Bruce Ellis Benson puts forward the surprising idea that Nietzsche wasnever a godless nihilist, but was instead deeply religious. But how does Nietzscheaffirm life and faith in the midst of decadence and decay? Benson looks carefully atNietzsche's life history and views of three decadents, Socrates, Wagner, and Paul, to come to grips with his pietistic turn. Key to this understanding is Benson'sinterpretation of the powerful effect that Nietzsche thinks music has on the humanspirit. Benson claims that Nietzsche's improvisations at the piano were emblematicof the Dionysian or frenzied, ecstatic state he sought, but was ultimately unable toachieve, before he descended into madness. For its insights into questions of faith, decadence, and transcendence, this book is an important contribution to Nietzschestudies, philosophy, and religion.