Believe it or not, that was the first thing I thought upon looking at the cover of The Portable Nietzsche. The author's physical abnormalities should not detract from the quality of his work, however, and Nietzsche is no exception.

Translation

This volume is translated and edited by Walter Kaufmann, and stands as the best of modern Nietzsche. Earlier translations are incorrect or dense -- avoid the Penguin Classics versions at all costs! Neitzsche's language is highly subtle and hinges on minute puns or connotations -- aspects with are lost in earlier translations. More recent translations, as well, take more liberty with the text. My reccomendation: Even if you don't go with The Portable Nietzsche, stick with Kaufmann. He's translated virtually every work Nietzsche ever put to paper, and they're all excellent.

Included works

This volume contains, among others, the full text of The Twilight of the Idols, The Antichrist, Nietzsche contra Wagner and Thus Spoke Zarathustra With the exception of contra Wagner, these are the most essential of Nietzsche's works: Idols is his monumental deconstruction of the field of philosophy, Antichrist contains his most famous critiques of Christianity, and Zarathustra is both his most difficult and most rewarding work.

Be warned: Nietzsche is not an easy writer to begin. He can seem dense, arrogant, confusing, and directionless -- however, I know from experience that once you get your feet wet, you'll be lost in his world for months -- and once out, you'll find your perception of the world permanently changed. If all you take away from Nietzsche is "Christianity is wrong," you're missing the point -- there's more to Nietzsche than we mere mortals can ever find.

Recommended: Yes