War and Peace (Revised)

By Leo Tolstoy

Book Overview

Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read

Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once an epic of the Napoleonic Wars, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit. Tolstoy's genius is seen clearly in the multitude of characters in this massive chronicle--all of them fully realized and equally memorable. Out of this complex narrative emerges a profound examination of the individual's place in the historical process, one that makes it clear why Thomas Mann praised Tolstoy for his Homeric powers and placed War and Peace in the same category as the Iliad: "To read him . . . is to find one' s way home . . . to everything within us that is fundamental and sane."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679600841
• ISBN13: 9780679600848
• Release Date: May 1994
• Publisher: Modern Library
• Length: 1408 Pages
• Weight: 2.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 5.7" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Book condition

As described

If You Only Read One Book in Your Life.....

I heard a professor say that if you only read one book in your life, it ought to be "War and Peace." And I believe he's right. Reading a chapter or two a day, it took me months, but it was a most rewarding experience. To my surprise, the novel was not plodding and obtuse, like many classics. Instead, I found it enjoyable, endearing and informative. It tells the tale of several noble Russian families and how they intertwine during a restive period in Russian history. It also describes in great detail various battles and the personages involved, some fictional, some not. As a story, it had suspense, very well-defined characters, action and interesting plot turns. The book also contained essays by Tolstoy on the forces of history and other matters -- which I tended to skip over. But, now having completed this singular work, I feel enriched and satisfied. I'm no expert, but if someone tells me this is the greatest novel ever written, they won't get any argument from me.

Not Just for the Literary Elite

What's left to say about a book that more than any other is often called the greatest novel ever written? Some readers may avoid such enormously famous works due to intimidation or to a jaded (and unjustified) familiarity. To such folks, I say, pretend you never heard of the book except from a trusted friend who's recommending this book as a `sweeping saga of war-time Russia and its gentry class during tumultuous times' (or other such book cover blurb) and dive in. You'll be rewarded with leaving your accidental life and experiencing the company of people whose lives you'll care deeply about: Prince Andrei, Natasha, Nikolai, Pierre, and a host of others. No doubt you've heard of the huge number of characters in the book and that readers should jot down notes to understand what's going on. Yes, there are many people in the book but the main characters are a manageable number and most people reading for pleasure will do fine without notekeeping. And the book is long but so is the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Unforgettable characters, magnificent battle scenes, adultery, philosophical ruminations, and even some chick-flick tear jerker scenes - what more can a reader ask for?

Exciting! Beautiful translation in modern, flowing English!

Just want to write a short review. I agree with the other reviewer, Brady. I bought the book a couple of days ago and have been reading it non-stop! All the passages in the other translations that left me scratching my head have all come alive! I've always wondered, for example, why Tolstoy would describe Andrey and Boris as "looking more manly"--now I know he means they look "more mature"! KUDOS to Anthony Briggs!