Nietzsche's 'On the Genealogy of Morality'

Nietzsche's On the Genealogy of Morality (1887) is a forceful, perplexing, important book, radical in its own time and profoundly influential ever since. This introductory textbook offers a comprehensive, close reading of the entire work, with a section-by-section analysis that also aims to show how the Genealogy holds together as an integrated whole. The Genealogy is helpfully situated within Nietzsche’s wider philosophy, and occasional interludes examine supplementary topics that further enhance the reader's understanding of the text. Two chapters examine how the Genealogy relates to standard questions in moral and political philosophy. Written in a clear, accessible style, this book will appeal to students at every level coming to read the Genealogy for the first time, and a wider range of readers will also benefit from nuanced interpretations of controversial elements in Nietzsche’s work.

Review questions at the end of each chapter allow the reader to measure their understanding
Avoids pressing the Genealogy into familiar agendas and allows the text to speak on its own terms
Effective integration of the commentary with attention given to Nietzsche's overall thought

Reviews & endorsements

"This is precisely the kind of book that one wants as a guide: it is written in clear prose, persuasive, insightful, and illuminating. It is distinctive in that it takes Nietzsche's work as a whole book rather than a collection of aphorisms or series of essays, and its examination of the work's prominent themes is insightful and helpful."
-Christa Davis Acampora, Hunter College

"...serves to start the reader on her own path into this exponentially complex, rich and provocative book.... suited of all for a reader relatively new to the text, because of its structure and the comprehensiveness of its approach.... provides commentaries on each of the short sections of Nietzsche’s text, which is indispensable in fulfilling the role of a companion for any reader who may be confounded by a particular segment of the text.... Hatab’s style is exceptionally lucid throughout, staying well clear of jargonistic vocabulary, and thus accessible to any intelligent reader approaching the text for the first time.... for its rich and varied insights into Nietzsche’s most enduringly fascinating text this book is highly recommended for anyone interested in the Genealogy."
-Joseph Ward, University College Dublin, International Journal of Philosophical Studies

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