Nietzsche's Middle Period

Abbey presents a close study of Nietzche's works Human, All Too Human; Daybreak; and The Gay Science. Although these middle period works tend to be neglected in commentaries on Nietzsche, they repay close attention. Abbey's study of Nietzsche's middle period paints a vastly different portrait of the philosopher: a careful, sensitive analyst of moral life. This work fills a serious gap in the literature on Nietzsche.

An excellent, well-researched and well-written book that authoritatively guides the reader through most of the consequential reflections of this phase, while also comparing them with those of the later works ... Abbey writes with a great deal of nuance and perceptiveness., Abbey assembles an impressive array of passages from the writings and discusses the issues with insight and verve ... an informative and well-argued account of the emergence of Nietzche's distinctive approach to morals in these years. The discussion is marked by lively interpretation and good critical argument., Most readers will find Abbey to be an intriguing, thoughtful expositor; hopefully she will gain Nietzsche a fairer hearing among his critics and spark more careful, sensitive readings of the rest of his works.