Book Review: Leo Tolstoy – War and Peace (Volumes 3 and 4)
Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace is one of those books you grow to love more as you read, developing a deep admiration for the author. In a previous post, I covered the first two volumes of this epic novel, offering a detailed review of the plot, main characters, and a brief summary. In this post, we’ll dive into the 3rd and 4th volumes of this monumental work.
War and Peace Book Review
War and Peace is one of those must-read classics. Despite seeing it on various reading lists, I hesitated to pick it up, primarily due to its intimidating length and the reputation of classics as difficult reads. But as I neared the end of its approximately 1,600 pages, I found myself wishing for more. It’s one of those rare novels that leave you wanting to stay in its world for just a little longer.
Before diving deeper into the analysis, it's essential to note that Tolstoy wrote War and Peace as four volumes. While some modern editions consolidate them into a single book, others group them into two volumes. In this post, I will focus on the latter half—Volumes 3 and 4.
In the first half of War and Peace, there was little actual warfare. Instead, the focus was primarily on Russian society, the noble class, and the military's condition. We also got to know the characters and their families more intimately. However, the second half of the novel, specifically volumes 3 and 4, revolves almost entirely around war. Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, his occupation of Moscow, and Russia’s struggles against the French are the central themes.
First part: Book Review: Leo Tolstoy – War and Peace (Volumes 1 and 2)
The Plot of Volumes 3 and 4 of War and Peace
The second book of War and Peace (Volume 3) begins with Napoleon breaking the peace between France and Russia and launching his military campaign. After the war of 1807, there had been a brief period of peace between the two nations. However, Napoleon used a series of excuses to justify his invasion, attacking Russia with a massive army of 600,000 troops.
At the outset of the war, the Russian military was in disarray. The army and the government were divided over how the war should be conducted. Tolstoy vividly describes the competing factions within the Russian military. He particularly criticizes one group, which he claims comprised 99% of the army—people more interested in personal gain than in their country’s well-being. According to Tolstoy, these soldiers and commanders were primarily focused on how they could profit from the war and advance their careers. Their selfishness, Tolstoy implies, is part of the reason Napoleon advanced as far as Moscow.
Tolstoy describes this group as follows:
“The eighth and largest group, vast in size, outnumbering the others ninety-nine to one, consisted of people who didn’t want peace or war, offensive action or defensive camps at Drissa or anywhere else,... all they wanted, the only thing that mattered to them, was making as much money as they could and enjoying themselves. The troubled waters of intrigue that swirled round the Tsar’s headquarters offered many possibilities for success that would have been inconceivable at any other time. One courtier in a lucrative post and not wanting to lose it would find himself in agreement with Pfuel today and his opponents tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow he would disclaim any views on the same question, in order to avoid responsibility and please the Emperor. Another, with an eye to the main chance, would seek the Tsar’s attention by bellowing out something his Majesty had hinted at the previous day, or taking people on at the council, arguing vociferously, beating his breast and challenging anyone who disagreed to a duel as a demonstration of his readiness for self-sacrifice in the common good.
All the men in this party were out for roubles, honours and promotion, and to help them in the chase they simply followed royal favour like a weather-vane; if the vane swung one way all the drones of the Russian army swarmed off in that direction, which made it more difficult for the Tsar to swing back. In all the current uncertainty, with the threat of serious danger hanging over them and the resulting sense of dire alarm, in this maelstrom of intrigue, vanity, competition, conflicting emotions and opinions, involving people from so many different nationalities, this eighth and largest party, obsessed with self-interest, served only to compound the sense of disorder and confusion.”
Given this selfishness and corruption, Russia faced severe difficulties during the early stages of the war. As a result, Emperor Alexander had to turn to the nobles and merchants for assistance. Although the Russian army wasn’t smaller than the French army, its organization and preparation were sorely lacking, leading to constant retreats and the eventual occupation of Moscow.
Initially eager to fight Napoleon head-on, Emperor Alexander soon realized his actions were harming the military and the country. Making excuses, he returned to the capital, visited Moscow briefly, and thereafter distanced himself from the war, focusing instead on supporting the military from afar. When the army’s situation grew dire, Alexander reluctantly appointed General Kutuzov as the Commander-in-Chief.
Tolstoy’s Portrayal of Kutuzov
Tolstoy’s depiction of Kutuzov is fascinating. The elderly and overweight commander didn’t so much lead the army as he directed events in such a way as to minimize losses. Kutuzov made sure to get his sleep, continued reading French novels, and managed to save Russia from an even greater catastrophe by constantly retreating. Many accused him of handing Moscow to the French without a fight, but Kutuzov had a clear perspective: either he would lose both the army and Moscow, or he would lose just Moscow and preserve the army.
In the end, Kutuzov’s strategy worked. The French took Moscow, but their army soon crumbled, and Kutuzov pursued them as they retreated.
The Battle of Borodino and Napoleon’s Occupation of Moscow
The Battle of Borodino marked a turning point in Napoleon’s Russian campaign. Despite throwing the full might of their forces at the Russians, the French army couldn’t break through the Russian lines. As a result, Kutuzov declared victory and ordered a counter-attack. However, seeing the heavy losses on both sides, he continued the retreat until Moscow was handed over to the French without further battle.
“The French were a ragged lot, hungry and exhausted, and their numbers were down by two-thirds, but their soldiers entered Moscow in good order. It was a harassed and exhausted army, though still ready for action and a real threat. But it remained an army only up to the point when its soldiers scattered themselves all over the town. Once the soldiers began to find their various ways into wealthy, deserted houses, the army had gone for ever, to be replaced by men who were neither citizens nor soldiers, but in-between creatures of the type known as looters. Five weeks later these same men would set out from Moscow, and by then they had ceased to be an army. They were a mob of looters, all of them carrying or wheeling piles of things they considered valuable or useful. The aim of these departing men was not what it had been before, to acquit themselves well in battle, but simply to keep all the loot they had managed to get their hands on.”
Although Napoleon’s army seized Moscow, the Russian winter and the scorched-earth tactics took their toll. Soon after occupying the city, the French were forced to flee, harried by Russian forces. Napoleon’s once-great army degenerated into a band of looters.
Impact on the Characters
As the novel shifts its focus to war, many of Tolstoy’s key characters either join the conflict or are deeply affected by it. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, for example, serves as a commander, and Nikolai Rostov fights as an officer throughout the campaign. Pierre Bezukhov doesn’t officially join the military, but he witnesses the Battle of Borodino up close and stays in Moscow during the French occupation. Even Princess Marya Bolkonskaya and the Rostov family are forced to flee their homes as the French advance.
Why Napoleon’s Army Failed in Russia
Despite launching his invasion with a large and well-prepared army, Napoleon’s campaign fell apart after taking Moscow. Tolstoy explains that a combination of factors led to this outcome:
“We write now with a clear view of what caused the rout of the French army in 1812. It is beyond argument: two things caused the rout of Napoleon’s French forces – on the one hand, they were badly prepared for a winter campaign in the Russian heartland, and they set out too late; on the other hand, the war took on a special character after the burning of Russian towns and the build-up of Russian hatred for the enemy. But at the time no one foresaw what now seems obvious: this was the only way the best army in the world, eight hundred thousand strong and led by the best general, could have lost to a Russian army wet behind the ears, half as strong and led by inexperienced generals. Not only was this entirely unforeseen, but on the Russian side every last effort was made to prevent the only thing that could have saved Russia, and on the French side, despite Napoleon’s depth of experience and supposed military genius, every effort was made to push on to Moscow in late summer, the one thing that would guarantee disaster.”
The French army suffered enormous losses during their retreat, with Russian forces chasing them down and inflicting further damage. By the time they left Moscow, Napoleon’s once-great army was little more than a ragtag group of survivors.
“According to the laws of tactics, in 1812 the retreating French ought to have defended themselves by splitting up, but no, they huddled together in a crowd because their morale had sunk so low it was only their numbers that kept them going. Conversely, according to the laws of tactics the Russians ought to have attacked en masse, but they didn’t, they broke down into small groups because their morale was so high that individual men could be relied on to attack the French without waiting for orders, and nobody needed to be forced into hardship and danger.”
Memorable Quote on Death from War and Peace
"When the body lay washed and dressed in the coffin on the table, everybody came in to take leave of him, and everybody wept. Little Nikolay wept from agonizing, heart-breaking bewilderment. The countess and Sonya wept because they were sorry for Natasha, and because he had gone from them. The old count wept because he could see himself taking the same terrible step before much longer. Natasha and Princess Marya now also gave way to tears, but not from personal sorrow. They wept with a melting sensation of reverence gripping their very souls as they contemplated the simple and solemn mystery of death that had been accomplished before their eyes.”
In this poignant moment, Tolstoy captures the raw, universal emotion of mourning, a scene that stands out as one of the many powerful reflections on life, death, and human nature in War and Peace.
Tolstoy's War and Peace is an epic exploration of war, society, and the human condition. With its complex characters, philosophical depth, and vivid portrayal of one of history’s most dramatic moments, it remains one of the greatest novels ever written.
- Original title: "Война и миръ" (In modern Russian, it's "Война и мир").
- Written: 1863-1869, with revisions in 1873.
- First published: Serially from 1865-1867; the complete version was published in 1869.
- Volumes: 4 volumes + an epilogue.
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