I read this book when I was 13, found it really boring but when I read it about 22 years old it was the best book I read up to that point. this book really deserves more than just another random, very long long book that just sits on the self.

War and Peace deserves its place in the pantheon of the world's greatest books. This translation (Pevear and Volkhonsky) does not. It is an attempt to make the language more modern than it is in the classic Maude version. So we have Russian officers yelling the very American, present day command "Ten - HUT" on the battlefield, instead of "attention". A sabre in the hands of a Russian hussar becomes just a sword. In the Maude version someone who bows obsequiously becomes someone who simply bows. A new adjutant "turns red" instead of "... with a flushed face....". In short, this version strips away much of the 19th century charm of Tolstoy's style. It modernises (and in many places dumbs down) some vocabulary and sentence structure in jarring, odd ways. The Maude version remains by far the best. It was done in Tolstoy's lifetime, and he gave it his approval.

I’ve always thought this would be a daunting and difficult read – and it wasn’t. It was actually a very interesting look into Russian life during Napoleon’s time. He shows the upper class, lower class, peasants, soldiers of all ranks by weaving an exciting and interesting story. The characters are dynamic and portray Russian society at all levels. Even the names of the characters are fairly easy to follow – for a Russian novel anyway. I was very pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable this book was, and I highly recommend it! (submitted by NB)

" On the 3rd of March every room in the English Club was abuzz with conversation and the members and guests, resplendent in uniforms or morning dress, some of them even with powdered hair and wearing Russian kaftans, were like busy bees in springtime, coming and going, siting and standing, settling together and flying apart. Powdered and liveried footmen wearing stockings and buckled shoes stood at every doorway, anxiously watching for the slightest gesture from a guest or member so they could offer their services. Most of those present were old and distinguished people with beaming, confident faces, podgy fingers, powerful gestures and strong voices." "Like any good valet Tikhon had a flair for following his master's thought." " Julie would go to her harp and play Boris the most plangent nocturnes. Boris would read aloud to her, more than once breaking down half-way through Karamzin's romantic story, POOR LIZA, choking with emotion and unable to continue."

something random i read this when i was 11

i should have read this years ago .

This book requires great patience due to its length. Don't look at it as a book with 1000 pages. Read 20-30 in a sitting. There are really three separate grades for this book. First, the development of the Tolstoy fictional characters I found somewhat boring. For a book almost universally lauded as a great Western classic, I was disappointed in this aspect. Second, his description of historical characters (such as Napoleon and Kutuzov) and the Napoleonic Wars was enjoyable and utterly first rate. Finally, his analysis of the ways of the historian (as a profession) is fascinating...although I disagree with several of his conclusions. Overall, 4 stars seemed appropriate.

Um do you think a middle schooler should read this? Is it suitable

This is my favorite translation! VERY WELL DONE!!

With Napoleon declaring war on Russia, this book focuses on families of different backgrounds. With a wide variety of characters the book covers the grand scheme of things, however, it was incredibly lengthy. As loved as it was, I had the author interrupting the story to add in his own commentary on the historical events.
- @Florence of the Teen Review Board of the Hamilton Public Library