War and Peace (Oxford World's Classics)

What can I say that hasn't been said already about this classic? I guess the only thing that would be to say it's the Game of Thrones of the 19th Century. It's the Breaking Bad or Downton Abbey or Walking Dead or whatever you think is this month's MUST WATCH TV DRAMA, that's what this was for 19th Century Russian audiences. War and Peace is a huge, epic historical soap opera, with intense battles and royal intrigues and historical insight and if you can read it and not be blown away then you're not paying attention. It doesn't have it's reputation simply for being one of the longest novels ever published; it's actually that good. I find it amusing that, in America, we're taught that the War of 1812 was this huge, massive deal and the Napoleonic Wars are glossed over as just some thing that happened in Europe at the same time while in Europe it's the complete opposite, and for good reason. What was happening in Russia and Germany during the early 19th Century shaped the next 200+ years of world history, the War of 1812, while not insignificant, really didn't mean that much to anyone outside North America. Even the English look at it as a minor skirmish compared to what was happening on the continent. Hearing this story from the Russian perspective makes it's historical import that much more obvious. Add in Tolstoy's incredible characters and impeccable descriptions and you really do have one of the greatest novels of all time, one that sucks you into the period and place and makes you want to know what happens to these people. You feel their pain and rejoice in their victories, even if you have to sit through three chapters of historical background to get back to the story. Somehow it all fits together and if you try to take away any piece, it's just not as enjoyable. It's not an easy read, especially if you're not a Russian speaker or used to their naming conventions. It can be a bit confusing at first who is who and how they relate. But get the cliff's notes (seriously, it helps) and slog through, it's totally worth the work. I have to say that I have a new perspective on the world after reading this; it sounds pretentious but it opened up a new insight into past events and the mindset of other parts of the world, as well as how that affects our current politics and where things could possibly go. Tolstoy's insight into Napoleon and his musings on world events is scarily prescient, or maybe we're just repeating history. Again.

I have read several versions of War and Peace. If the Maude translation were half as good as it is, it would be the TWO best versions I had ever read of this masterpiece. Published in 1869, this great saga works on many levels. It is an intimate snapshot of the cultured classes of Tsarist Russia around the time of Napoleon's ill-fated invasion: glittering, provincial, backbiting and sublime all at the same time. It is a study of the fog of war, the clash of ambition, the lust for promotion, and the petty, toxic vanity of those who prefer to be in charge of a loss than a mere part of a victory. It is a contemplation on the "great man" and the "great events" theories of history. (Spoiler alert: it rejects both as inadequate and pretentious). It is a meditation on religion, the meaning of life, on what constitutes real happiness. All of this is accomplished through the day-to-day interactions of ordinary people - with Napoleon, the Tsar, and General Kutuzov all painted in the same ordinary terms. There are moments of staggering sagacity. In an early scene, the primary character, Pierre Bezukhov, unintentionally insults a devout religious pilgrim whose beliefs he finds silly. When she understands the insult and tearfully goes to take her leave, Pierre (now deeply mortified) apologizes with such heart-felt penitence that she forgives him the offense. Would that such magnanimous solicitude for another, even when we disagree with him, would make a comeback. Just before Napoleon enters Moscow to take it captive, the glitterati of the military and the Imperial Court are busy jockeying for position, maliciously attacking and slandering each other, ever looking for an opportunity to make others the ledge upon which their ambitions might climb. It is petty, grasping and pathetic - and it is all wiped away in a moment as the French Emperor shows how grubby their little ambitions are in the face of his concentrated force. But once he has taken the city, Napoleon has nowhere to go and no subjects to cheer him, as Moscow's inhabitants have fled and set fire to the city. The "liberator" of Moscow finally realizes he has gone a bridge too far, removed from his supply lines, and with a Russian winter coming on, no less. His hubris and success have undone him - and the folksies of Moscow did NOT play to script by welcoming him as their liberator. Thus the wages of stratagems turned obsessions. When Moscow was captured, Pierre was taken prisoner by the French. A staggeringly wealthy, titled man, he lived in complete poverty and fear for several months. After the French retreated and he escaped, considering his sufferings, Pierre asked himself, "Would you rather be what you were before you were taken prisoner...we imagine that when we are thrown out of our familiar rut all is lost, but that is only when something new and good can begin." Pierre's captivity completed him. Already a good man, it forged something of greatness in his large heart. The Maude translation keeps the substantial passages written in French from the original (while helpfully offering translations in footnotes). I read French, so it was not jarring - and actually a little pleasing - to me. It may be disruptive for those who have to constantly go to the footnotes to see what was said. But Tolstoy actually used this as a literary device. Those things written in French were to be shown as artificial and contrived, while those written in Russian to be earthy and authentic. Even if you don't read French, knowing what he intended with this device will help you see the author's point of view more clearly. It is not an accident that the main character, Pierre Bezukhov, uses the French first name, "Pierre," instead of the Russian "Pyotr," while his last name is robustly Russian. It hints at the character's trajectory. In the last third of the book, Tolstoy embarks on several extended passages of pure political philosophy. Quite bluntly, he is a far more astute philosopher in his narrative than in his actual political opining. If this is your first read of the book, you will probably want to trudge through these muddled passages. I skip them over now, for they add nothing to the narrative and, I think, badly interrupt its flow. He does the same thing in Anna Karenina. It is annoying tic, but it is the tic of a genuine literary genius. When you start the novel, you may well think, "How am I ever going to get through 1,300 pages of this?" By the time you finish, you have come to so love the community of characters you wish you could remain with them for another 1,300 pages. All of Tolstoy's characters are deeply complex and authentic. The best have significant flaws, the worst, unexpected virtues.

Leo Tolstoy has written one of the great Russian novels if not the greatest of all.The scope of the story ,is grandiose. Hundreds of characters are described in great psychological detail. His descriptions of the Russian upper crust as well as of the downtrodden impress by acute observation and believable dialogues. The battle scenes between the Russian army and Napoleon's French Legions are vivid and carry the movement forward. The only problem I had with the book is that it is very long and sometimes difficult to keep track of the multiple personalities involved. Having read the book as a young man shortly after the Second World War ,with little social and psychological sophistication I now appreciate the book more thoroughly. The translation is very well done with only occasional lapses ,like drop[ping the article before a noun. Perhaps this was due to the Russian original text. in which articles are omitted.

I began reading War and Peace as a challenge to myself. I wanted to see if I could do it. Tolstoy's classic novel is famous for many things and brevity is not one of them. But what began as a personal challenge transformed into something that was both rewarding and refreshing--far beyond what I had anticipated. We live in the age of instant entertainment. If a story does not capture us within the opening pages, we toss it out. If a television show does not pay out sufficient enjoyment by the first episode, we change the channel. So our entertainment has catered to our appetites. Stories exchange character development for action sequences. Detailed and nuanced dialogue is traded for the flamboyant and the crude. Like fast food we sacrifice quality (depth, insight, meaning) for time. And also like fast food, we miss out. Because there is something special about a really long, well told story. There is something to be said for tangible characters the reader can truly know and befriend. Characters that will stay with you long after the story is finished. Just like in War and Peace. There is no question the complex and realistic characters make War and Peace the classic that it is. As I read, Natasha became my pure and innocent sister I would do anything to protect. Pierre became that old, childhood friend whose defeats I mourned and whose victories I rejoiced. And in Prince Andrew I saw a piece of myself. The same restless heart. The same search for purpose. These are characters who (just like in reality) never stand still. They are ever being molded by their circumstances, successes, failures, and choices that they make. They are conflicted with a slew of desires, ever competing between their contradicting natures. They have questions. They make mistakes. Some change for the better and others for the worse. Tolstoy gives us a front row seat into their internal wrestlings. There were even times when Tolstoy would describe a character's inner feelings that I felt he had put words to my own. Additionally, Tolstoy never shies away from taking an honest look into big life questions we prefer to avoid: Questions about life and death. Of greatness and meaning. Of the horrors of war and the emptiness of earthly pursuits. It is his insight into these questions that make War and Peace more than simply entertainment. War and Peace is a journey. Like a journey it has ups and downs—there are slow parts and there are parts you will stay up to late to read. But be warned: once you finish you may not see everything the same. And that is what makes a story a good story.

What else is there to say? It's War and Peace. I read the reviews on multiple versions of this tome, and I'm happy to have purchased the most authentic translation, and, more so, because I trust Oxford World's Classics quality. Enjoy!

The book is great! I love that the footnotes are at the bottom of the pages. However, the book came in terrible condition. The spine has grey streaks across it (perhaps glue?), the bottom of the front cover is bent, and the top of the spine is folded back. A new book should be in practically pristine condition.

As I've been telling friends and family during my 4 Day re-read of War and Peace, when I originally read the book at age 15, I realized why it is considered an all-time Great Novel, yet, I didn't get the full import of some sections, because I was annoyed and distracted by all the words and phrases that were in French. Now, having had a JC class on French, and, after reading thousands of books which contained dialogue and quotes in that language, I found those same portions, not just informative, but enjoyable ! I would recommend War n' Peace to Anyone who enjoys Reading and Learning. As someone who fancies himself a middling good Writer, I am always humbled when I read the truly Great Authors, and this re-read was no exception. As I told my Sister Carol, " I stand amazed that Tolstoy's characters and events which occured over 200 years ago, can grab, and hold ,a modern reader such as myself ", but, I guess that's why both this book, and Tolstoy, are considered "Classics". Now, I'm debating whether to go read Anna Karenina, or re-read some Classic Mark Twain ?

A wonderfully compact edition of this wonderful classic. The translation is excellent. Another home run for an oxford world classics edition.

The story of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace denotes French and the Russians in the year 1812. (2) During this period, the peace period, it describes the life of the Russian aristocracy, the Bezukhovs, Bolkonskys, Rostovs, Kuragins, and Drubestkoys. I will touch a little on the life of Perre Bezukhov, the illegitimate son of Count Bezukhov who had returned to Russia after gaining his education in France. He had acquired his wealth from his father who left all his inheritance to him before he died. He was ensnared by the fortune hunting, the Countess, Helene Kuragina, whom he married. There were rumours that his wife was unfaithful to him, and being depressed, he left all possessions for her and moved to Petersburg to live in his mansion and to oversee his estate and his peasants. He was approached by a desciple of the Freemasons who implored him to relinquish all his wealth and to travel and preach the Gospel of the Lodge. He did not give up his possessions but he freed his peasants, built schools and hospitals and eased the lactating mothers from working on the estates when their children were young. In 1812, Napoleon, being the Emperor of France and directly above the Commander in Chief, Murat, crossed the Nieman River into Russian territory, captured Vilnius and then Smolensk. Napoleon had aimed for a quick battle but the Russian forces led by Barclay de Tolly used the strategy of retreat and drawing the French deeper into Russia. As the Russians retreated, they burned cities, crops and supplies. The French faced hardships from storm, disease and desertion. They then captured Borodino and Smolensk and then marched the four hundred kilometres to Moscow. There was no engagement between the two armies from Smolensk to Moscow. His Excellency Alexander of Russia declared a proclamation that all the wealthy inhabitants should pack their most needed household items and take their carriages and vacate the city. He then directed that the peasants would burn the important buildings and make life unpleasant for the French soldiers. Meanwhile, the Russian soldiers under the Army General, Kutuzov, marched behind, and as they neared Moscow, circumvented the city, and kept his army in neighbouring villages. The French soldiers, as ordered by the Generals, began looting of the stores and barns and even the houses. It must be noted that when the French soldiers entered the city, there was at least six months supply of food, booths, and winter clothing for all the soldiers but they never thought of loading the carriages for the retreat. In the latter part of 1812, when the French soldiers were retreating, the question was asked whether the Russian soldiers did not cut them off and capture them. These are the answers: Firstly, it was senseless to capture the French soldiers when they were disorganized and fleeing from Russia. Secondly, it would be senseless to block the passage of men whose whole energy was directed to flight. Thirdly, it would be senseless to sacrifice their own army in order to destroy the French army since it was destroying itself by the cold and frost and hunger. Fourthly, it would have been senseless to take captive the Army General and Emperor whose capture would have been the highest degree of embarrassment to the Russians. After the war had concluded, at a ceremony in honour of Kutuzov, he was presented Russia’s highest Order by the Emperor and praised for his shrewd leadership in saving Moscow and Russia from Napoleon. Almost nearing the end of his journey, Leo Tolstoy was trapped between two identities. Leo Tolstoy the literary genius, the author of the most celebrated War and Peace and Anna Carenina, and Leo Tolstoy the spiritual seeker. But his wife, Sophia and his children paid the price of his greatness. Sophia bore him thirteen children, read and reread and edited his War and Peace seven times, managed the home and estate, and negotiated with the publisher, and in the end, Tolstoy wanted to relinquish everything and put everyone on the street because of his religious belief. But Sophia objected to his scheme and enquired about what would happen to their children. He was eighty two when he snuck out of the house with his youngest daughter Alexandra, leaving a note for his wife who had loved him for forty eight years. They boarded the train and he travelled third class and the cold took a toll on his body. At Astapovo the stationmaster gave up his apartment to make him comfortable. He died ten days later surrounded by the deciples and journalists, but his wife was not allowed to see him although she begged them to let her in. Only after he died they allowed her in and she hugged and kissed him and asked for forgiveness. After the war had concluded, at a ceremony in honour of Kutuzov, he was presented Russia’s highest Order by the Emperor and praised for his shrewd leadership in saving Moscow and Russia from Napoleon. Almost nearing the end of his journey, Leo Tolstoy was trapped between two identities. Leo Tolstoy the literary genius, the author of the most celebrated War and Peace and Anna Carenina, and Leo Tolstoy the spiritual seeker. But his wife, Sophia and his children paid the price of his greatness. Sophia bore him thirteen children, read and reread and edited his War and Peace seven times, managed the home and estate, and negotiated with the publisher, and in the end, Tolstoy wanted to relinquish everything and put everyone on the street because of his religious belief. But Sophia objected to his scheme and enquired about what would happen to their children. He was eighty two when he snuck out of the house with his youngest daughter Alexandra, leaving a note for his wife who had loved him for forty eight years. They boarded the train and he travelled third class and the cold took a toll on his body. At Astapovo the stationmaster gave up his apartment to make him comfortable. He died ten days later surrounded by the deciples and journalists, but his wife was not allowed to see him although she begged them to let her in. Only after he died they allowed her in and she hugged the body and begged for forgiveness. Tolstoy wrote two of the greatest novels, War and Peace and Anna Carenina- stories about the complexity of human relationships, but he could not live those values. He preached compassion but showed cruelty to his wife. He wrote beautifully about love but could not show love to his wife. “Because greatness does not exclude cruelty. Brilliant ideas do not justify abandoning the people who love you. And philosophy means nothing if it destroys the human relationships it is supposed to improve.” Prepared by: A. Sharma.

an engrossing and interesting character study. I loved this book. It is long but well worth the read and not as difficult and daunting as you might expect. A fascinating expose of the times

This is only a review of the translation. Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude who knew Tolstoy well and he approved of the translation. So counted as the most faithful one. This one is revised and edited by Amy Mandelker and has a very good flow when reading it. (I have 3 different War and Peace translations) I have the one who's not edited but prefer this one. It also have a nice font and size with makes it comfortable to read. So I highly recommend this one. Side note. A plus for having maps.

The edge of the book cover is peel off

Great!