Book excerpt: Philosophy's greatest luminaries brought down to earth. Nietzsche Within Your Grasp offers fast, easy access to the life and works of one of history's most influential, iconoclastic philosophers. In fewer than 100 pages, you'll get all the essentials in everyday language. A short biographical sketch sets the scene, followed by chapters illuminating Nietzsche's overall philosophy and his most important writings. For students and lifelong learners seeking a point of entry into Nietzsche's radical pronouncements and often puzzling aphorisms, Nietzsche Within Your Grasp is the springboard to enriched understanding. Inside you'll find all the vital details, including: Life * Family and upbringing * Influences including Schopenhauer and Wagner * Descent into madness * Exploitation of writings by fascist groups Philosophy * Overview of key works, themes, and impact * Aphorisms, essays, and autobiography * Individual chapters on The Birth of Tragedy, The Gay Science, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Beyond Good and Evil, and Ecce Homo Additional Resources * Tracking down Nietzsche's major works * Collections, biographies, and critical writings * Nietzsche on the Internet Get a grip-Nietzsche is within your grasp!