cameronius 's review for:

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

3.0

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This title owes its reputation to the sheer breadth and scope of the story, which encompasses dozens of characters in Russia during the Napoleonic Wars. Also, its length. At over 1450 pages, this is the longest book I've read and a complete portrait of human life. It wouldn't be hyperbole to say Tolstoy represents the total human experience through adversity and triumph within this book. Yet, this isn't quite a novel and Tolstoy is explicit about it. Sizable portions of the book are devoted to long digressions on the philosophy of history, military strategy and analysis. Without a background in the latter, the passages can be tedious. But that said, this book is a demonstation of Tolstoy's complete mastery as a novelist.