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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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I Am Dynamite! summary
Sue Prideaux
A Life of Nietzsche
28 mins
Brief summary
I Am Dynamite! by Sue Prideaux is a biography of Friedrich Nietzsche that explores his life, work, and significance in philosophy. It sheds light on his ideas and how they influenced modern thought and culture.
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I Am Dynamite!
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Friedrich Nietzsche’s early years set him on a great intellectual path.
One day in November 1868, a sickly but brilliant student at Leipzig University – Friedrich Nietzsche – received a life-changing invitation. But he almost didn’t make it; a last-minute disagreement with his tailor’s assistant left him without formal evening wear.
Running late, Nietzsche had to dash through the pouring rain without a dinner jacket to meet the man who would become his mentor and friend: the great composer and polemicist Richard Wagner.
The two bonded over Wagner’s music and their mutual appreciation for the work of the then obscure philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. Nietzsche left with a cherished invitation to visit Wagner at home.
It was a dream come true for young Nietzsche, whose intense intellect and passion for music were evident from early childhood.
The key message here is: Friedrich Nietzsche’s early years set him on a great intellectual path.
Nietzsche was born in the Saxon town of Röcken in 1844 to his mother, Franziska, and Lutheran minister father, Karl Ludwig. His sister Elisabeth was born two years later; Friedrich affectionately called her “Llama.”
Tragedy struck the family in 1849, when Karl Ludwig died after months of horrible illness and near-blindness, at just 35. His doctors ascribed cause of death to a brain condition. Young Friedrich was also prone to severe headaches and eye pain, which sometimes left him bedridden for up to a week.
The family then moved to the larger city of Naumburg, but from the age of 14 Friedrich boarded at the Schulpforta – the local elite school. Despite his delicate health Nietzsche excelled, showing a particular aptitude for philology, the study of ancient languages and texts.
He initially continued his studies at the theological faculty in Bonn to fulfill his mother’s wish that he enter the clergy. But his intellect was drawn to philology, and he soon left Bonn to study it in Leipzig with professor Albrecht Ritschl. Shortly after his meeting with Wagner the precocious student was offered the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel in Switzerland. At just 24, he was the youngest person ever to be appointed to this post.
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What is I Am Dynamite! about?
I Am Dynamite! (2018) is the explosive story of the life of Friedrich Nietzsche, the philosopher who revolutionized western thought. Despite his bold and visionary writing, Nietzsche lived a troubled life and received little renown before descending into madness.
I Am Dynamite! Review
I Am Dynamite! by Sue Prideaux (2018) is an insightful exploration into the life and philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Prideaux's meticulous research and detailed analysis provide a comprehensive understanding of Nietzsche's ideas and their impact on philosophy and society.
- This book offers a fascinating glimpse into Nietzsche's personal struggles, relationships, and the historical context that shaped his thinking.
- With its thought-provoking exploration of Nietzsche's radical ideas on morality, religion, and the human condition, this book challenges readers to question their own beliefs and views on life.
Best quote from I Am Dynamite!
On every page, you will find that I am only trying to thank you for everything you have given me. – Nietzsche to Wagner on The Birth of Tragedy
—Sue Prideaux
Who should read I Am Dynamite!?
- Philosophy enthusiasts
- Biography fans interested in European history
- Anyone looking to learn about Nietzsche and his work
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I Am Dynamite! FAQs
What is the main message of I Am Dynamite!?
Explore the life and philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, the influential philosopher who championed individuality and questioned societal norms.
How long does it take to read I Am Dynamite!?
The reading time for I Am Dynamite! varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is I Am Dynamite! a good book? Is it worth reading?
I Am Dynamite! is a captivating read for anyone interested in philosophy and Nietzsche's groundbreaking ideas. It offers an insightful exploration of his life and works.
Who is the author of I Am Dynamite!?
Sue Prideaux is the author of I Am Dynamite!.
What to read after I Am Dynamite!?
If you're wondering what to read next after I Am Dynamite!, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Entrepreneur's Weekly Nietzsche by Dave Jilk and Brad Feld
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- A Brief History of Thought by Luc Ferry
- Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche
- The Idea Is the Easy Part by Brian Dovey
- Dopamine Detox by Thibaut Meurisse
- A Handbook for New Stoics by Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez
- Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
- Common Sense by Thomas Paine
- Doing Philosophy by Timothy Williamson