Leo Strauss on Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra"

Although Leo Strauss published little on Nietzsche, his lectures and correspondence demonstrate a deep critical engagement with Nietzsches thought. One of the richest contributions is a seminar on Nietzsches Thus Spoke Zarathustra, taught in 1959 during Strausss tenure at the University of Chicago. In the lectures, Strauss draws important parallels between Nietzsches most important project and his own ongoing efforts to restore classical political philosophy. With Leo Strauss on Nietzsches Thus Spoke Zarathustra, eminent Strauss scholar Richard L. Velkley presents Strausss lectures on Zarathustra with superb annotations that bring context and clarity to the critical role played by Nietzsche in shaping Strausss thought. In addition to the broad relationship between Nietzsche and political philosophy, Strauss adeptly guides readers through Heideggers confrontations with Nietzsche, laying out Heideggers critique of Nietzsches will to power while also showing how Heidegger can be read as a foil for his own reading of Nietzsche. The lectures also shed light on the relationship between Heidegger and Strauss, as both philosophers saw Nietzsche as a central figure for understanding the crisis of philosophy and Western civilization. Strausss reading of Nietzsche is one of the importantyet little appreciatedphilosophical inquiries of the past century, both an original interpretation of Nietzsches thought and a deep engagement with the core problems that modernity posed for political philosophy. It will be welcomed by anyone interested in the work of either philosopher.