In late 1888, only weeks before his final collapse into madness, Nietzsche (1844-1900) set out to trace his development of a tragic philosopher. He examined the heroes he has identified with, struggled against and then overcome - Schopenhauer, Wagner, Socrates, Christ - he predicts the cataclysmic impact of his forthcoming revaluation of all values, and he gives final, definitive expression to all his main beliefs.