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Audiobooks > Fiction >  Classics > War and Peace
War and Peace Audiobook, by Leo Tolstoy Play Audiobook Sample

Download War and Peace Audiobook

4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00) - 77,338 customer ratings
War and Peace Audiobook, by Leo Tolstoy Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Leo Tolstoy Narrator: Frederick Davidson Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Audio Length: Release Date: January 2006 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781483088464
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Publisher Description

Often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace is at once a historical war epic, a philosophical study, and a celebration of the Russian spirit. Noted for its mastery of realistic detail and psychological analysis, it follows the metamorphosis of five aristocratic families against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. Individual stories interweave as each of Tolstoy’s memorable characters seek fulfillment, fall in love, make mistakes, and become scarred by war in different ways. Out of this complex narrative emerges a profound examination of the individual’s place in the historical process.

Thomas Mann praised Tolstoy for his Homeric powers: “To be played upon by the animal keenness of this eye, the sheer power of this creative attack, the entirely clear and true greatness…of this epic, is to find one’s way home…to everything within us that is fundamental and sane.”

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Quotes

  • “There remains the greatest of all novelists—for what else can we call the author of War and Peace?”

    - Virginia Woolf

  • “If the world could write by itself, it would write like Tolstoy.”

    - Isaak Babel, Russian author

  • “[A] complex plot, vivid characters, and profound insights into war and the nature of power.”

    - Publishers Weekly

  • “There will not be a better recording of Tolstoy’s masterpiece for some time…the genius of this book is everlasting. The impressive dialog sparkles with humor and wit, and the vivid scenes of battle are riveting…Davidson’s exquisite narration heightens the perfection of this novel, regarded as one of the greatest in literature.”

    - Library Journal

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I felt aged after I was done this. Like a good cheddar. "

    - Barbwire, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What to say that hasn't already been said? Sublime. "

    - Ann, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I've finally finished it! It's taken me around two months, but I think it was worth it in the end, if only to be able to say that I've actually read it. War and Peace seems to be the most truly epic book ever written, so it wasn't an easy read. Tolstoy's prose is brilliant and I loved the actual story parts of the different classes, but the history parts that he weaves in and out throughout are really tough going. I need to brush up on my russian history now! "

    - Evelyn, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I thought this crusty old behemoth couldn't possibly be up to 140 years of hype but it was and remains the best book I've ever read. I read it as fast as I read Da Vinci Code and I didn't have to feel ashamed afterward. I skipped the last philisophical debate on historical writing. I think it should have been cut, personally, but you can't argue with the Russians. "

    - Carrie, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " There are many reviews on this novel. It is still a very good read. Find a copy at the library and enjoy it. "

    - Keith, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Just as good as everyone says, but make sure you have a lot of time to dedicate to it. "

    - Maverick, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is one of my favorite books of all time, by my favorite author of all time. I recommend starting it when you have a lot of time to read. It's not something you want can spend 20 minutes a day on and enjoy, because there are a lot of characters and it can get confusing. Tolstoy goes on some long historical tangents, which I loved, but many don't. I say if you need to skim those parts to make it through, do so without shame. "

    - Tommy, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book. It really takes some time to get through. Tolstoy really makes you think about how one person is insignificant to the ebb and flow of history. I really enjoyed the characters too. It isn't considered one of the greatest novels of all time for nothing. "

    - Robert, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I've been reading this book for over a year. According to my Kindle I am at 60% finished. The characters are interesting, but the details and multitude of story lines are complex to follow. I will finish it this summer! "

    - Diane, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book was amazing. However, I feel that the ending was a bit lacking. I feel he brought new things to the story in the first epilogue, that were left without a conclusion. Then he rambled repetitively in the second epilogue. It was a beautifully written work, and I loved it. "

    - Samantha, 10/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Couldn't even get past chapter four! Hated it! "

    - Kendra, 9/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I was immersed in another world and could not or would not try and find the exit. Tolstoy's novel captured a time and society and helped me to understand the perspective and culture of upper class Russia in the late 1800's. "

    - Lindsey, 6/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " So readable and such an amazing book - epic! "

    - Andrew, 2/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " A literary masterpiece that for some of us is just plain boring to read. "

    - Andrew, 1/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Read this while pregnant with child number 4 and it was an excellent book. "

    - Melissa, 9/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Still savoring every page of this unbelievably interesting novel. I began this on May 1 and now at 46% on my Amazon Kindle. Pretty good progress, if I do say so myself. :-) "

    - Cherrie, 8/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I read this one when I was in high school. Don't remember much about it, except that it's about Russia. "

    - Beverly, 6/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It is not a question of this book being worthy enough for you, it is the question are you worthy enough for this book. "

    - Johannes, 1/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Now this is a very long, epic and ambitious book, and I love big and monumental books! I didn't give it five stars, because it did have its lenghts, but other than that it was very interesting, captivating and informative. Especially the war scenes were exciting. "

    - Anna-Kathrin, 11/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Very long but the story is good. Putting persons into the surrounding actions of Napoleon and Russia works well. I learned a little about the that time period in Europe. Tolstoy's explanation of historical theory, which is mostly what the long epilogue includes, gets tiresome. "

    - Murphious, 7/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " When Tolstoy tells his character's stories, this book fairly sings. When he lectures on military tactics it's a snooze fest. "

    - Harry, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I actually read the Dunnigan translation. A great book. "

    - Mike, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Read the Garnett translation. It's less Anglicized. There is an even better revision of GarnettThe three volume format of the Everyman's edition is easier to hold in bed or anywhere. "

    - Scott, 5/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The old Signet Classic, 1968 first printing that I read was not listed in goood Reads Was Translated by Ann Dunnigan with an Introduction by John Bayley I agree, War and Peace is the greatest novel ever written. "

    - Boni, 5/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Loved the societal, political, cultural aspects. Extended descriptions of cannons bored me. "

    - Ctb, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Epic story. Hard work at first but you grow to know the characters. "

    - Pete, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " The best novel ever written. I read War and Peace regularly, and I've read several different translations. This is the best. Drops dripped. "

    - Cjl, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The peace I love, war made me quit the book 3/4 of the way through. "

    - Alla, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " this book was recommended by one of my friends... i have been reading it for the past 3 years and i am only through half. to say its a slow read is understating the situation. its my goal to finish it this year. "

    - Jennifer, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I found Pierre Bezukhov irritating and unlikeable. The character I identified with was Prince Andrei. Of course we all know what happens in the end. "

    - JP, 5/5/2011

About the Author

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was born about two hundred miles from Moscow. His mother died when he was two, his father when he was nine. His parents were of noble birth, and Tolstoy remained acutely aware of his aristocratic roots, even when he later embraced doctrines of equality and the brotherhood of man. After serving in the army in the Caucasus and Crimea, where he wrote his first stories, he traveled and studied educational theories. In 1862 he married Sophia Behrs and for the next fifteen years lived a tranquil, productive life, finishing War and Peace in 1869 and Anna Karenina in 1877. In 1879 he underwent a spiritual crisis; he sought to propagate his beliefs on faith, morality, and nonviolence, writing mostly parables, tracts, and morality plays. Tolstoy died of pneumonia in 1910 at the age of eighty-two.

About the Narrator

Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.