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The Anti-Christ

friedrich nietzsche h.l. mencken

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This is Nietzsche's last book and a fitting capstone to his career. It's succinct, biting, and encapsulates the criticisms of Christianity found in his other works. This edition contains an 8,000-word introduction by its translator, the famous iconoclastic writer H. L. Mencken.

91 pages, Paperback

First published June 2,1895

This edition

Format
91 pages, Paperback
Published
January 1, 1999 by See Sharp Press
ISBN
9781884365201
ASIN
1884365205
Language
English

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About the author

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friedrich nietzsche

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Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture, who became one of the most influential of all modern thinkers. He began his career as a classical philologist before turning to philosophy. He became the youngest person to hold the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel in 1869 at the age of 24, but resigned in 1879 due to health problems that plagued him most of his life; he completed much of his core writing in the following decade. In 1889, at age 44, he suffered a collapse and afterward a complete loss of his mental faculties, with paralysis and probably vascular dementia. He lived his remaining years in the care of his mother until her death in 1897 and then with his sister Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche. Nietzsche died in 1900, after experiencing pneumonia and multiple strokes.
Nietzsche's work spans philosophical polemics, poetry, cultural criticism, and fiction while displaying a fondness for aphorism and irony. Prominent elements of his philosophy include his radical critique of truth in favour of perspectivism; a genealogical critique of religion and Christian morality and a related theory of master–slave morality; the aesthetic affirmation of life in response to both the "death of God" and the profound crisis of nihilism; the notion of Apollonian and Dionysian forces; and a characterisation of the human subject as the expression of competing wills, collectively understood as the will to power. He also developed influential concepts such as the Übermensch and his doctrine of eternal return. In his later work, he became increasingly preoccupied with the creative powers of the individual to overcome cultural and moral mores in pursuit of new values and aesthetic health. His body of work touched a wide range of topics, including art, philology, history, music, religion, tragedy, culture, and science, and drew inspiration from Greek tragedy as well as figures such as Zoroaster, Arthur Schopenhauer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Richard Wagner, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
After his death, Nietzsche's sister Elisabeth became the curator and editor of his manuscripts. She edited his unpublished writings to fit her German ultranationalist ideology, often contradicting or obfuscating Nietzsche's stated opinions, which were explicitly opposed to antisemitism and nationalism. Through her published editions, Nietzsche's work became associated with fascism and Nazism. 20th-century scholars such as Walter Kaufmann, R.J. Hollingdale, and Georges Bataille defended Nietzsche against this interpretation, and corrected editions of his writings were soon made available. Nietzsche's thought enjoyed renewed popularity in the 1960s and his ideas have since had a profound impact on 20th- and early 21st-century thinkers across philosophy—especially in schools of continental philosophy such as existentialism, postmodernism, and post-structuralism—as well as art, literature, music, poetry, politics, and popular culture.

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
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RAMsonab
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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There are few human beings in history who inspire as much curiosity in me as Nietzsche.

He is truly a puzzling and fantastic figure. In today's society, attacking Christianity can get one into a lot of trouble. (Trust me, I know from personal experience.)

But Nietzsche did it in the 1800s, at a time when religion held even more sway. I cannot imagine the amount of vitriol he must have received for simply pointing out the obvious fatuity of religion.

He was a man who was far, far ahead of his time. His ideas were revolutionary and challenged the status quo.

Even today, his works are still widely read and studied. He is one of my favourite literary figures, and I continue to be inspired by his courage and his willingness to speak the truth, no matter the consequences.

Nietzsche's legacy lives on, and his ideas continue to shape the way we think about the world and ourselves.
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Appleseed4k
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Faith does not move mountains; rather, it erects mountains where there are no mountains... Thus Frederick replies in a book that is more like a furious philosophical rant that immediately attacks Christianity by defining good and evil, happiness, and linking them to power and overcoming weakness to establish a principle that states:

(The weak and the failures should perish)

To emphasize that compassion violates the law of evolution, which is the law of selection to preserve what has become ready to decline

And from here comes the entrance to the critique of Christianity as a house of usurpation of the body and the dark corner...

And it indicates that the church resisted purity with the incident of closing the baths in Cordoba as the first act after its conquest of Cordoba... 270 baths

Then he goes on to the reasons for the spread and the Greek idea of hatred of reality and indicates by preservation upon touching any body...

And he condemns by saying read the Bible as a book of innocence and not as a book of comedy...

Then he begins with several quotations from the Bible:

("And whoever does not receive you nor hear you, leave there and shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them")

("And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be cast into hell")

Then he implies that happiness is not a criterion for the truth of faith because it is a promise of eternal bliss...

And here begins a series of ridicule as we call it in Egypt to say that you must put leaps when you hold on to the Bible and that all of it is cowardice and all of it is closing eyes and self-deception

Then he puts forward the idea that sorrow and suffering impose submission and that even God was crucified so suffering is the origin and we are all children of God...

Thus, emotion is exploited...

And after that, he talks about the illusion of equality and that injustice occurs where the demand for equality of rights is not for their difference...

Then he begins to talk about the difference between the religion of contraction, as he calls it, Buddhism, which is done and not repeated, and Christianity, which is repeated and not done...

He begins to praise Islam... yes, by God

To say that Islam, in its usurpation by Christianity, has a thousand times more right to do so

Since Islam demands men...

Christianity has deprived us of the freedoms of the ancient civilization and then deprived us of the fruits of Islamic civilization...

And he boasts of the civilization of Andalusia, which emphasizes life, including rare wealth and the sophistication of life...

Poor translation
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bad_shipping
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The road was rather rough, and the assessment during the inspection

required careful attention. Every bump and irregularity needed to be taken into account. The condition of the road could have a significant impact on various aspects, such as transportation and safety.

It was essential to conduct a thorough analysis to determine the necessary repairs and improvements. The assessment process involved examining the surface, looking for cracks, potholes, and other signs of wear and tear.

Additionally, factors like the frequency of use and the type of vehicles traveling on the road also needed to be considered. By carefully evaluating these elements, a comprehensive understanding of the road's condition could be obtained, enabling the implementation of appropriate measures to enhance its quality and usability.

This would not only benefit the immediate users but also contribute to the overall development and functionality of the area.
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narukresna
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Nietzsche's views on Jews and Christians are clearly presented in this final book of his life. He deems Christians as "ultra-Jews," using derogatory terms like "bigots," "liars," and "vampires." Christianity, in his opinion, appeals only to the weak and women, corrupting humanity by reversing natural instincts. The pastor's son from Roecken is pompous and hateful in this work, sweeping through history and dismissing anything related to Christianity. Nietzsche hates "Christian pity" and believes only the strong should rule. Science must replace religion, and the trans-valuation of all values is necessary.

Interestingly, I read this book in 2018, during my priestly duties. Nietzsche's ire was directed at me, but his work is also thought-provoking for Christians. He criticizes small-minded Christians who domesticate transcendence. The "Antichrist" has important passages for people of faith, despite Nietzsche's racism and incorrect historical interpretations. It makes one think about their calling as a Christian.

Nietzsche's question "Why be a Christian?" is answered by a passage he intended to be disgusting. God is the God of the weak and broken, which is why I'm a Christian. His observations about Christianity were profound, but new churches are opening worldwide, especially in third-world countries, filled with women. I don't think the world will ever be rid of Christians, and I wonder what Bonhoeffer thought of Nietzsche's line about the Germans being to blame if Christianity can't be eradicated.
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MegaMerk
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I firmly believe that Nietzsche is the greatest among all philosophers. He was not only the most prophetic but also the bravest one who dared to go against the grain. His writing style is characterized by its virility and power. He never minces words and yet, his works are beautifully poetic. With each passing year, his writings seem to become even more relevant.


Whether one agrees with Nietzsche or not, a book like his was truly an atomic bomb in 19th century Europe. It took an enormous amount of courage and intellectual freedom to pen such works.


For someone like myself who has (or had) Christian beliefs, it is a tough read. Nietzsche's philosophy is centered around the love for life, the affirmation of beauty, strength, courage, and virtue - in essence, the Greek-Roman values. In his eyes, Christianity goes against these values in every possible way. He even goes so far as to claim that Christianity caused the fall of Rome. This serves as a good summary of his critique of Christian values. At times, it may seem a bit repetitive, but the final approximately 10 sections are truly brilliant.


Overall, I would rate the book 4 stars. However, when it comes to historical impact, context, and genius, it definitely deserves 5 stars.
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ranaraishere
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The Antichrist, penned by the philosopher Frederich Nietzsche, offers profound insights into his perspective on Christianity. In this work, Nietzsche elaborates on how he believes Christianity has had a significantly damaging impact on western civilization. It becomes immediately evident to the reader that he desires the end of Christianity.


This concise book presents as passionate rants, and I found it to be quite intense. However, it wasn't overly intense to the point of deterring me. In fact, I adored it. Nietzsche is a master in his philosophical tirades, and I largely concur with his views. While there were certain aspects that didn't resonate as strongly with me, others hit me squarely in the face. He clearly knew what he was discussing.


Reading this book inevitably prompts the question: why do people believe? I can unapologetically admit that, having been raised as a Catholic, I did believe until I managed to break free from the clutches of school and the Catholic system. Only then was I able to breathe, read, and think for myself. It then became abundantly clear that I believed in none of it, leading me to deconvert to atheism.


Nietzsche expounds on how the church directly opposes philosophy, science, and our intellect, essentially going against all of human life as we understand it. I appreciate the way this reads like a diary, and how Nietzsche adeptly poses questions and provides answers for those who may require ammunition in the debate about Christianity.


Upon completing this work, it is evident that Nietzsche loathed Christianity. As a result, I have gleaned some fascinating theories from a man whom I personally consider to be a genius.

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SkiesOfBlue
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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As an atheist, I truly wish I could have liked this book better. However, it is unfortunately filled to the brim with crazy name-calling, smug self-congratulating, and angry bellowing. This leaves only about one-third of the book dedicated to explaining his ideas. I can't say that his ideas are extremely crazy. When you really boil it down, he claims that Catholicism is the anti-Christ because it allegedly never grasped Jesus's real message. According to him, Jesus's message was to live naturally and in a sort of live-and-let-live (or die) manner. Instead, Catholicism perverted this message and turned it into shenanigans about hell, sin, and immortal life. By doing so, it negates every natural instinct and the value of actual life by overly stressing the importance of life after death. And that, I think, is a worthy idea. But it's just that this idea is pretty much buried under a mountain of hate and craziness. There's also this whole "KANT I HATE YOUUUU" thing, and he seems to hate Jews, women, other men, Germans, and people in general. You can't even single out one group and say he was specifically a jackass to them (well, maybe to Jews). He just thoroughly hates everyone.

It deeply reminds me of those fanboys who troll the comic boards. It's like a screemo of hatred and vitriol.

Overall, while there may be some interesting ideas buried within, the way they are presented makes it a difficult read.
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Unregistered00
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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"The Antichrist" is a rather audacious indictment against Christianity, or to be more precise, against what Christian morality had become during Nietzsche's era. He specifically accuses the priests of having distorted the original teachings of Christ, of presenting the negation of life as an ideal, and of causing people to abandon the real world and seek refuge in an illusory and false one.

I perhaps began reading this book a bit prematurely. I had only read "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," one of Nietzsche's earlier works, and "The Antichrist" is among his later ones. Nevertheless, there are numerous references to his previous works, and I felt like a poor student who hadn't done his homework properly and couldn't fully follow the master's argument. Fortunately, the translator's comments filled in some of my knowledge gaps to a certain extent.

In any event, Nietzsche's writing style is unique and enjoyable to read. It is often impertinent and bold, sometimes passionate and unjust, and makes use of puns and irony. All of this makes it easier for "the uninitiated" to access his works and gain an understanding of his ideas.
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