War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" stands as a monumental work that delves into the repercussions of Napoleon’s catastrophic attempt to invade Russia, vividly exploring its effects on five diverse families. This edition by "Penguin Classics" is brought to readers through a translation by Anthony Briggs, and enriched by an afterword from Orlando Figes, known for "A People's Tragedy: Russian Revolution 1891-1924". In 1805, a dazzling gathering in St Petersburg is abuzz with discussions about impending war. As Napoleon’s forces advance, fear spreads across the nation, forever altering the destinies of three young individuals. The narrative follows the paths of the idealistic Pierre, the skeptical Andrey, and spirited Natasha, intertwining their lives with characters ranging from nobility and commonfolk to military officers and Napoleon himself. Tolstoy masterfully ties together themes of conflict and affection, life and loss, autonomy, and belief, crafting a breathtaking narrative of 19th-century Russia, marked by both human flaws and splendor. The translation by Anthony Briggs maintains the integrity and vigor of Tolstoy’s original work, while the afterword by Orlando Figes offers insights into the novel's extensive scope and its portrayal of Russian ethos. This volume is further enhanced with appendices, detailed notes, a roster of key characters, and maps for better context. Born in Yasnaya Polyana in 1828, Leo Tolstoy, after marrying Sofya Behrs in 1862, devoted himself to managing his estates and authoring literary classics like "War and Peace" (1869) and "Anna Karenina" (1878). Following a profound spiritual turning point in 1884, Tolstoy adopted an austere moral stance, renouncing the state, church, and private ownership. He penned his final novel, "Resurrection" (1900), to support the Doukhobor Christian spiritual sect. Those captivated by "War and Peace" might find similar enjoyment in Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov". Mentioned reviews applaud it as a "masterpiece" and commend Briggs' version as "excellent". ISBN-13: 9780140447934 Author: Leo Tolstoy Publisher: Penguin Books Language: English Format: Paperback Publication Year: 2007 Number of Pages: 1440 Dimensions: 134×196×60 mm Weight: 964 g