War and Peace, Volume 1The novel opens with the aristocrats discussing the notion of war at a sumptuous party, an early indication of troubles ahead. Napoleon's invasion of Russia rocks the nation, but Tolstoy's concern is primarily with the personal crisis created. Centring around the joys and misfortunes of the Rostov family, he weaves a web of diverse, colourful characters; among them Pierre Bezukhov, vacillating between Freemasonry, philanthropy and mysticism in his desperate search for truth, the beautiful heroine Natasha, full of lively spontaneity, and the tragically disillusioned Andrei Bolkhonsky. War and Peace is a magnificient achievement, blending the historical, social, moral, psychological and personal in its broad depiction of human insight and experience. |
Contents
I | |
II | 1 |
III | 3 |
IV | 125 |
V | 231 |
VI | 343 |
VII | 345 |
VIII | 406 |
XIII | 810 |
XIV | 974 |
XV | 1105 |
XVI | 1107 |
XVII | 1168 |
XVIII | 1220 |
XIX | 1273 |
XX | 1337 |
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Common terms and phrases
adjutant aide-de-camp Alpatych Anatole Anna Mihalovna Anna Pavlovna arms army asked Bagration Balashev battle battle of Borodino began Bennigsen Bezuhov Bolkonsky Bonaparte Boris Borodino borzois command commander-in-chief Cossack count countess cried dear Denisov dinner Dolgorukov Dolohov door drawing-room Emperor enemy everything expression eyes face father feeling felt fire French galloped gazed girl glanced hand happy head heard Hélène honour horse hussars kissed knew Kuragin Kutuzov laughed letter listened little princess Mademoiselle Bourienne Maria Dmitrievna Moscow Napoleon Natasha Nesvitsky never Nikolai Nikolai Rostov officer old prince Pavlograd peasants Petersburg Petya Pierre Pierre's Prince Andrei Prince Vasili Princess Maria regiment replied rode Rostov Russian seemed shouted side silent sitting smile Smolensk soldiers Sonya speak stood suddenly talk tears tell thing thought told took troops Tsar turned Tushin voice waiting whole words wounded young