Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen, AMERICAN NIETZSCHE A History of an Icon and His Ideas Chicago: U of Chicago, 2012.

Abstract

This review introduces Ratner-Rosenhagens American Nietzsche, a book which traces the dynamic interaction between Nietzsches philosophy and modern American thought. Ratner-Rosenhagen begins her book by pointing out remarkable affinities between Emersons and Nietzsches thoughts in her prologue. After the prologue about the presence of Emersons thought in Nietzsches philosophy, the first half of the book examines the way in which Americans responded to Nietzsche until 1930. This is followed by a chapter devoted to Kaufmanns restoration of Nietzsche from his underserved infamy (or obscurity) starting in the 1950s. The following chapter discusses three anti-foundationalist readings of Nietzsche: Harold Blooms, Richard Rortys, and Stanley Cavells. The book closes with an epilogue which discusses Allan Blooms critique of left-wing professors abuse of Nietzsches value relativism in his 1987 best-seller, The Closing of the American Mind. This books complements Nietzsche in American Literature and Thought (edited by Mansfred Pütz) which features a collection of interdisciplinary essays on the philosophical influences of Nietzsches thoughts on American literary men and thinkers. Although Ratner-Rosenhagens approach does not offer an in-depth analysis of how such critical issues as perspectivism, the problem of language, and religious imagination, the book paves a way for students of various disciplines including philosophy, literature, history, and cultural studies. American Nietzsche is an admirable achievement not only in Nietzsche studies but also in American intellectual history.