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Schopenhauer's father committed suicide. Son Arthur had been very devoted to his father Heinrich Floris. The high-sensitive son could not deal with the fact, that his mother Johanna had preferred to talk with Goethe in her Weimar Literary Salon instead of helping her husband, getting more and more depressed as a salesman in Hamburg. A typical, later on dialogue between mother (at that time a famous novelist) and son, fresh university lecturer: "One still will read my writings, at a time, when your books are out of stock and only one copy can be found in a lumber-room." Mother thereupon sneering: "The whole, complete edition of your writings, my son, still will be waiting to get an order to be shipped..." (the reviewer fears that his own frizztext-book might have to suffer the same fate). "The World as Will", as too much inconsiderate will-to-live - in such a way Schopenhauer (February 22, 1788 - September 21, 1860) experienced the whole human being. With persistance and arrogance, with brain and bile, suffering and bitterly, but with sensitivity and empathy as well he wrote - trying not to get overwhelmed by disgust. He had a deep neurotic aversion against women (surely involved by his mother). Once he pushed in anger his charwoman down the stairs backwards. But this female individual offered resistance very intellectually: She successful called a judge and Schopenhauer was sentenced, to pay a pension to her - all her life long. But exactly this evil bile encouraged him, on the other hand, to fight against mother Johanna and Goethe, against Hegel and diverse money-lenders. However just opposite to his choleric, hot-tempered way of life, his philosophical theory proclaimed to be calm as a Buddha. He adored Eastern Vedic (Buddhist) Scriptures. He adored enjoying art as a way out of the more mediocre and less passionate masses. The summary of his philosophy finally is the reference to the noblesse to demand nothing; this German philosopher's hope is, that "willing" might be silenced. 150 years and some wars later we all should agree. "To be vulgar is nothing else than giving the leading role in our consciousness to the will and not to the cognition." This tiny book is still able to help today's readers to climb not a meditative, but a thoughtful level. And still it is not out of stock in the most nations ...

This book grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and forced me to evaluate my priorities in life. This book has had more practical influence on the way I actually live my life day-to-day than any other. Never has pessimism been so beautiful. I'm glad I didn't die before I had the chance to read this book. This is the best-kept secret in the annals of wisdom. Schopenhauer's pessimism is like a solvent that cleans all the nasty sludge off your moving parts, and his wit is like a fresh grease-pack in your bearings. Read it and tell a friend!

A recapitulation of Schopenhauer's key ideas, such as the vanity of earthly existence and the suffering in the world, along with some engrossing sections on suicide, religion and psychology. The notorious essay on women, I must say, contains some hilarious views which some may now find backward but - (and I dare say this!) - I found myself perfectly in agreement with Schopenhauer with regards to the character of the weaker sex. Otherwise the wit, the erudition, the breadth of scope, are all the marks of a truly great mind and an undisputed master of prose style. I wouldn't recommend this abridged version, though, since it grubbily truncates the essays and the final effect is altogether diluted. However, if one can't get hold of the unabridged one, this edition is an entertaining enough read and deserves a glance.

i picked this little volume up when i was 28 years old, and have yet to find anything in my life experience to contradict it. the section on women is right on the mark, though in our emasculated age it is the truth we dare not speak. a friend, upon picking up the book and reading the first paragraph, remarked, 'i dont want to read anything depressing, no matter how true it is'. a wonderful editing and translation, this volume inspired me to read both volumes of 'the world as...', yet i found there nothing substantially new. this book is the essential schopenhauer, one of the few, true geniuses.

In this book one finds Schopenhauer simultaneously at his unique & refreshing best.Unique in his astounding philosophies,which may leave the reader amazed,humored,& at times baffled by his thoughts.Refreshed in the keen eye of this convincing observer,whose musings in life & thought are reinvigorating almost to the point & at times reaching the point of near inspiration.A fine book to get introducted to on this stimulating & unforgettable man.