• War and Peace, Volume 1

  • By: Leo Tolstoy
  • Narrated by: Neville Jason
  • Length: 30 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,623 ratings)

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War and Peace, Volume 1  By  cover art

War and Peace, Volume 1

By: Leo Tolstoy
Narrated by: Neville Jason
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Publisher's summary

War and Peace is one of the greatest monuments in world literature. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, it examines the relationship between the individual and the relentless march of history. Here are the universal themes of love and hate, ambition and despair, youth and age, expressed with a swirling vitality which makes the book as accessible today as it was when it was first published in 1869.

In addition it is, famously, one of the longest books in Western literature and therefore a remarkable challenge for any reader. Neville Jason read the abridged version of War and Peace and proved his marathon powers with his outstanding performance of Proust's Remembrance of Things Past. These make him the ideal narrator to essay Tolstoy's epic.

War and Peace was translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude.

© and (P) Naxos Rights International

Critic reviews

"War and Peace presents us with a complete picture of human life; a complete picture of the Russia of those days; a complete historic picture of the struggle of nations; and a complete picture of the things in which men set their happiness and greatness, their sorrow and their shame." (A.V. Knowles, Tolstoy: The Critical Heritage)
"There remains the greatest of all novelists - for what else can we call the author of War and Peace?" (Virginia Woolf)

What listeners say about War and Peace, Volume 1

Average customer ratings
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Tolstoy is genius!

So far so good! Tolstoy has the ability to capture the smallest and yet most singular details of the human experience through what I think is, so far, one of the most epic of war-time sagas. This story sweeps across such various facets of life (war, language, family, love, etc.) and characters and ranks. Though long and involved, it has the potential to teach all of us about the way that we have been, the way that we are and what we might we might become.

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A masterpiece brilliantly read

Neville Jason's reading makes this classic come to life. His impersonation characters ike the old Prince Bolkonski is particularly memorable. I highly recommend this version.

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Superb performance!

There are other performances of this great story, but I don't think anyone could top Neville Jason as a reader. Absolutely terrific!

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b beautiful

what can be said that hasn't been said? I read this two years ago and enjoyed listening as much

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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent presentation

This was well done with character and plot delineated. Easy to listen to and enjoy. The reader was engaging while not overly treacle.

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great narrator.

the narrator is awesome. which is important given how long this book is. He Nails the voices and really brings the characters to life. made the book feel short.

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Phenomenal narration

Narrator is a virtuoso in bringing to life a timeless story with depth and emotion.

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The narrator Neville Jason is amazing

War and Peace was the first Leo Tolstoy book that i had the pleasure of listening to, and im glad to have discovered such amazing narration.

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great story

Many young female characters, might have been better with a woman reading. Still well performed

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one of the greatest stories ever told

I absolutely love this, and the narrator is amazing! I was skeptical about it being in 2 parts, but I have no regrets now. he puts all the feeling and emotion into the characters that no one else could ever. blow 2 credits on him, it's so worth it!

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