"[T]he most impressive thing about Tolstoy's magnum opus is that over three hundred and sixty-three chapters and well over half a million words he not only crafts a compelling story, but presents a view of life deeper and more vivid than many authors ever dream of." -From Samuel Dickison's Introduction It is Russia in 1805, and Napoleon is preparing to invade. Leo Tolstoy tells a masterful story that encompasses all of life—marriage, war, old age, birth, coming of age, and death. Tolstoy did not believe that history was caused by the actions of great men or by great forces, but by the innumerable actions of individuals. Here he chronicles the French invasion from the eyes of both the great man himself and of the many nameless whose lives were shaken by him. This Canon Classic, translated by Tolstoy's friends the Maudes, is a profoundly moving story about the joys and fragility of life, and earns its place in the top tier of world literature. The Canon Classics series presents the most definitive works of Western literature in a colorful, well-crafted, and affordable way. Unlike many other thrift editions, our classics feature individualized designs that prioritize readability by means of proper margins, leading, characters per line, font, trim size, etc. Each book’s materials and layout combine to make the classics a simple and striking addition to classrooms and homes, ideal for introducing the best of literary culture and human experience to the next generation.