War and Peace

By: Leo Tolstoy

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once a historical war epic, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit.

Noted for its mastery of realistic detail and psychological analysis, War and Peace follows the metamorphosis of five aristocratic families against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. Individual stories interweave as each of Tolstoy’s memorable characters seek fulfillment, fall in love, make mistakes, and become scarred by war in different ways.

Out of this complex narrative emerges a profound examination of the individual’s place in the historical process.

Thomas Mann praised Tolstoy for his Homeric powers: “To be played upon by the animal keenness of this eye, the sheer power of this creative attack, the entirely clear and true greatness…of this epic, is to find one’s way home…to everything within us that is fundamental and sane.”

(P)1997 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“There will not be a better recording of Tolstoy’s masterpiece for some time…The impressive dialog sparkles with humor and wit, and the vivid scenes of battle are riveting…Davidson’s exquisite narration heightens the perfection of this novel, regarded as one of the greatest in literature.”

(Library Journal (audio review))

"[War and Peace] felt so specific to the world of Tolstoy’s creation but also to right now. What is living in the United States in 2020 but a society of people trying to disregard what is painful until it comes, in favor of thinking about what is pleasant?”

(Vox)

“[A] complex plot, vivid characters, and profound insights into war and the nature of power.”

(Publishers Weekly)

“There remains the greatest of all novelists—for what else can we call the author of War and Peace?”

(Virginia Woolf, English author of modernist literaturer)

“If the world could write by itself, it would write like Tolstoy.”

(Isaak Babel, Russian author)

Glad I finally decided to read it

I downloaded a free study guide off the web and that helped me keep the characters straight in the beginning. The guide's critical analysis helped me enjoy the book even more. Be sure to let the first several hours wash over you. Just enjoy being swept along. Soon you'll remember who everyone is and be thoroughly engrossed. My dogs got extra long walks for a couple months! I was sorry it ended.

War and Peace. A classic.

What can you say about a classic like this! The narrator though...So hard to understand that it makes it hard to get through this. On a book notorious for being this long, it's almost a "crime" to have someone like this narrate it. For that reason alone I would NOT suggest you get this!

War and Peace

Frederick Davidson's very plummy British accent took me time to warm to, but once I did I felt a genuine appreciation for his narrative skill. He engages the listener with different and distinctive character voices but succeeds in never compromising the gravitas of the work. Don't hesitate to use a credit on this great novel, very well told.

I Just Cannot Make it Through

I am trying to get through this audiobook, but honestly, I am having trouble keeping track of all the characters and some of the narrator's voices are annoying.

Annoying

The narrator’s voice is thoroughly annoying. I downloaded another edition of the book and this time had the sense to listen to a sample before the purchase.