Pious Nietzsche

. . . Benson offers a decidedly new read of Nietzsche's piety, as one who . . . was deeply pious, although in a decidedly unorthodox way. . . Benson's thesis is carefully argued against the historical backdrop of Nietzsche's religious upbringing, blending together Nietzsche's early religious and musical aspirations, offering a new and convincing reading of his life and tears.Vol 35.2 June 2009

-- Myles Werntz * Baylor University *

[T]his is a rewarding study. . . . Karl Jaspers observed that 'in the end one cannot help but ask how a man who is by no means representative can still become as overwhelmingly significant as though he spoke for humanity itself.' . . . this remark puts us on the trail of answering the question of why our discovery of a pious Nietzsche might matter. . . . Bruce Benson will prove to be a helpful guide along that trail.Nov./Dec. 2009

-- Stephen N. Williams * Union Theological College, Belfast *

In sum: Nietzsche sought to know, follow, pray to Dionysus, god of Life, through a musical ask sis, and, in doing so, he transplanted a form of Pietism onto the soil of Dionysus or, better, cultivated the apparently alien form of Dionysus on the soil of native Pietism. He may not have succeeded in overcoming his childhood Pietism. But it is what Nietzsche was about, even if he did not fully know it.11/22/09

-- Stephen Williams * Atlantic - Andrew Sullivan blog *

I think it is not overstating the facts to say that Pious Nietzsche is the best and most important book on Nietzsche to appear in the last few years. . . . It is . . . an engaging and provocative examination of Nietzsche's religious life, rich with insight . . . .No.8 Dec. 2009

-- David L. O'Hara * Sino-Christian Studi