Andrei embarks on his mission to “save the army” by getting back to Kutuzov. He secures a Cossack attendant and horse and travels from Brünn to Krems. He finds himself among thousands of soldiers. The roads were jammed with carts, horses and carriages. The men were deprived of food, supplies and weapons promised by the Austrians. This led to a situation where soldiers would ravage the countryside and return with plunder. The road remained a mess, with commanders yelling, whips cracking and soldi...
Feb 24, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Les Nôtres (Bilibin's clique of diplomats) were happy to open their group to Andrei and they all chatted in Bilibin’s study. However, Andrei quickly took his leave for the royal reception. Emperor Francis met various officials en masse but later Andrei received a more private audience. Francis asked Andrei banal questions such as: How long was it since Andrei left the field? How was Kutuzov? and..At what time was General Schmiddt killed? Francis spoke as if it was his aim to ask questions...with...
Feb 01, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Prince Andrei wakes up for a big day – for he has an invitation to a royal reception before Francis II, the Holy Roman Emperor. Francis will be the final person holding this title, after a near-1000 year run governing Central Europe. Vienna was often the seat of government but so were areas in the modern-day Check Republic, such as Brünn. German was the common tongue and the center of power was basically wherever the Emperor decided to be. Andrei is dressed in ceremonial uniform and enters Bilib...
Jan 26, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 10
The focus shifts to Prince Andrei. He was said to be serving with the late Gen. Schmidtt, who was killed at Dürenstein. Andrei is sent to convey a battlefield report to the Austrian court, which has moved from Vienna to Brünn (now in the Czech Republic – ‘Brno’). Traveling by carriage, Andrei is stirred with the exhilaration that comes from facing fire. In the fray, Andrei’s hand was grazed by a bullet and his horse was shot. He replayed the details of the battle and reflected on his own courage...
Jan 14, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 9
This episode elaborates on Tolstoy’s depiction of the historic retreat of Kutuzov eastward (following the Danube) towards Vienna. Kutuzov’s army amounted to 35K and were often buttressed by similarly retreating Austrian allies. The first part of Ch. 9 references this march along with three battles where the French vanguard caught up with Kutuzov’s rear-guard. The previous chapters mention Napoleon’s mastery at Ulm, where around 25K Austrians surrendered after a brilliant encircling maneuver. Aus...
Dec 31, 2023•9 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Only Denisov’s squadron of Hussars and some Cossacks were on the side of the crossing facing the enemy. The French became visible when they emerged from a tree line on the heights, putting their artillery into position. The Hussars remained poised amidst French bugle calls. Between Denisov’s men and the enemy was about 700 yards of vacant space. It was a no-man’s land Tolstoy gave transcendent significance. He wrote: “ One step beyond that line, which is like the bourne dividing the living from ...
Nov 26, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Chapter 6: General Kutuzov is obligated to have his forces fall back towards Vienna and destroy bridges that cross the River Enn, particularly at Braunnau and Traun (near Linz). On a warm but showery Autumn Day -- October 23, 1805 -- the bridge in Braunnau is focused on. Here, the Russian command is located on heights that provide a splendid view of the countryside surrounding Braunnau. This was not far from where the Enn flows into the Danube. Among the artillery guns was Prince Nesvitsky, who ...
Oct 29, 2023•8 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Word of Nikolai tracking down Lt. Telyanin and accusing him of stealing Denisov’s money spread through the army, reaching the Hussar Regimental Commander, Colonel Karl Bogdanych Schubert (a name evidencing German ancestry). Bogdanych, a fictional leader who was well-respected, confronted Rostov and called the young ensign a liar. He did this not out of any affinity for Telyanin, but to protect the integrity of his Hussars. The Colonel desires to avoid a green officer like Rostov publicly accusin...
Oct 09, 2023•7 min•Season 2Ep. 5
The story moves to the small German village of Zalzeneck, a few miles from Kutuzov’s headquarters in Braunau. Here, we catch up with Nikolai Rostov. Nikolai returns to camp with a small group who were foraging for hay. Nikolai is serving with the Pavlograd Hussars . Pavlograd was settled in the 1770s by Zaporizhian Cossacks. The area was named in 1783 for future Czar Paul, with “Pavlograd” meaning “Town of Paul.” The “Hussar” designation stems from the hussar units of Serbia and Hungary in the 1...
Sep 25, 2023•14 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Note: There are NO spoilers in the the 2nd Epilogue to War & Peace, which is analyzed in bonus chapters. This final part of the novel involves a metaphysical exploration of the philosophy underlying W&P. As Tolstoy (through Marya Bolkonskaya) expressed early in the novel, it is preferable to abide by the laws of Christ rather than academic sources. Tolstoy posits that history cannot take a step forward {meaning an understanding of history can’t be approached } until there is a return to ...
Sep 03, 2023•16 min•Season 4Ep. 5
General Kutuzov remains adamant about not sending his men into action. He is holding out despite appeals of Austrians leadership, who wish make use of his nearly arrived forces. Kutuzov is portrayed as knowing an attack would be foolhardy. He makes his position known to representatives of the Hofkriegsrat – the Austrian Council of War, who developed a reputation of bureaucratic decision-making. Kutuzov uses a correspondence of the Archduke to demonstrate his exhausted men are not needed, as the ...
Aug 25, 2023•9 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Along comes bouncing a light blue Austrian carriage escorted by Croatian horsemen, which is appropriate for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is time for the inspection of the newly arrived regiment. Out steps General Kutuzov along with his unnamed Austrian counterpart. As Kutuzov walks the line, he is pleased with the disposition of his troops. He notices the atrocious state of their boots, which the Austrians should have replaced. He points this out...diplomatically. Kutuzov graciously stops to ...
Jul 27, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Part 2 of Book 1 begins in the forests outside Braunau, in the Archduchy of Austria, very close to the conflict engulfing Europe. Thousands of soldiers from the Russian Empire marched 700 miles to link up with Austrian allies. The Russian contingent is under the command of General Mikhail Kutuzov and Austrians under General Karl Mack von Leiberich. This section focuses the Third Company of the Semyonovsky Regiment of about 2,000 men. They are camping near Braunau and are quite the curiosity to l...
Jul 05, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This is a 28-minute analysis of the 25 chapters of Part 1 of Book 1. It describes the context of the events Tolstoy brings to life, which starts in July of 1805. The analysis delves into major themes including war always seemingly on the horizon as well as the psychological battle of war & peace (voyna i mir) we all face. The discussion highlights how Tolstoy portrays the dying era of Catherine the Great (r. 1762-1796) with fictional characters such as Count Kirill Bezukhov (the first charac...
Jun 27, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Andrei is about to set out to become aide-de-camp to Gen. Kutuzov. He has on his traveling coat while meticulously packing his effects. He pays special attention to his Turkish pistols and a saber -- spoils of victory his father gifted him from the Siege of Ochakov in 1778. The weapons illustrate the significance of the conflicts of his (fictional) father. They also highlight the legacy Andrei feels pressured to live up to. Ochokov (presently Ochakiv) is on the winding southern coast of Ukraine,...
May 30, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 32
An intimate meal is held at the Bolkonsky estate on the sole day Andrei will reconnect with his father, Nikolay. The following day Andrei will be heading off to fight the indomitable forces of Napoleon. Awaiting in the dining room is Andrei, Lise, Marya, Mlle Bourienne, as well as Nikolay's architect, Mikhail Ivanovich, who is an odd addition. Usually a sticker for social class divisions, the old General invites his architect (considered a servant) to dine with him. This appears to be an attempt...
Apr 28, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Prince Andrei and his pregnant wife (Lise) arrive Andrei’s father’s Smolensk estate known as “Bald Hills.” Andrei only plans to spend the night, as he is rushing toward the career path of his father, Nikolai, who performed a lifetime of (fictional) military service. Nikolai Bolkonsky (nicknamed “The King of Prussia”) is symbolic of the era of expansion and colonization under Catherine the Great. West of Moscow, this involved partitions of Poland, which was split between Russia, Prussia and Habsb...
Apr 05, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 30
This episode involves Marya Bolkonskaya reading Julie Karagina’s letter and covers Marya’s response. Each missive is written in French and the content serves as a way to bring the reader up-to-speed on the time transpiring since Count Bezukhov's death. Each letter also serves as an exposition of the nature of the characters: Julie is revealed as a somewhat vapid heiress and Marya, the ideal daughter of her father and God. Julie begins through speaking about her affinity for Marya and commenting ...
Mar 14, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 29
For the first 20 chapters the action centered around the major cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, circa 1805. This chapter heads to the countryside to one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, Smolensk, founded in 863 A.D. It is west of Moscow and a bit south, not that far east of the Belarusian border. Smolensk was part of the Kyivan Rus’, the first state to rise among Eastern Slavs. While the early history of Ukraine is the history of Russia, the converse is not true. Generally, many think...
Feb 27, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Prince Vassily and Katerina are ready to make their move to deprive Pierre of his inheritance. First, Vassily wishes to get Anna and Pierre out of the way so the Count's will can be promptly destroyed. Therefore, Vassily invites them to take some tea or a slight snack via the spread set out for well-wishers. Pierre is escorted to the tea area by one of the Count’s nieces and Anna goes as well but remains close enough to keep track of the saboteurs. At some point, Katerina gets up and walks towar...
Jan 27, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Chapters 11-20 continue to establish background information on the main characters and central conflict (Napoleon's future invasion). It is slow going without piercing hooks. It is an exposition of the peace before the war. After being banished from St. Petersburg, Pierre has been staying at his ill father’s estate in Moscow. He is left alone by those caring for the Count and kept away from his father. In solitude, Pierre play-acts crossing the English channel as a conquering Napoleon, ready to ...
Jan 01, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Pierre is taken to the inner sanctum of his father's magnificent estate. The room was filled with family, physicians, and servants. The once powerful Kirill Bezukhov is on the precipice of death. The name Kirill derives from the Greek name Kyrillos (Κύριλλος), which comes from Kyrios (κύριος), meaning “lord,” or “lordly.” He is represented as one of Catherine the Great’s grandees , meaning a person of very high rank. In giving the character this particular name, Tolstoy captures the nature of hi...
Dec 23, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Pierre is sleeping in the back of an open coach while being driven to his father’s magnificent estate. Count Bezukhov is incapacitated and his wishes were that Pierre takes his estate. However, Pierre has little idea of this intention. The Count drew up papers to “legitimize” Pierre, however, they were never delivered to the proper authorities nor officially reviewed by the Emperor. Prince Vassily Kuragin has been plotting to subvert the will of the Count and learned the testamentary papers are ...
Dec 09, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 23
The chapter opens with a foreboding update about Count Kirill Bezukhov. As the Rostov affair was in full swing, the Count suffered his sixth stroke, which places him near death. His team of doctors thought it would be a matter of hours. Local undertakers were outside his estate, waiting to be paged while some of the elite of Moscow society marched in and out. Dr. Lorrain, the lead physician, was conspicuously seated under a portrait of Catherine the Great. Catherine died in 1796 so the Count's f...
Nov 07, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 22
The guests leave the dining area and head to the fancy entertainment rooms of the Rostov estate. These are the drawing rooms, sitting rooms, parlors, terraces, and libraries – the Rostov mansion has it all. Ilya Rostov sits down in one of the rooms to enjoy a French card game named after an American City, Boston . As per custom, young people gathered around a few instruments, including the clavier and harp. Julie Karagina takes a turn on one of these. There was some anticipation for Natasha and ...
Oct 17, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 21
The extravagant Rostov feast is winding down and the political talk is reaching a zenith. Shinshin asks why Russia should be thrown into a war with Napoleon. He notes Bonaparte already stopped Austria’s cackle and Russia's turn is likely next. The ethnically German colonel (in the Russian Army) who is within earshot gets irritated and announces his fealty to the Emperor. The colonel quotes Alexander's Declaration of War, which has the refrain -- to establish a lasting peace; the country must mob...
Sep 12, 2022•5 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Envision a locomotive the way many would circa 1860. What technology! It wasn’t brand new (as they were invented in 1804) but it was a Monster of the age in terms of making the world move. Tolstoy envisions the locomotive as a symbol of great historical movements and uses this symbolism to describe the limitations historians face in finding causes for such movements. He posits three people viewing the mighty locomotive and trying to explain the cause of the movement. The first, Tolstoy deals wit...
Sep 02, 2022•12 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Before the Rostov dinner, the men get together to talk politics and smoke cigars. We get a look at Count Rostov’s personality among the boys . He earns a cheap thrill in getting his intimates to debate the issues of the day. Seated next to him are Shinshin (Pyotr Nikolaitch) and Lt. Alphonse Berg. Both think they are quite charming. Shinshin is described as on old bachelor with a sallow complexion who tries to look much younger and dresses in the height of fashion. He is a relative of Countess R...
Aug 24, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Tolstoy presents his view on how academics view history. He essentially argues that historians have limited reliability. Tolstoy embarks on the path of grappling with the nature of power. He urges avoiding the trap of thinking Great Men move people. Instead, it is actually people (like You) who combine when they are willing to move. It is people (like You) who do all the heavy lifting and rarely get any of the credit. Tolstoy initially describes biographers of famous personages as well as author...
Aug 01, 2022•10 min•Season 4Ep. 3
A quick chapter centering on the emotions of Countess Natasha Rostova. Once Anna Mikhaylovna Drubetskaya left for the Bezukhov estate, Natasha becomes sentimental. Anna’s message, whether intended or not, affects her deeply. The Countess decides to help her childhood friend and not make Anna pursue a bequeathment from the sickly Count Bezukov who may be in no position to distribute anything. The Countess summons her husband through a servant and the good-natured Illya quickly answers. He is drip...
Jul 23, 2022•5 min•Season 1Ep. 18
