The Birth of Tragedy

In 1872, the book was Nietzsche's first significant publication since being appointed professor at the University of Basel. His views were controversial and aroused criticism, while his espousal of the cause of the composer Richard Wagner didn't help. Nietzsche later revised his views on Wagner and re-issued the book in 1886. The present reading includes his 1871 Preface to Richard Wagner and the original book itself, with its famous discussion of the Apollonian and Dionysian in Greek tragedy.