Best Selling Books by Leo Tolstoy

The must-have Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of one of the greatest Russian novels ever written Described by William Faulkner as the best novel ever written and by Fyodor Dostoevsky as “flawless,” Anna Karenina tells of the doomed love affair between the sensuous and rebellious Anna and the dashing officer, Count Vronsky. Tragedy unfolds as Anna rejects her passionless marriage and thereby exposes herself to the hypocrisies of society. Set against a vast and richly textured canvas of nineteenth-century Russia, the novel''s seven major characters create a dynamic imbalance, playing out the contrasts of city and country life and all the variations on love and family happiness. While previous versions have softened the robust and sometimes shocking qualities of Tolstoy''s writing, Pevear and Volokhonsky have produced a translation true to his powerful voice. This authoritative edition, which received the PEN Translation Prize and was an Oprah Book Club™ selection, also includes an illuminating introduction and explanatory notes. Beautiful, vigorous, and eminently readable, this Anna Karenina will be the definitive text for fans of the film and generations to come. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition also features French flaps and deckle-edged paper. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

"Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes. But I warn you, if you don''t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ''faithful slave,'' as you call yourself! But how do you do? I see I have frightened you—sit down and tell me all the news." It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pavlovna Scherer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Marya Fedorovna. With these words she greeted Prince Vasili Kuragin, a man of high rank and importance, who was the first to arrive at her reception. Anna Pavlovna had had a cough for some days. She was, as she said, suffering from la grippe; grippe being then a new word in St. Petersburg, used only by the elite.

This masterful novel is a religious fable of sorts, written by the gifted Russian author Leo Tolstoy as a means of shedding light on the hypocrisy inherent in many aspects of organized religion in the nineteenth century. The book follows the plight of Russian aristocrat Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhlyudov as he seeks absolution -- both in the church and in his own psyche -- for a sin he committed years earlier.

Leo Tolstoy, author of such masterpieces of fiction as War and Peace and Anna Karenina, also wrote extensively about his own life experiences. In this series of essays, Tolstoy presents a creatively re-imagined version of his earliest recollections and influences.

Leo Tolstoy''s "War and Peace" is an epic novel that intricately weaves the lives of its characters against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. Set in early 19th century Russia, the narrative merges historical events with personal sagas, exploring themes of fate, free will, and the nature of power. Tolstoy''s literary style is characterized by a profound philosophical depth, intricately layered character development, and vivid descriptions of both grand battles and intimate moments, making the novel both a historical chronicle and an intimate exploration of human experience. Tolstoy, a member of the Russian aristocracy, experienced the turmoil of his times firsthand, which deeply informed his writing. His transformation from a privileged landowner to a serious thinker and social reformer is reflected in "War and Peace," where he grapples with moral dilemmas and the harsh realities of life. His own struggles with faith, love, and existential meaning resonate throughout the narrative, revealing a profound humanism that transcends time. "War and Peace" is not merely a historical novel; it is a timeless exploration of humanity itself. Readers seeking a rich tapestry of life''s triumphs and tragedies, interwoven with deep philosophical insights, will find Tolstoy''s masterpiece an indispensable addition to their literary journey.

The Death of Ivan Ilych Leo Tolstoy Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude Russian Classics The Death of Ivan Ilyich, first published in 1886, is a novella by Leo Tolstoy, considered one of the masterpieces of his late fiction, written shortly after his religious conversion of the late 1870s. "Usually classed among the best examples of the novella", The Death of Ivan Ilyich tells the story of a high-court judge, and his sufferings and death from a terminal illness in 19th-century Russia.

No library''s complete without the classics! In early nineteenth-century Russia, the threat of Napoleon''s invasion looms, and the lives of millions are about to be changed forever. This includes Pierre Bezúkhov, illegitimate son of an aristocrat; Andrew Bolkónski, ambitious military scion; and Natásha Rostóva, compassionate daughter of a nobleman. All of them are unprepared for what lies ahead. Alongside their fellow compatriots - a catalog of enduring literary characters - Pierre, Andrew, and Natásha will be irrevocably torn between fate and free will. Complete Original Unabridged Illustrated with book-end doodles about reading

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WE were in mourning for our mother, who had died the preceding autumn, and we had spent all the winter alone in the country-Macha, Sonia and I. Macha was an old family friend, who had been our governess and had brought us all up, and my memories of her, like my love for her, went as far back as my memories of myself. Sonia was my younger sister. The winter had dragged by, sad and sombre, in our old country-house of Pokrovski. The weather had been cold, and so windy that the snow was often piled high above our windows; the panes were almost always cloudy with a coating of ice; and throughout the whole season we were shut in, rarely finding it possible to go out of the house. It was very seldom that any one came to see us, and our few visitors brought neither joy nor cheerfulness to our house. They all had mournful faces, spoke low, as if they were afraid of waking some one, were careful not to laugh, sighed and often shed tears when they looked at me, and above all at the sight of my poor Sonia in her little black frock.

Resurrection (1899) tells the story of a nobleman''s attempt to redeem the suffering his youthful philandering inflicted on a peasant girl who ends up a prisoner in Siberia. Tolstoy''s vision of redemption achieved through loving forgiveness, and his condemnation of violence, dominate the novel. An intimate, psychological tale of guilt, anger and forgiveness, Resurrection is at the same time a panoramic description of social life in Russia at the end of the nineteenth century, reflecting its author''s outrage at the social injustices of the world in which he lived.

A short novel by famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, ''The Cossacks'' was first published in parts in a literary magazine The Russian Messenger. The novel is believed to be written by the uathor to pay his debts after having lost badly in cards.

Resurrection is the last of Tolstoy''s major novels. It tells the story of a nobleman''s attempt to redeem the suffering his youthful philandering inflicted on a peasant girl who ends up a prisoner in Siberia. Tolstoy''s vision of redemption, achieved through loving forgiveness and his condemnation of violence, dominate the novel. An intimate, psychological tale of guilt, anger, and forgiveness, Resurrection is at the same time a panoramic description of social life in Russia at the end of the nineteenth century, reflecting its author''s outrage at the social injustices of the world in which he lived.Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer widely regarded as one of the greatest novelists of all time. His masterpieces, War and Peace and Anna Karenina, represent in the breadth and vivid depiction of 19th-century Russian life and attitudes - the peak of realist fiction. Tolstoy''s further talents as an essayist, dramatist, and educational reformer have made him the most influential member of the aristocratic Tolstoy family. His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centring on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.

This poignant text describes Tolstoy''s heartfelt reexamination of Christian orthodoxy and subsequent spiritual awakening. Generations of readers have been inspired by this timeless account of one man''s struggle for faith and meaning in life.

War and Peace Volume 3: Special Edition By Leo Tolstoy The most famous-and perhaps greatest-novel of all time, Tolstoy''s War and Peace tells the story of five families struggling for survival during Napoleon''s invasion of Russia.Among its many unforgettable characters is Prince Andrey Bolkonsky, a proud, dashing man who, despising the artifice of high society, joins the army to achieve glory. Badly wounded at Austerlitz, he begins to discover the emptiness of everything to which he has devoted himself. His death scene is considered one of the greatest passages in Russian literature.The novel''s other hero, the bumbling Pierre Bezukhov, tries to find meaning in life through a series of philosophical systems that promise to resolve all questions. He at last discovers the Tolstoyan truth that wisdom is to be found not in systems but in the ordinary processes of daily life, especially in his marriage to the novel''s most memorable heroine, Natasha. Both an intimate study of individual passions and an epic history of Russia and its people, War and Peace is nothing more or less than a complete portrait of human existence. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.

In the lavish and turbulent world of 19th-century Russia passion and society collide in Leo Tolstoy''s mesmerizing masterpiece, "Anna Karenina." It''s an entrancing saga that immerses you in the opulence of Imperial Russia, filled with clandestine affairs, extravagant soirées, and the timeless struggle between desire and societal norms. Follow Anna Karenina as she dares to defy convention for the sake of love. With every page, you''ll feel the intensity of her forbidden romance with Count Vronsky, a love that sets the stage for a captivating narrative filled with intricate characters and emotional upheavals. Tolstoy''s storytelling prowess is unparalleled, and "Anna Karenina" stands as a testament to his ability to dissect the human soul. You''ll be spellbound as you witness the characters'' joys and heartaches, and you''ll find yourself reflecting on the complexities of life, morality, and love. Experience the novel that transcends time, leaving an indelible mark on literature. Whether you''re a seasoned reader or just dipping your toes into classic literature, "Anna Karenina" promises an unforgettable voyage into the depths of passion and tragedy.

In the Sevastopol Sketches, Leo Tolstoy evocatively recollects his experiences at the Siege of Sevastopol in 1854-1855, over the course of three short stories. Although the trio of tales which comprise the Sevastopol Sketches are ostensibly fictional and written in the second person, they accurately recall Tolstoy''s experiences as a young man witnessing the Crimean War. All three possess philosophical overtones, with the overarching theme being a vilification of war as a wasteful, senseless and foolish expenditure of human life. The stories are as follows: The first opens in December 1854. Tolstoy arrives at the city of Sevastopol, which by that time had already hosted much conflict. The results of the fighting are portrayed in Tolstoy''s vivid descriptions of the makeshift field hospital. Horrendous wounds, amputations and misery pervade the air, as many of the soldiers must make do without beds to rest upon. In the second story, set in May 1855, further damage and horror has been inflicted upon Sevastopol. Alluding to the continuing destruction, Tolstoy discusses the psychological aspects of war, and the spirit which drives acts of heroism. He criticizes truces as a false show of humanity; for conflicts inevitably arise anew between the parties. The final story takes us to August 1855. Here Tolstoy discusses the conclusion of the siege, wherein Russia''s defeated and exhausted forces undertake a tactical retreat from the city grounds. The characters of Mikael and Vladamir Kozeltsov are explored; the pair are brothers who fight (and ultimately perish) for the Russian cause. The Sevastopol Sketches establish Tolstoy as a pacifist who considered war to be one of the most depraved and lamentable events characterizing mankind. Years after publishing these sketches, Tolstoy would draw upon the Siege of Sevastopol as a critical supplement to the narrative of his epic novel - War and Peace.

An alternative version – the one Tolstoy originally intended, but has been hitherto unpublished – of Russia’s most famous novel; with a different ending, fewer digressions and an altered view of Napoleon – it’s time to look afresh at one of the world’s favourite books.

What Is Love? “It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness. A handsome woman talks nonsense, you listen and hear not nonsense but cleverness. She says and does horrid things, and you see only charm. And if a handsome woman does not say stupid or horrid things, you at once persuade yourself that she is wonderfully clever and moral.” - Leo Tolstoy, The Kreutzer Sonata Upon hearing a woman arguing that marriage should never be arranged and always be subject to love, Pozdnyshev asks: ‘What is love?’ He condemns the argument saying that love doesn’t last forever and can quickly turn into hatred. What is Pozdnyshev’s story? Why doesn’t he believe in love? Xist Publishing is a digital-first publisher. Xist Publishing creates books for the touchscreen generation and is dedicated to helping everyone develop a lifetime love of reading, no matter what form it takes

In "The Kingdom of God is Within You," Leo Tolstoy articulates a profound exploration of faith, spirituality, and the moral life, merging philosophical musings with a poignant critique of institutional religion. Written during a period of intense personal and spiritual transformation, this work is characterized by Tolstoy''s accessible prose and contemplative tone, encouraging a direct relationship with the divine. Interweaving personal anecdotes and scriptural reflections, the narrative challenges traditional dogmas and advocates for a life led by love, compassion, and non-violence, crucial themes that resonate through his broader literary oeuvre. Tolstoy, a titan of Russian literature, experienced a profound spiritual awakening in the late 19th century, a shift that prompted him to reevaluate the purpose of existence and the role of faith in human life. His grappling with existential questions and moral dilemmas, alongside a critique of societal injustices, embeds this text in the context of his broader life philosophy. Tolstoy''s commitment to pacifism and social justice informed his views, leading him to advocate for a Christianity rooted in ethical behavior rather than ritualistic observance. Readers seeking a deeper understanding of spirituality and ethics will find "The Kingdom of God is Within You" invaluable. Tolstoy''s introspective insights illuminate the path to personal and societal transformation, making this book a timeless call to recognize the divine within ourselves and to embrace the principles of love and humanity.

It is an excellent history book for individuals who love history book.