Thus Spoke Zarathustra is a book that has the power to transform you, and Clancy Martin is here to guide you in that journey. Martin, author of How Not to Kill Yourself, has dedicated four decades to teaching, translating, reading (and now rebinding!) Nietzsche’s masterpiece, and he will show you how to use the book to re-examine your life and values.

Everyone has heard “that God is dead,” but few people understand what Nietzsche really meant when he wrote that phrase. Learn why this masterpiece might be both the most influential and misunderstood philosophical treatise of all time as you explore our new, contemporary English translation of this book, with countless hours of commentary to help you both complete the book and understand the deep truths embedded in this story as Zarathustra “goes under.”

SNEAK PEEK

Here are some questions Martin will explore with you as you read Thus Spoke Zarathustra on Rebind:

• What does Zarathustra mean when he says the greatest power on earth is good and bad, or good and evil? How have you seen this illustrated in society? In your own life?
• How do you exercise your will in the world? Do you find pleasure or satisfaction in that? Do you know people who see themselves only as victims? What might Zarathustra say to them?

Experience this special Rebind today, a project 40 years in the making.

Clancy Martin is a philosopher, novelist, professor, Guggenheim Fellow, and essayist. Martin has authored more than a dozen books and has written more than three hundred articles and essays on Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, the philosophy of literature, love, and the virtue of truthfulness.

Martin’s take on Thus Spoke Zarathustra has been four decades in the making. His translation of Thus Spoke Zarathustra is one of the most celebrated versions of the text in English. He has also found the book deeply relevant to his own life, reading it at least once every year of his adult life. “Every time I read it, I find new insights from Nietzsche and make new discoveries about myself,” he says.

Countless students across the world have benefitted from Martin’s perspective on Nietzsche’s masterpiece, and now you can too. There is no better guide for reading Thus Spoke Zarathustra than Martin, and his profound insights on the book are now available to you, only on Rebind.

Selections of Clancy Martin’s Published Works

• How Not To Kill Yourself
• How To Sell 
• Bad Sex
• Love and Lies
• Love in Central America

Clancy Martin’s Accolades

• Guggenheim Fellow
• University of Missouri System Thomas Jefferson Award
• Kirkus Nonfiction Finalist
• The 2008 Pushcart Prize
• Best Books, The Guardian 
• Best Author of 2015 and 2009, The Kansas City Pitch

Clancy Martin In The News

• NPR: A Survivor of Multuiple Suicide Attempts Explains ‘How Not To Kill Yourself”
• The Paris Review: Ordinary Human Love: An Interview With Clancy Martin
• The New Yorker: Clancy Martin’s Writerly Repetitions

One of the most widely quoted and yet equally widely misunderstood philosophical masterpieces, Thus Spoke Zarathustra is a work of philosophical fiction written by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Published in four volumes between 1883 and 1885, this book presents a philosophical vision through the figure of Zarathustra, a prophet who proclaims, among other things, that “God is dead, and we have killed him.”

Through a series of poetic and philosophical discourses, Nietzsche challenges readers to transcend societal norms, embrace individual greatness, and confront their own existential abyss. This seminal work of European existentialism articulates the death of God and the birth of a new hope for human existence, calling for a radical reevaluation of values and a rejection of herd mentality.

“Though it does have a plot, Thus Spoke Zarathustra really is made up of a series of exhortations or speeches written to inspire meditation, musing, and creativity, much more like a collection of great poems than a novel,” says philosopher Clancy Martin. “In this way, it is akin to the Bible.”

In his autobiography, Nietzsche claimed that Thus Spoke Zarathustra was the greatest gift he ever gave to humanity. Experience this genre-bending classic for yourself and get all your questions answered, only on Rebind.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher, poet, and cultural critic who revolutionized Western thought with his radical ideas on morality, theology, and the human condition. Born in Prussia, Nietzsche's works have had a profound impact on philosophy, psychology, and literature to this day. Nietzsche is best known for his seminal work Thus Spoke Zarathustra, a philosophical novel that introduces the concept of the Übermensch (Overman) and explores themes of eternal recurrence, the will to power, and the death of God. This groundbreaking work of existentialism challenges conventional beliefs and offers a fresh perspective on morality and existence. Another one of his most popular works is Beyond Good and Evil, a critique of traditional European philosophy that questions the validity of moral values and advocates for a reevaluation of established truths.

Nietzsche's writing is characterized by his sharp wit, poetic prose, and profound philosophical insights. His ideas on nihilism, individualism, and the pursuit of personal excellence have inspired generations of thinkers, artists, and writers. Despite his controversial views and struggles with mental health, Nietzsche's philosophy continues to spark debate and contemplation on the nature of reality and the human experience. His profound impact on modern thought and his bold exploration of existential questions have solidified his reputation as one of the most influential and controversial philosophers of the 19th century. His writings remain a source of inspiration for those seeking to challenge societal norms, embrace personal freedom, and confront the complexities of human existence.