The Tolstoy Library

In which the great commander, restless and resolute despite illness, contemplates the grave task that lies ahead with a blend of humour and a philosopher’s reflection on fate and the human condition. ...

28 Aug 7min

In which a curious count inadvertently finds himself amid a fierce battlefield, observing the soldiers and artillery with an innocent yet attentive gaze, gradually becoming part of their spirited, if ...

28 Aug 18min

In which the great Emperor, poised on the eve of battle, receives tidings and tokens of affection from afar, his thoughts mingling imperial grandeur with tender paternal reflections upon the portrait ...

27 Aug 10min

In which the designer of strategy considers the battlefield with measured silence, issuing commands as if from a place beyond the immediate fray, while the complexities of war’s unfolding refuse to yi...

27 Aug 8min

In which the nature of historical events and human agency is pondered through the lens of the Battle of Borodinó, questioning the common belief that Napoleon’s personal condition dictated the course o...

27 Aug 7min

In which a gathering of soldiers and noble friends share candid reflections on the nature of war, honour, and the stirring sense of duty that binds the Russian army on the eve of battle. Prince Andrew...

26 Aug 19min

In which Pierre accompanies Bennigsen across the battlefield of Borodinó, observing the positions and preparations of the troops with a mixture of curiosity and bewilderment, struggling to grasp the f...

26 Aug 4min

In which Prince Andrew contemplates the imminence of battle and the stark reality of death, viewing his former ideals and sorrows through a clear and chilling light that strips life of its illusions. ...

26 Aug 7min