War and Peace

By: Leo Tolstoy

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Length: 61 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once an epic of the Napoleonic wars, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit. Tolstoy's genius is clearly seen in the multitude of characters in this massive chronicle, all of them fully realized and equally memorable. Out of this complex narrative emerges a profound examination of the individual's place in the historical process, one that makes it clear why Thomas Mann praised Tolstoy for his Homeric powers and placed War and Peace in the same category as The Iliad.

War and Peace was translated by Constance Garnett.

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio

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.

Snotty Voice

Oof, the narrator’s voice is excruciating to hear. Great book, but I can’t listen to it by this narrator.

Great book

War and Peace audiobook described very well. Anyone can able to listen and enjoy this book

It is NOT boring!

Don't heed the stereotypes about this book. It is an intriguing, captivating story, with lots of commentary by Tolstoy on human nature and will. I listened to it all while driving, or working around the house, or mowing the lawn. It is such an easy convenient way to culture yourself, and enjoy a wonderful novel.

A literary experience you don’t want to miss!

What I think I loved most about War and Peace (besides Pierre of course) was the seamless way in which Tolstoy weaves his story between the microscopic study of Russian aristocratic society and the macroscopic sweep of the war Napoleon wages across Europe. I did wonder at first about Davidson’s narration but I very quickly warmed to his style and ended up loving it! The various sections this audio book is broken up into makes for very quick downloading and easy progress through the novel. After listening to this audio book which took me far less time than I had expected, I watched the latest BBC series and really felt that the series in many ways successfully captured the essence of the characters and their development. You really can’t go wrong in selecting this particular audible version of this magnificent Russian novel!

Epic

Epic tale of gigantic proportion describing people’s lives parallel to the war
Epilogue alone is worth reading/listening this book
Brilliant master piece

Amazing and Grueling

I've been alive for 38 years so far and I would never had thought that I would read "War and Peace." It feels like I've been reading this book for months and I can't remember what I read previously. I've always wanted to read War and Peace ever since my high school teacher explained to us the beehives metaphor. I thought it would be a good way to enjoy the rest of the summer to spend two weeks with this novel.

It is amazing and grueling all at the same time. There was a point where I just hit the wall and couldn't read anymore and needed to go outside and play, but the craft of writing is so good that I wanted to finish it.

I concur, that this is one of the finest literature works that has been written. It is something that you should try to tackle in your lifetime. Either you are listening or reading the text, it is something that you need to pick up, if you enjoy reading.

There are many of us that accomplish this task and appreciate Leo Tolstoy's drama.

I'm not too sure that I will read War and Peace again, but I'm really glad that I read the beginning to end.