War and Peace (Illustrated Edition) Kindle Edition

I've read War and Peace four or five prior times to this purchase. All of those readings were a struggle, not in being captivated by the story, but in handling an 1100 + page paperback book; additionally with poor print/thin paper and second or third rate overall reading quality.This three volume set corrects all of those ills. The three volumes are a very handy size: 8.25" x 5.25" x 1.4"; volume 1 and 2 both have 537 pages, vol #3 has 527 pages. The pages are thick enough that they do not have to be handled carefully and they also do not allow ghosting from the reverse side printing to interfere with reading the front side. The print size is excellent; however, my 78 years old eyes would have preferred either a bit thicker print or a bit darker ink. The contrast between the print and the paper is good with the paper being a warm off-white, slightly sandy color. Each of the volumes weighs about the same; although they are not lightweight they are not heavy and are a convenient pleasing size and weight that allows for easy handling. The hardcovers and binding are adequate. But these volumes need to be picked up and put down. Never to be thrown about or treated without respect. Although they are not fragile, they are also not sturdy. With care this set should last a lifetime. Finally cost. I paid $35 in July, 2023; after reading paperback versions, I can say this is one of the best purchases I've ever made!This set has the Maude translation. I find it to be the best that I've read; very readable while preserving the beauty of language that was so important to Tolstoy. Read the story for yourself, it will be nowhere near as difficult as you fear. There is ample reason for it to be considered one of the greatest works of literature ever written. But you will have to discover 'why' for yourself.

Sydney M. Williams“Autumn Days (and Nights) with Tolstoy”December 10, 2023“An historian and an artist describing our historic epoch have two quite different tasks before them. As anhistorian would be wrong if he tried to present an historical person in his entirety, in all his relations with all sides of life, so the artist would fail to perform his task were he to represent the person always in his historical significance.” Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) War and Peace, Appendix, 1868In the Introduction to my copy of War and Peace, the late Tolstoy scholar Reginald Frank Christian of St. Andrews University wrote: “Many years later he [Tolstoy] told Gorky [Maxim Gorky] that ‘without false modesty, War and Peace is like the Iliad…” Professor Christian added that he had “deliberately refrained from calling War and Peace a novel,” and noted that Tolstoy claimed Anna Karenina, published ten years later, to be his first novel. Tolstoy wrote about what he knew. Born into the aristocracy fifteen years after Napoleon had been pushed out of Russia, he had first-hand war experience in Crimea, where he arrived in the fall of 1854 in time for the siege of Sevastopol. What Tolstoy created in War and Peace is epic – a combination of fiction, history and philosophy – and deserves its classical status.In early September, I read Peggy Noonan’s column in The Wall Street Journal, “My Summer with Leo Tolstoy.” The first thing I did, after deciding to read the book, was ditch the one-volume paperback I had purchased a few years earlier and bought a more-easily-handled three-volume set translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude. At story’s end, I empathized with Ms. Noonan’s quote of George Will, who on completing Moby Dick wrote: “To think I might have died without reading it!”.Tolstoy wrote of war: “On the 12th of June 1812, the forces of Western Europe crossed the Russian frontier and war began…” “One step beyond that boundary line which resembles the line dividing the living from the dead, lies uncertainty…You fear and yet long to cross that line, and know that sooner or later it must be crossed…” He wrote of people, of four families, but especially of two individuals: Countess Natásha Rostóva, a “…strikingly poetic, charming girl, overflowing with life!” and Count Pierre Bezúkhov, a large, young, unhappily married man who searches for life’s purpose: “To that question What for? a simple answer was now always ready in his soul: ‘Because there is a God, that God without whose will not one hair falls from a man’s head.’” As well, Tolstoy pondered social, ethical, and religious concerns of the time, and he philosophized about the difficulty to understand the why of events like Napoleon’s invasion of Russia: “The higher the human intellect rises in the discovery of these purposes, the more obvious it becomes that the ultimate purpose is beyond our comprehension.”At over 1,500 pages, War and Peace is daunting, but it is captivating in all aspects. Like Dostoevsky and Chekhov, Tolstoy’s characters have names difficult for American ears. But they are descriptive and credible. Readers will not soon forget Andrew’s death, Sónya’s unrequited love, nor Mary’s loyalty. To those interested in the Napoleonic Wars, Tolstoy provided a window on that era from Russia’s perspective. And for us, living in traumatic times, his questions, thoughts, and timeless wisdom on life deserve our reflection. I spent many hours with Tolstoy, and I am glad I did.

In some ways a typical Russian novel in that it depicts life and events with stunning granularity and intrigue. And if that’s all you’re looking for, settle in for a treat and enjoy the ride. There’s plenty of it.But if you’re looking for an intellectual journey that challenges your concepts of what he calls the “Science of History”, confronting the most challenging topics like Freedom, free will, continuity of history and inevitably, then I can think of no better place to spend what took me a considerable amount of time.An intricate Russian novel placed within the context of historical events, surrounded by historical characters, and supported by occasional thought provoking essays on relevant topics that provide support for the fictional characters and meaning behind the history.Historically accurate, philosophically provoking and artistically genius. Must read.

What an absolutely gorgeous set of books! I read War and Peace decades ago + wanted to read it again this winter. This is an amazing box set! It arrived in pristine condition, shrink wrapped and will look stunning on my book shelves for decades to come. I strongly recommend this set as a gift for a loved one or friend, or as a special purchase for yourself!!! I’ve already ordered Anna Karenina in this collection and will be ordering many, many more class great works of literature from this publisher. You really must read Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Dickens, etc. at least once in your lifetime! Books like these feed your soul and nourish your mind. Any bibliophile would be ecstatic to own these books!!!

Totally worth it

It's technically perfect! The cardboard box isn't as hard as I thought, but it's good. The content itself doesn't need comments.

great story

Tolstoi is a giant, & this is his masterpiece. Bought for my younger sister, who just finished his Anna Karenina, & is now completely obsessed with Russian literature. Such a massive book really requires heavy-duty binding, & the box for the set is a nice touch. VERY reasonable price, considering the hardcover format, length, & weight. Highly recommended.