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War and Peace (Oxford World's Classics) Paperback – June 15, 2008

by Leo Tolstoy (Author), Louise and Aylmer Maude (Author), Henry Gifford (Editor)

4.5 472 ratings

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In Russia's struggle with Napoleon, Tolstoy saw a tragedy that involved all mankind. Greater than a historical chronicle, War and Peace is an affirmation of life itself, `a complete picture', as a contemporary reviewer put it, `of everything in which people find their happiness and greatness, their grief and humiliation'.

Tolstoy gave his personal approval to this translation, published here in a new single volume edition, which includes an introduction by Henry Gifford, and Tolstoy's important essay `Some Words about War and Peace'.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'there are pages of useful information making this volume the ideal vehicle to introduce the general reader to Tolstoy's epic ... the whole novel is here contained in one single volume ... so well bound that it will lie open at any page - an admirable quality in any book but rare to find in a paperback' Jean Fyfe, Scottish Slavonic Review, No. 20, 1993

About the Author

Henry Gifford, former Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Bristol University.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (June 15, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 1392 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199536058
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199536054
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.05 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 2.5 x 7.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #9,096,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #46,449 in Family Saga Fiction
- #145,873 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- #315,547 in Historical Fiction (Books)

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4.5 472 ratings

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Leo Tolstoy

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Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) wrote two of the great novels of the nineteenth century, War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

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SteveRI

Best updated translation. Period

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024

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Some people really love War and Peace. I am one of them. If you do, you may have read other translations, or even all the other translations. This is the best. Several reasons:

1. The Maude translation has traditionally been seen as the best, but it had flaws. Later translations have tried different approaches to correct those flaws, but do not read as well.

2. This revision of the Maude translation retains Russian names, which is more authentic. The Maudes Anglicized names, substituting Andrew for Andrei, etc.

3. The original Maude translation also translated all the French sections into English in the body of the text, reducing the impact of the heavy use of French in the original, which is critical to the story. This version retains the French in text and footnotes the English translations. Added bonus: you will see so much French that you might be able to learn to read it! German is also rendered in the original, and since the tension between the German and Russian generals is prominent this helps to bring home Tolstoy's thoughts.

4. The Maude translation broke the four books into more subsections than the original had and added chapter titles that were not in the original. A small point, but this translation feels the better for it.

NB: This is NOT a regular bookstore type book. No dust jacket. Looks more like a textbook. Thin pages. None of that bothered me. The story (and the translation) are supurb.

There has been light editing of the Maude translation which only improves the flow of the novel.

4 people found this helpful

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Edward

Excellent translation and hardcover copy

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024

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I would consider this to be the definitive translation of such a phenomenal work of literature. The cloth hardcover is comfortable to read, the notes in the book help provide context, and the French, German, Italian sentences alongside the English translations make this a wonderful reading experience. Highly recommend. War, what is it good for?

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Andy Lowry

the Oxford World's Classics edition: Truly great book (poorly annotated)

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019

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Amazon, STILL, aggregates reviews of different editions. (Do better, Bezos.) This review refers to the Oxford World's Classsic hardcover. I'm not addressing how incredibly excellent the book is, because, DUH.

As regards the binding, I had expected something like the wonderful Penguin hardcover classics. Nope: the paper is hardly distinguishable from the paperbacks in that series.

Translation: the honeymoon with Pevear & Volokhonsky has ended, & some critics are down on them. Alas I read no Russian, but I read a fair bit about translations. The original Maude(s) translation, like any, had its slips, but this is a revised one, and I noticed only one glaring mistake. No faults here. This edition puts all the French back into the text, with footnoted translations. This is the right move, because it adheres to Tolstoy's intentions, but several of the translations seemed sloppy (French, I can make out).

Annotation: surprisingly poor, hence 4 stars. Some examples. (1) Andrei's father is called "the king of Prussia" by his serfs, and we get a note about Frederick the Great, when the context obviously alludes to the proverb "working for the king of Prussia"; we get a later note about the proverb. (2) Emperor Alexander's joke about his councillors' being "the Committee of Public Safety" is spoiled because his French expression is mistranslated in the note as "Committee of Public Welfare" (Salut), which is NOT how the notorious governing body during the French Revolution is called in English. (3) The text alludes twice to Napoleon's quote about the Sphinx, "forty centuries look down upon you," but it's annotated only on the second appearance. (4) Astonishingly, the notes tell us Napoleon III was living in England while Tolstoy wrote War and Peace. Uh no: he was Emperor of the French that entire time (the text says he had people arrested, for heaven's sake). A real howler.

A great read, if you don't cringe at bad annotation like I do. I have to assume the editor delegated to a grad student.

25 people found this helpful

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Evan Wearne

An amazing novel

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2008

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Leo Tolstoy combines philosophy and history for one of the best fictional stories about a historical event that I have read. The plot is captivating from the beginning. A glimpse at the high society of Russia in the early 1800's followed by the story of the lives of the families at that gathering. The story of the Rostov's captures all the human emotions. The excitement of Nikolay at his first battle, only to be overcome by cowardice. The maturing of Nikolay into a courageous soldier. To see the same cycle beginning in his brother Petya. The life and death experiences of Prince Andrey and Pierre that shed light into the character of men. But throughout this story, Tolstoy inserts his cynical view of historians and government. Tolstoy does not love Napolean or think of him as a great commander, nor does Tolstoy give him credit for leading the French army to victories. Additionally, he criticizes the actions of government officials and military leaders for their brutality to their citizens and soldiers. I can only begin to describe the plot and the multiple story lines in War and Peace, but I assure you this novel will captivate you. The brilliance of Tolstoy is demonstrated in this novel and I highly recommend it.

2 people found this helpful

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Lauren D. DesJarlais

High-quality product!

Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2023

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Excellent book and seller! The item arrived early and was in the very best condition! Highly recommend both the book and the seller!

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MU

Good hardback book for the price

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2020

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Bought this hardback version of War and Peace for my daughter. She wanted her own copy of the book since I am reluctant to loan her my 1945 edition of the book. This way, she can mark up her edition as she pleases. The hardcover is to be expected for the price. The spine looks a little weak. The little embossed dove is a nice touch and the teal-green color is also nice.

One person found this helpful

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Casual Reborker

High quality binding and pages

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2018

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Excellent quality binding, pages are crisp and white upon arrival. One small thing though - the bottom right corner on the front was a little indented, so the first 20 or so pages ended being indented at the corner as well. Not a big deal, but just something to note about the packaging. It comes in a cardboard package with a snug fit. As the quality of the content, I do not know as I haven't read past the first chapter yet. However, I am anticipating great things in the coming weeks.

One person found this helpful

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Antônio Farias

Wonderful content, sleazy hard cover edition

Reviewed in Brazil on February 24, 2023

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The content is perfect: translation, notes, and list of characters are as good as you can get.
The hard cover edition is nonetheless disappointing. The paper is really cheap and it starts to turn yellow in just about 2 years. In addition the spine is now contorting.
My tip: buy the paperback, not the hard cover edition.

4 people found this helpful

Chris M.

Great edition. Accessible with on-page translation of French passages. Lovely paper and binding

Reviewed in Canada on February 14, 2023

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Highly recommend this edition if you want an updated version of the Maude translation. Beautifully presented and bound. Translations of the many French passages are helpfully provided at the bottom of each page and explanatory notes (at the back of the book) are sparing and helpful. I can't speak to the translation itself in terms of how faithful it is, but it is very readable to modern eyes.

Brian Hall

The best novel, ever.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2023

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I didn't think anything would beat Anthony Burgess' Earthly Powers, but this does. I'm not counting Dostoevsky's masterpieces because they are in a league all of their own.
This huge book has been a revelation, a page turner with an historical background, but about people you instantly care about.
A very broad scope but over just enough years to let the players develop. Really serious themes are communicated with clarity and in keeping with the story.
This translation by Louise and Aylmer
Maude is stunning, immensely readable and with sufficient notes to make you want to keep dipping to the back.
This book is a bargain, the best I ever had.