The birth of tragedy (1872) Was Nietzsche's 1st book. Its youthful faults were exposed by him in the brilliant 'attempt at a self-criticism' which he added to the new edition of 1886. But the book, whatever its excesses,...The birth of tragedy (1872) Was Nietzsche's 1st book. Its youthful faults were exposed by him in the brilliant 'attempt at a self-criticism' which he added to the new edition of 1886. But the book, whatever its excesses, remains one of the most relevant statements on tragedy ever penned.