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War and Peace Study Guide

by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace study guide contains a biography of Leo Tolstoy, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

War and Peace begins in 1805 and follows five noble families as their fates intertwine during the Napoleonic wars. The families are:

1. The Bezukhovs – Count Kirill Bezukhov, a rich count who dies at the beginning of the novel, and his illegitimate son Pierre.

2. The Rostovs – Financially struggling. Led by Count Rostov and his wife, Countess Rostov. They have four children: snippy Vera, romantic Nikolai, beautiful Natasha, and boisterous Pyotr. They have also taken in Sonya Rostov, a young, orphaned cousin a few years older than Natasha.

3. The Bolkonskys – A wealthy family that lives at Bald Hills, their rural estate. They are led by the aging, eccentric Nikolai Bolkonsky. They include Prince Andrei, who is aloof and ambitious, his pious…

Read the full War and Peace Summary

• War and Peace Summary
• About War and Peace
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of Volume I, Part 1
• Summary and Analysis of Volume I, Part 2
• Summary and Analysis of Volume I, Part 3
• Summary and Analysis of Volume II, Part 1
• Summary and Analysis of Volume II, Part 2
• Summary and Analysis of Volume II, Part 3
• Summary and Analysis of Volume II, Part 4
• Summary and Analysis of Volume II, Part 5
• Summary and Analysis of Volume III, Part 1
• Summary and Analysis of Volume III, Part 2
• Summary and Analysis of Volume III, Part 3
• Summary and Analysis of Volume IV, Part 1
• Summary and Analysis of Volume IV, Part 2
• Summary and Analysis of Volume IV, Part 3
• Summary and Analysis of Volume IV, Part 4
• Summary and Analysis of Epilogue
• Translation Wars: English Versions of 'War and Peace'
• Related Links on War and Peace
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• War and Peace: Major Themes
• War and Peace: Essays
• War and Peace: E-Text
• War and Peace: Questions
• War and Peace: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Leo Tolstoy: Biography