War and Peace

War and Peace--------------------------------------------------Considered by many to the greatest novel ever written, Tolstoy's masterpieceis a story of family life set against the backdrop of war. The novelbegins in 1805, in the crowded and gossip-filled rooms of a St Petersburgparty, and follows the fortunes of the aristocratic Bolkonsky and Rostovfamilies as Napoleon's armies sweep through Europe, culminating inthe French invasion of Russia in 1812 and Napoleon's defeat. Tolstoy'svast novel takes in both the epic sweep of national events and theprivate experience of individuals, from the keen young soldier to Napoleonhimself, and at the heart of it all, the complicated triangle of affectionthat binds his central characters.--------------------------------------------------Author Biography: Professor Tony Briggs is former Professor of Russianat the University of Birmingham, and has translated widely from theRussian, especially Pushkin, is the author of several critical bookson Russian literature.