Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophical novel “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” is the sort of book that makes you wish you had a philosophy professor on speed dial, ready to explain the hard parts.

They’re not ready to delve into one of Friedrich Nietzsche’s works — but ... cuddly stuffed animals that play music, a picture book by Dr. Seuss can be the perfect educational diversion.

Hobson identifies “The Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, published in 1908,” as “the first book in English on the philosopher” (89). But Mencken took his title from Grace Neal Dolson’s Ph.D.