Amazing translation that does justice to Tolstoy - Rated 
I've read several versions of W & P, and this is by far the best translation I've read. Tolstoy's wit, compassion, and, above all, wisdom are rendered so perfectly that at times I was moved to tears.
By the way, Tolstoy should be compulsory reading for all those who presume to lead us into fruitless wars. His argument on why guerilla fighters will always win against large, invading armies is particularly compelling and timely.
Magnificent Achievement - Rated
"Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the
Buonapartes. But I warn you, if you don't tell me that this means war,
if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by
that Antichrist--I really believe he is Antichrist--I will have
nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer
my 'faithful slave,' as you call yourself! But how do you do? I see
I have frightened you--sit down and tell me all the news."
- Anna Pavlovna in War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
It was 1805 and the novel opens up at a reception given by Anna. With these words she greeted Prince Vasili Kuragin who we learn in the novel is a personage of stature and importance among the St. Petersburg elite.
Anna is referring to Napoleon as the antichrist, she feels that he is routing Europe; and that the king of Russia, Alexander I, must save them all against this terrible and dreadful man.
And so begins one of the most famous masterpieces of all time.
WAR AND PEACE has a simple plot which encompasses the valiant attempts by the Russian people to hold off a military invasion by Napoleon Bonaparte and the French. Some of the segments of the novel deal with war strategy which could have benefited leaders if they simply perhaps had read Tolstoy.
As the story begins we find that the Russians have formed an unlikely alliance with the Austrians. Because of this alliance, we find the small and inadequate Russian army having to march from Moscow to Austria. That in of itself is daunting.
This alliance falters at best and as a consequence the Russian army loses almost all of its army resulting oddly enough in several years of peace. The Russian aristocracy does not have to make any sacrifices at first and their lives continue just as before. Thus the meaning of the title, WAR AND PEACE.
However, after 1810, another five years later, we find Napoleon becoming more successful in Europe and worries arise that he will plan next to invade the Russian homeland. In June of 1812, he does precisely that which the Russian people and the army feared most: he crossed the frontiers into Russia and the real war began.
As Tolstoy described, "an event took place that was contrary to all human reason and human nature."
We meet the Bolkonski's (the elder Prince, the younger Prince Andrei, his sister Princess Marya, Andrei's pregnant wife Lize), the Rostov's (the Count and Countess, Vera, Nicholai, Natasha, Sonya and Petya), the Bezukhov's (the dying Count, his illegitimate son Pierre and various relations to the dying man), the Kuragin's (Prince Vasili and his wife, the beautiful Helene, Anatole, and Hippolyte), Denisov, Dolohov, Boris, Kutuzov (the general) and about 600 characters in the book. The primary ones are the ones that I have named.
Prince Andrei and Count Pierre Bezukhov (very important Tolstoy characters) are opposites in every way; yet are friends and their friendship, separate lives and families play a critical role in Tolstoy's novel. The Bolkonski's and the Rostov's lives weave and bind together as one goes further into the novel and these threads of their lives become a strong and durable fabric which will support these families as they progress through their respective years together. Though each of us, as do these characters, exercises free will; the decisions that we make (even years before certain life's events) depict the relationships that all of our decisions have upon each other and the impact they have on our future happiness or prosperity. Tolstoy even takes a detour at the end of the novel and digresses "much more than he should" about this and that...and how power is bestowed and basically how we reap what we sow (a familiar Tolstoy theme not always related to agriculture).
The novel is quite long, and that is the reason I found that I picked up this book in the past and then put it down (not completely grasping the naming structures and not having time I felt to give it my full attention). However, after having finally taken the time to read this great manuscript, it really is a simple story about life, love (true or not), loyalty, friendship, responsibility (real accountability or feigned) and leadership. It is also once again a story of families and their love for each other and how they are able to show their love for one another or how the love is still present; but remains emotionally hidden or ineffectual. And it is a story of how one must understand the true meaning of life and must be content in one's own skin; before love can truly blossom and be realized.
Truthfully, the plot does revolve around the aspects of war and peace as it relates to Napoleon invading Russia; but it also shows a country growing and changing as the characters do in the novel. Each one of the families goes through its own reflective period of war and peace in their own lives as well. The story line is superb...if you like historical fiction; and the characterizations and their development are unparalleled.
Some Helpful Suggestions:
1. Take the time to read and/or listen to an unabridged version of this masterpiece (like the one done by Neville Jason). Just start out slowly and read a few chapters every day if you are limited in time. It is one of those novels that can be reread and not only do you enjoy the story line each time; you also come away from it learning a lot about life itself and you can profit from this reflection while embarking on your own personal path. Some of the events may ring true with your own life or with your own family. Even though the country and/or time period may be different; life, heart felt emotion remain quite the same.
2. Secure a translation that you like and/or a reader you can stay with. Go to your local bookstore and/or sample a chapter on line to see if you like the language used; do you like a more traditional translation much like Tolstoy's own language or would you prefer more modern jargon and interpretations. I prefer the traditional; but that is not always what works for everyone. If you want to listen to the book, make sure to listen to samples of the reader's voice to make sure that their voice is palatable to your tastes. Everyone's taste in sound is different.
3. Join a book club or an on line discussion group to keep you going and/or read or listen to the book with a friend or family member. These discussions will add to the enjoyment of reading this masterpiece. It really is meant (I feel) to be shared.
4. Get used to the Russian naming conventions and their use of nicknames. Write them down as you come across them and then you will know which characters to associate with which nicknames the next time. Nicknames are common with us today as well. If a girl's name is Jennifer, some may call her Jennifer, Jen, Jenny or if her middle name is Patricia (JP for short) and different members of the family could call her different pet names. This Russian novel is no different than real life.
5. I gave the following assistance when I reviewed Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and the characters and names in War and Peace follow the same rules regarding patronymics and names with three parts. Here is a reprint of the suggestion: "Sometimes the names of the characters themselves can be confusing: so a hint to the reader might be to think of each Russian character's name as having THREE PARTS: the FIRST part is the first name (examples here are for Levin and Kitty) like Konstantin or Ekaterina, the SECOND part is a patronymic which is the father's first name accompanied by a suffix which means son of or daughter of like Dmitrich (son of Dmitri) or Alexandrovna (daughter of Alexander) and then the THIRD part which is the surname like Levin or Shcherbatskaya. Thus the explanations of the three part names for Ekaterina Alexandrovna Shcherbatskaya (nicknamed Kitty) and for Konstantin Dmitrich Levin (Levin).
War and Peace is not a novel to be missed; very much like Anna Karenina (both by Leo Tolstoy). With both, but especially with War and Peace, you must envision that you will finish the book and keep at it. It really is not hard; you will get to know the characters in the book as if they were family members or best friends with all of their strengths and their frailties - the spectrum that makes these characters real in their humanness.
Rating: 5 stars - A+ (Very highly recommended)
Bentley/2007
Vibrant new translation of one of the greatest novels ever written - Rated
War & Peace hardly needs further endorsement. Though it's a long book, you won't regret reading it and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised by the amount of soap opera-like drama throughout. W&P really does have everything - romance, vivid battle scenes, philosophical rumination on the workings of history. And unforgettable characters and scenes. This vibrant new translation by Anthony Briggs, the first in nearly 50 years, is faithful to the original while feeling a lot fresher and more modern than previous versions. In particular, Briggs has a fine feel for the language of the peasants and soldiers who people the book. Put aside a couple weeks or take it to the beach this summer - you won't be disappointed.
Honestly, the Greatest Novel Of All Time - Rated
I'm 16 years old and have just finished War and Peace. Funnily enough I didn't actually buy the novel to bask in the glow of pretension that such an achievement could have me in. I was curious. Will it be tedious as it's so long? The answer is a certain no.
I Loved this book so much since the moment I started reading in the Summer (yes that long ago) to finishing now in January, that I feel like re-reading it. I can't see the point in reading any other novel as they will only be inferior to this masterpiece.
The characters are the main reason I loved War and Peace so much.
Pierre Bezukhov a man searching for a meaning to his life. It's through him Tolstoy explores the depths of the human soul most vividly.
The Bolkolnsky's with the timid, plain-looking Princess Marya who has a pure and zealous heart. Then there's the loving father who is unable to show his true emotions. And possibly my favourite character Prince Andrey who could be said as the opposite to Pierres' abstract, and absent-minded nature. But who I felt the most affinity with through his struggle to find any self-esteem or truth. (I will not spoil the storyline, but the ending with him is the most beautiful scene I have ever read).
The Rostovs who are the family studied in most detail. There's the loving parents who are have infinite pride in their sons but especially their daughter Natasha Rostov. Her impulsive nature is both frustrating and adorable, a real flawed heroine. Another character who I have noticed not one person mention so far is Sonya. She is a cousin to the family who is incredibly hard-working and suffers alot but never complains, Tolstoy makes her the perfect woman. But as such she never is really accepeted by anyone. Nikolay is possibly the fourth main character (after Pierre, Andrey and Natasha), and he's likeable, but ill-tempered.
The minor characters like the vile, false Kuragins, Denisov the humourus general with a lisp, Dolokhov the classic rogue and the superficial Drubetskoys are excellently portrayed.
The Peace parts seem to be everyones' favourite parts of the novel, and I have to agree. They are utterly spell-binding. If you're incredibly angry or depressed, there's nothing like it to mysteriously calm and comfort the soul. Nevertheless the War parts are described in such detail they really DO put you in the place of the characters involved.
There are scenes in this novel which I will never forget. So beautifully depicted, by the master of all authors. The horror of warfare and life itself is shown here also, as it's such a fantastic panorama of the characters it doesn't shy away from the darker sides to life.
My only qualm with War and Peace is the epilogue. I am not a fan of them in the first place but here it seems altogether rather tedious and Part 1 is far too straightforward for a Tolstoy Part.
BUT
READ WAR AND PEACE. EXPERIENCE INCREDIBLE VITALITY. DO NOT LET THE SIZE PUT YOU OFF. IT FLIES BY, AS IT IS -
THE GREATEST NOVEL OF ALL TIME.
New translation breathes life - Rated
This translation has the power to take you back into the days of Napoleon and Alexander, into the social whirl of Russian aristocracy in all its glitter, into the mud and terror of the warfare, depths of self examination and it even manages to breathe a coherent readability to Tolstoy's philosophy of history. Tony Briggs has the gift of making language dance to the original tune and excels himself in this version. The only thing that felt odd, was reading Tolstoy in English without having to allow for translator's anachronisms ... no tea with little plums here! If you have never tried this book before then this is the time to take the plunge. Thank you Tony !
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