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

Worth every minute

I had always avoided reading War and Peace by listening to others warning me about its length and the Russian genealogies and names.

After listening to this recording I am going to buy a print copy and pour over Tolstoy's analogies, reasoning, and philosophies about the human condition.

I suspect War and Peace is studied in military schools.

I recommend listening, reading, and annotation of this masterful book.

The narration is easy to listen to and very well done.

Good book but it wasn’t great

I really wanted to agree with most of the world that War and Peace is the best book ever written, but I can’t. It was good for sure but I have read many other classics that are much more interesting and entertaining (Count of Monte Cristo, Gone with the Wind, Great Expectations to name a few). Tolstoy definitely has a gift for words and detail that brought to life the innermost thoughts and mannerisms of the characters. I really felt like I could picture their expression and experience their emotion. But the story was often lacking in interest. I was only gripped to the core a handful of times which isn’t a lot for 60 hours! I thought the narrator did a wonderful job. The voices were varied enough to know who they were. I think he really captured Pierre the best. I would still recommend everyone to read/listen to this book, I just can’t say it’s the best of all time.

Simply brilliant

Absolutely loved this book, both the psychological aspects of the love stories and the military history contained in the battle stories. I decided to tackle this one after finishing a biography of Napoleon, which turned out to be a great choice. When you know the events that this book is based on, it's even better.

incredibly moving

it is worth the 60 hours that it takes to listen to it it's amazing to think that this was written so long ago about events even longer still. I would recommend this book to all

Well worth the 60 hour investment.

The reader was amazing in his ability to repeat so many different voices. Tolstoy has amazing descriptive ability and treasured insights into human perception and action.

Perfect for a long, cold winter!

Finished by Spring, and checked off my retirement reading list. On to my next achievement!

Great on Military Long on soap opera Love storey

If you could cut out 8o% of the character's varies love story, just build thier characters, & listen to the milatary history part it would be great

A very very long book

This book is very long. I usually enjoy a good long book, but this one wasn't long in any good way. It was simply very long. It took me a couple of months to get through it. Bits and pieces are brilliant, but not everything and there was simply too much of it.

The narrator is great. The sample made me hesitate, but after a couple of minutes I got used to him and after a while couldn't imagine the book with any other narrator.

One of a kind

The narrator was excellent: great elocution, good French, was able to support the voices of so many characters. The story itself is a classic and for good reason.

An Epic Tale

Would you listen to War and Peace again? Why?

I would. This time, I would start with a list of featured characters and take important notes as I listened.

What did you like best about this story?

What I liked bast was the authors ability to keep me engaged throughout the entire saga.

Have you listened to any of Frederick Davidson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Any additional comments?

This book is the calculous of war. It is war broken down into it's most minute slices and described in detail.

Although some of the characters seem so naive by todays standards, when taken in the proper context they spring to life.

It's epic. It's incredible.