Beyond Good and Evil About the Author His first work, The Birth of Tragedy, was published in 1872. Beyond Good and Evil was first published in 1886. Though Nietzsche’s works did not sell much when they were published, Beyond Good and Evil is considered one of the greatest books. Nietzsche suffered severe mental disorder in January 1889. After subsequent deterioration in his health, he died on 25 August 1900. A great thinker, Nietzsche is remembered as one of the greatest German philosophers and his works continue to remain powerful and influential.