Summary The life of peoples and humanity is the subject of history, writes Tolstoy, and the writing of history is an attempt to make intelligible the course of human events. But, he asks rhetorically, what is the cause of these events, and what is the force that moves nations? Historians […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Second EpilogueSummary and Analysis First Epilogue
Summary In the seven years that have passed, Alexander passes from the liberalism of his early reign to a period of reaction, characterized by the Holy Alliance, the restoration of Poland, and the balance-of-power politics beginning in 1820. These, then, are the events, and the judgments we make about them […]
Read more Summary and Analysis First EpilogueSummary and Analysis Book XV: Chapters 12–20
Summary Although outwardly unchanged, Pierre is inwardly different since his imprisonment. He has become a good listener and everyone who talks to him feels understood and secure. His quiet gentleness encourages people to open their hearts to him and express the best sides of their character. Decisions now come easily […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book XV: Chapters 12–20Summary and Analysis Book XV: Chapters 4–11
Summary Unable to restrain his troops, Kutuzov unwillingly fights at Vyazma and his troops race after the fleeing French with their pursuit exacting a terrible toll of men and horses. All Kutuzov wishes to do is to follow the enemy and”see them off,” but his ambitious generals, anxious to distinguish […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book XV: Chapters 4–11Summary and Analysis Book XV: Chapters 1–3
Summary Since Andrey’s death, Princess Marya and Natasha keep to themselves and never mention him. Marya emerges from mourning first, because she has commitments to Nikolushka and to her estate, while Natasha gives herself up entirely to her thoughts. What rouses Natasha from her morbid lethargy is a resurgence of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book XV: Chapters 1–3Summary and Analysis Book XIV
Summary Tolstoy now shows how the events of 1812 violate all the”rules” of history historians write about. Nations are considered conquered, he writes, when the invaders win more battles than the defenders and occupy the enemy capital. The French, for example, who have repeatedly won battles, especially that of Borodino, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book XIVSummary and Analysis Book XIII
Summary A close look at historical events, writes Tolstoy, shows us that the heroes of history are controlled by the actions of the multitudes. By showing various incidents of this part of the war occurring through freak happenings (he cites the battle of Tarutino occurring because a Cossack, hunting rabbits, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book XIIISummary and Analysis Book XII: Chapters 14–16
Summary Princess Marya makes the two-week journey to see her brother for the last time. Her love for Nikolay provides her with the spiritual strength she needs to encounter the dying Andrey. Greeted tenderly by the Rostovs, pitying Count Ilya Andreitch, who now seems aged and bewildered, Princess Marya feels […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book XII: Chapters 14–16Summary and Analysis Book XII: Chapters 1–13
Summary Petersburg society has hardly changed during these critical times, and the aristocrats still hold balls, levees, and theater parties, and they are still concerned with court politics. They rejoice at the victory of Borodino and discuss the battle with the same emotions they talk of Ellen Bezuhov’s sudden heart […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book XII: Chapters 1–13Summary and Analysis Book XI: Chapters 30–34
Summary With the road so crowded, the Rostovs are able to travel only five versts out of Moscow, and they stop for the night among some huts in a small village. An ever-brightening glow shines from Moscow, and the servants who sit outside the hut mourn and pray for”our mother, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book XI: Chapters 30–34