War and Peace (text only) Deluxe edition by L. Tolstoy, A. Briggs,Prof. O. Figes

by A. Briggs L. Tolstoy

L. Tolstoy, A. Briggs,Prof. O. FigesRelease 01-12-2006 War and Peace (Penguin Classics, Deluxe Edition) [Paperback]Leo Tolstoy (Author) , Anthony Briggs (Translator), Professor Orlando Figes (Introduction) PaperbackItem UsedGood

Genres: Classics

1408 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Sherry Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatest book of all time! Brigg’s translation is imminently readable; don’t let the length discourage you. I could barely put it down. Tolstoy fought in the Crimean War, some of his ancestors fought against Napoleon. He drew on these experiences to write this masterpiece with a palpable sense of war. Not just that - his characters learn, evolve, change views and relationships in realistic ways. Motivations and actions fit each character. He creates a world that envelops you from the beginning, with layers of meaning that pierce your heart. This is the only “must read” from my 65+ years of constant reading.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent translation of a wonderful book. It is accessible and lively, while retaining what I believe to be Tolstoy's intentions.

[Hannah Kish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never felt more neutral about a book. Part 2 of the epilogue was incredibly difficult for me to get through. I wouldn’t read this again, but Pierre makes this 3 stars instead of 2.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Love gets in the way of death.
Love is life. Every single thing I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is bound up with love, and love alone. Love is God.'
- War and Peace,

It's in the sweeping battle scenes that Tolstoy shows how insignificant the individual really is--how even generals and emperors are at the mercy of random and unpredictable events. Then when Tolstoy switches to the intimate drawing room scenes, the entire perspective shifts, and nothing matters more than the individual consciousness that he depicts. The juxtaposition of these two feelings is just, well, genius!

Tolstoy has created a world. A world we are invited into. We are observers of this time, this place and these people. We age as they age and die as they do. This is much more than a novel. It’s a piece of history. History that will change the way you think. It is simply brilliant.