comparative literature, Princeton Univ.) presents a historical account of philosopher Walter Kaufmann's writings, which ranged widely from ethics and religion to a major rethinking of Friedrich Nietzsche. Thorough and engaging, Corngold presents a vivid picture of Kaufmann's life through an analysis of his most influential works. The book consists of 17 chapters, each addressing roughly one of Kaufmann's publications, bookended by an introduction and an epilog. These dense, well-researched chapters will serve as excellent complementary reading to academics and philosophers studying and interpreting Kaufmann's varied body of work. The book is not, however, a substitute for Kaufmann's original publications, which, as the preface is quick to point out, Princeton University Press has undertaken to reprint, and may be a challenge for lay readers.