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War and Peace

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War and Peace

By: Leo Tolstoy
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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About this listen

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 clearly seen 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.

War and Peace was translated by Constance Garnett.

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction War & Military War Russia Military
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Great work and excellent writing, but very hard to follow because of the difference between today's language and the way it is written.

Great for what it is. Not very climatic.

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An epic in its scale of historical events, the unfolding of its characters' and the philosophical terrain they navigate. without doubt the most enlightening combination of fiction, history and philosophy I have encountered! Outstanding performance from its reader.

Profound insight into human existence

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I so enjoyed this. What a epic story. I found it compelling. This experience has encouraged me to read more Tolstoy.

What a surprise

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Loved it, thought provoking. A brilliant work.

That is all I have to say, thank you.

Excellent!

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One of the greatest novels ever written, made difficult by narration lacking passion and charisma.

Great text, terrible reading

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A very enjoyable story, I actually loved the narration, it felt appropriate for the nature of the characters. The second epilogue though, why does he drag it on like that? I’ve been listening for 59 hours already, please wrap it up, this is just waffling, it’s not necessary!

The 2nd Epilogue is torture

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So d d c v c f f g g g g g vCard b

Red

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I can't deal with the narrator. I feel like he is being purposefully dramatic making it very hard to follow.
even for free I won't be finishing

sad

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I first read this book twenty years ago. It was hard to fathom such a profound book detailing on a fraction of the Napoleonic wars.
This time around, I was able to watch reconstructions of the Battles at Leipzig, Borodino and even the Duke of Wellington’s campaigns in Spain in the lead up to Napoleon’s defeat in 1812.
It’s fascinating to read of Napoleon being referred to as the “enemy of humanity”. In future years we shall read of the Russo Ukraine conflict which appears to be just as disastrous for the Russian troops as Napoleon’s 1812 campaign with Le Grande Armee.
The narration is superb and I was able to follow the reading at 1.65 playback. Well worth a listen.

Brilliant

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I enjoyed the story of the book, but felt like Tolstoy was often long winded expounding his view of the world instead of letting the story speak for itself. I’m glad I read it, but I’m also glad that Anna Karenina was my introduction to Tolstoy.

Great story but I wasn’t expecting the historical treatise

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