Leo Tolstoy: War & Peace – Volume I (unabridged)
Read by Neville Jason
This famously long Russian novel is, concede the audio producers, ‘a remarkable challenge for any reader’. Neville Jason’s performance is supple and relaxed...he makes the members of the Russian... — Sunday Times More…
- Release Date: 2nd Oct 2006
- Catalogue No: NAX43312
- Label: Naxos AudioBooks
- Series: Classic Fiction, Complete Classics
- Length: 30 hours 16 minutes
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Tolstoy: War and Peace
BOOK 1 (1805) Chapter 1: 'Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just…'
In the midst of a conversation on political matters…
The prince was silent and looked indifferent.
Chapter 2: Anna Pavlovna's drawing room was gradually filling.
One of the next arrivals was a stout, heavily built young man…
Chapter 3: Anna Pavlovna's reception was in full swing.
Le charmant Hippolyte was surprising by his extraordinary…
Chapter 4: Just then another visitor entered the drawing room:
The elderly lady who had been sitting with the old aunt…
Chapter 5: 'And what do you think of this latest comedy…'
Before Anna Pavlovna and the others had time to smile…
Pierre, not knowing whom to answer, looked at them all…
Chapter 6: Pierre at Prince Andrei's Having thanked Anna…
Pierre reaching the house first went into Prince Andrei's study…
Chapter 7: The rustle of a woman's dress was heard…
Her husband looked at her as if surprised to notice…
Chapter 8: The friends were silent.
'It seems funny to me,' said Pierre,…
Chapter 9: Pierre at Anatole Kuragin's. Dolokhov's bet. It was…
Dolokhov was of medium height, with curly hair…
Placing the bottle on the window sill where he could reach it…
Chapter 10: A Nameday at the Rostov's Prince Vasili kept the…
'I am so sorry for the poor count,' said the visitor.
Chapter 11: Natasha and Boris Silence ensued.
Chapter 12: The only young people remaining…
The elders began talking about Bonaparte.
Chapter 13: When Natasha ran out of the drawing room…
Chapter 14: After receiving her visitors, the countess was…
In the drawing room the conversation was still going on.
Chapter 15: Anna Mikhaylovna and Boris go to the dying Count Bezukhov's 'My dear Boris,' said Princess Anna…
'Are you living with your mother?'
Chapter 16: Pierre at his father's house. Talks with Boris Pierre, after all, had not managed to choose a career…
'Do you remember me?' asked Boris quietly with a pleasant…
For a long time Pierre could not understand, but when he did…
Chapter 17: Countess Rostova and Anna Mikhaylovna After Anna Mikhaylovna had driven off with her son…
Chapter 18: Dinner at the Rostov's. Marya Dmitrievna Countess Rostova, with her daughters and a large number…
The count burst out laughing.
The count went in first with Marya Dmitrievna…
Chapter 19: At the men's end of the table the talk grew…
Chapter 20 Sonya and Natasha. Nikolai sings. The Daniel Cooper The card tables were drawn out, sets made up for Boston…
'Sonya,' she suddenly exclaimed, as if she had guessed…
While the couples were arranging themselves…
Chapter 21: At Count Bezukhov's. Prince Vasili and Catiche While in the Rostovs' ballroom the sixth anglaise was being…
Meanwhile Prince Vasili had opened the door to the princess's…
Prince Vasili looked questioningly at the princess…
'My dear Princess Catherina Semenovna,' began Prince Vasili…
Chapter 22: Anna Mikhaylovna and Pierre at Count Bezukhov's While these conversations were going on…
Anna Mikhaylovna's face expressed a consciousness…
Chapter 23: Pierre well knew this large room…
As the bearers, among whom was Anna Mikhaylovna…
Chapter 24: Anna Mikhaylovna and Catiche struggle for the inlaid portfolio There was now no one in the reception room…
'Why don't you speak, cousin?' suddenly shrieked the princess…
Chapter 25: Bald Hills – Prince Nikolai Andreivich Bolkonski _Princess Marya's correspondence with Julie Karagina At Bald…
The motion of the small foot shod in a Tartar boot…
Princess Marya went back to her room with the sad…
I confess I understand very little about all these matters…
I cannot agree with you about Pierre, whom I knew as a child.
Chapter 26: Prince Andrei at Bald Hills The grey-haired valet…
The little princess talked incessantly…
Prince Andrei went up and kissed his father on the spot…
Chapter 27: At the appointed hour the prince, powdered…
'He is a great tactician!' said the prince to his son…
Chapter 28: Prince Andrei leaves to join the army. Princess Marya gives him an icon Prince Andrei was to leave…
'I don't like your Mademoiselle Bourienne at all,'…
Rays of gentle light shone from her large, timid eyes.
When Prince Andrei entered the study the old man…
BOOK 2 (1805) Chapter 1: Review near Braunau. Zherkov and Dolokhov In October, 1805, a Russian army was occupying the villages…
A member of the Hofkriegsrath from Vienna had come…
Chapter 2: 'He's coming!' shouted the signaller at that moment.
Kutuzov walked slowly and languidly past thousands of eyes…
The regimental commander sought out Dolokhov in the ranks…
Chapter 3: Kutuzov and an Austrian general. Le malheureux Mack. Zherkov's foolery On returning from the review…
Though not much time had passed since Prince Andrei had left…
Prince Andrei was one of those rare staff officers…
Chapter 4: Nikolai and Denisov. Telyanin and the missing purse The Pavlograd Hussars were stationed two miles…
Puckering up his face though smiling, and showing…
When Rostov went back there was a bottle of vodka…
Rostov went to Telyanin's quarters.
Chapter 5: Nikolai in trouble with his fellow officers That same evening there was an animated discussion…
Denisov remained silent and did not move, but occasionally…
Chapter 6: Crossing the Enns Kutuzov fell back toward…
Chapter 7: Two of the enemy's shots had already flown…
'Take it if you like,' said the officer, giving the girl an apple.
Chapter 8: Burning the bridge. Rostov's baptism of fire The last of the infantry hurriedly crossed the bridge…
The black, hairy, snub-nosed face of Vaska Denisov…
'Colonel,' interrupted the officer of the suite…
On the French side, amid the groups with cannon…
Chapter 9: Prince Andrei sent with dispatches to the Austrian court. The Minister of War Pursued by the French army…
The night was dark but starry, the road showed black…
Prince Andrei's joyous feeling was considerably weakened…
Chapter 10: Prince Andrei and Bilibin Prince Andrei stayed…
Bilibin smiled and the wrinkles on his face disappeared.
'Vienna occupied?'
Chapter 11: Hippolyte Kuragin and les notres Next day he…
Chapter 12: Prince Andrei received by the Emperor Francis Bilibin's story of the Thabor Bridge At the levee…
'What is it all about?' inquired Prince Andrei impatiently.
Come, you must own that this affair of the Thabor Bridge…
Chapter 13: Prince Andrei returns to Kutuzov. Bagration sent to Hollabrunn That same night, having taken leave…
'Kindly let this cart pass. Don't you see it's a woman?'
Passing by Kutuzov's carriage and the exhausted saddle horses…
Chapter 14: Napoleon's letter to Murat On November 1…
The success of the trick that had placed the Vienna bridge…
Chapter 15: Prince Andrei reports to Bagration Between three…
They rode up the opposite hill.
Since early morning – despite an injunction not to approach…
Chapter 16: Prince Andrei surveys the position. The first shot Having ridden round the whole line from right flank to left…
Chapter 17: Bagration in action Mounting his horse again…
Prince Bagration screwed up his eyes, looked round…
Chapter 18: Battle scenes Prince Bagration, having reached…
While he was speaking, the curtain of smoke that had…
Chapter 19: Quarrelsome commanders The attack of the…
The squadron in which Rostov was serving had scarcely time…
Chapter 20: Timokhin's counter-attack. Tushin's Battery The infantry regiments that had been caught unawares…
Tushin’s battery had been forgotten and only at the very end…
From the deafening sounds of his own guns around him…
Chapter 21: Withdrawal. Tushin called to account by Bagration The wind had fallen and black clouds, merging with…
In the darkness, it seemed as though a gloomy unseen river…
Not far from the artillery campfire, in a hut that had been…
'Your Excellency!' Prince Andrei broke the silence…
BOOK 3 (1805) Chapter 1: A soiree at Anna Pavlovna's Prince Vasili was not…
It seemed so natural to Pierre that everyone should like him…
In the beginning of the winter of 1805 to 1806 Pierre received…
'So you have never noticed before how beautiful I am?'
Chapter 2: Helene's Name Day In November, 1805…
On Helene's name day, a small party of just their own people…
Into the insignificant, trifling, and artificial interests…
Some of the nearest relatives had not yet left.
Chapter 3: Prince Vasili and Anatole visit Prince Nikolai Old Prince Nikolai Bolkonski received a letter from…
Before dinner, Princess Marya and Mademoiselle Bourienne…
Anatole, having taken off his overcoat, sat with arms akimbo…
The little princess got up, rang for the maid, and hurriedly…
Chapter 4: When Princess Marya came down Prince Vasili…
The old prince dressed leisurely in his study, frowning…
As always happens when women lead lonely lives…
Chapter 5: They all separated, but, except Anatole…
Though no words had passed between Anatole and…
An hour later, Tikhon came to call Princess Marya…
Chapter 6: A letter from Nikolai. Sonya and Natasha It was long since the Rostovs had news of Nikolai.
'Do you remember him?' Natasha suddenly asked…
When she saw the count, she stretched out her arms to him…
Chapter 7: Nikolai visits Boris and Berg in camp. His encounter with Prince Andrei On the twelfth of November…
They had not met for nearly half a year and, being at the age…
Again Rostov looked intently into Boris's eyes and sighed.
In spite of Prince Andrei's disagreeable, ironical tone…
Chapter 8: The Emperor reviews the army. The day after…
In the deathlike stillness only the tramp of horses was heard.
The Tsar stopped a few minutes in front of the hussars…
Chapter 9: Boris visits Prince Andrei at Olmutz. Prince Dolgorukov The day after the review, Boris, in his best…
While Prince Andrei went to report about the purple-faced…
Dolgorukov, one of the warmest advocates of an attack…
Chapter 10: Nikolai not in the action at Wischau. Nikolai’s devotion to the Emperor At dawn on the sixteenth of…
'The Emperor! The Emperor!' was suddenly heard among…
The troops of the vanguard were stationed before Wischau…
Chapter 11: Preparations for action. Dolgorukov's opinion of Napoleon and his position. Kutuzov's depression The next…
Prince Andrei was on duty that day and in constant…
Chapter 12: The council of war. Weyrother's plans. Prince Andrei's reflections Shortly after nine o'clock that evening…
The generals seemed to listen reluctantly to the difficult…
The council of war, at which Prince Andrei had not been…
Chapter 13: Rostov at the front. Napoleon's proclamation That same night, Rostov was with a platoon on skirmishing…
'What's that? What do you make of it?' said Rostov…
Only when approaching Bagration did Rostov let his horse…
Chapter 14: The battle of Austerlitz At five in the morning…
Though none of the column commanders rode up to the ranks…
It was nine o'clock in the morning.
Chapter 15: At eight o'clock Kutuzov rode to Pratzen…
Overtaking the battalions that continued to advance…
'Why aren't you beginning, Michael Ilarionovich?'
Chapter 16: Kutuzov accompanied by his adjutants rode…
The French had attacked the battery and, seeing Kutuzov…
Chapter 17: On our right flank commanded by Bagration…
The Horse Guards were galloping, but still holding in their horses.
'Where are you off to?' asked Boris.
Chapter 18: Rostov had been ordered to look for Kutuzov…
When he had ridden about two miles and had passed…
Before 5 in the afternoon the battle had been lost at all points.
Chapter 19: On the Pratzen Heights, where he had fallen…
Bonaparte, having come up at a gallop, stopped his horse.
BOOK 4 (1806) Chapter 1: Nikolai home on leave Early in the year 1806…
Rostov, who had completely forgotten Denisov…
'Is this your sabre?' he shouted.
Rostov saw that it had been well considered by them.
Chapter 2: Preparations for dinner at the English club On his…
Having given several more orders, he was about to go…
On the first arrival of the news of the battle of Austerlitz…
Chapter 3: Bagration as guest of honour On that third of…
Bagration appeared in the doorway of the anteroom…
Just before dinner, Count Ilya Rostov presented his son…
Chapter 4: Pierre challenges Dolokhov Pierre sat opposite…
Pierre, with downcast eyes, drank out of his glass without…
Chapter 5: The duel 'Well begin!' said Dolokhov.
Chapter 6: Pierre and Helene Pierre had of late rarely seen…
Next morning when the valet came into the room with his…
Chapter 7: Bald hills. News of Andrei missing 2 months…
The princess sank helplessly into an armchair beside her father…
Chapter 8: Lise's confinement 'Dearest,' said the little…
It was one of those March nights when winter seems to wish…
Chapter 9: Lise The little princess lay supported by pillows…
Chapter 10: Denisov and Dolokhov at the Rostovs' Rostov’s share in Dolokhov's duel with Bezukhov was hushed…
In the autumn the Rostovs returned to Moscow.
Chapter 11: Dolokhov's proposal On the third day after…
Chapter 12: Iogel's ball. Denizov's mazurka Iogel's were the…
The band struck up the newly introduced mazurka.
Chapter 13: Nikolai plays cards with Dolokhov For two…
Rostov submitted. He let the 800 remain and laid…
Chapter 14: An hour and a half later most of the players…
The score against him reached the fateful sum of 43…
Chapter 15: Nikolai at Home To say 'tomorrow' and keep up…
Nikolai began pacing up and down the room.
Chapter 16: Nikolai confesses to his father. Natasha confides in her mother It was long since Rostov had felt such…
Natasha came running to her mother, quite excited.
BOOK 5 (1806 – 1807) Chapter 1: Pierre meets Bazdeev After his interview with…
His servant handed him a half-cut novel, in the form of letters…
Chapter 2: 'I have the pleasure of addressing Count Bezukhov…'
He stopped and remained silent for a long time.
The Mason cleared his throat huskily, as old men do…
Chapter 3: The Brotherhood of Freemasons On reaching…
The door opened and someone came in.
Half an hour later, the Rhetor returned to inform the seeker…
Chapter 4: Soon after this there came into the dark chamber…
Pierre glanced at the serious faces of those around…
Chapter 5: Pierre and Prince Vasili The day after he had…
Chapter 6: A soiree at Anna Pavlovna's The duel between…
Boris, grown more manly and looking fresh, rosy and…
Chapter 7: Hippolyte at Anna Pavlovna's When Boris and…
Chapter 8: Old Prince Bolkonski as Commander-in-Chief of conscription The war was flaming up and nearing the…
There were in the room a child's cot, two boxes…
Chapter 9: Bilibin's letter about the campaign Bilibin was…
'The field marshal is angry with the Emperor and he…'
Chapter 10: Pierre visits his estates Soon after his admission.
In the spring of 1807 he decided to return to Petersburg
Chapter 11: Pierre visits Prince Andrei Returning from his…
They went out and walked about till dinnertime…
They rose from the table and sat down in the entrance porch…
'Why aren't you serving in the army?'
Chapter 12: Pierre and Prince Andrei talk on the ferry raft In the evening Andrei and Pierre got into the open carriage…
'Do you believe in a future life?' he asked.
Chapter 13: God's folk at Bald Hills It was getting dusk…
'Where have you been? To Kiev?' Prince Andrei asked…
Chapter 14: Old Prince Bolkonski and Pierre The pilgrim…
Chapter 15: Nikolai rejoins his regiment When returning…
Platov's division was acting independently of the main army.
Chapter 16: In April the troops were enlivened by news…
The next day the regimental commander sent for Denisov…
Chapter 17: Nikolai visits Denisov in hospital In June the…
Rostov and the assistant went into the dark corridor.
Chapter 18: Going along the corridor, the assistant led Rostov…
Chapter 19: Boris at Tilsit Having returned to the regiment…
As soon as he noticed a French officer, who thrust his head…
Chapter 20: Nikolai tries to present Denisov's petition Rostov had come to Tilsit the day least suitable for a petition…
'Whom do you want?' someone inquired.
Chapter 21: Napoleon and Alexander as allies The Emperor…
Officious hands, Russian and French, immediately seized…
BOOK 6 (1808 – 1810) Chapter 1: Prince Andrei's occupations at Bogucharovo In 1808 the Emperor Alexander went to Erfurt for a fresh…
In the spring of 1809 he went to visit the Ryazan estates…
Chapter 2: Prince Andrei's visit to the Rostovs at Otradnoe Prince Andrei had to see the Marshal of the Nobility for the…
Chapter 3: The return through the forest Next morning…
Chapter 4: Speranski, Arakcheev and Prince Andrei Prince Andrei arrived in Petersburg in August, 1809.
During his service, chiefly as an adjutant, Prince Andrei had…
Chapter 5: While waiting for the announcement of his…
Prince Andrei followed Speranski's every word and movement…
Chapter 6: During the first weeks of his stay in Petersburg…
Everything was right and everything was as it should be…
Chapter 7: Pierre and the Petersburg freemasons Nearly two…
In the summer of 1809 Pierre returned to Petersburg.
Chapter 8: Pierre seeks advice from Joseph Alexeevich Again Pierre was overtaken by the depression he so dreaded.
Joseph Alexeevich, having remained silent and thoughtful…
Chapter 9: Helene's social success At that time, as always …
Chapter 10: Pierre's diary Pierre went on with his diary …
Third of December.
Chapter 11: The Rostovs in Petersburg The Rostovs …
After the first feeling of perplexity aroused in the parents…
Chapter 12: Natasha and Boris Natasha was sixteen…
Chapter 13: Natasha’s bedtime talks with her mother. One night when the old countess, in nightcap and…
Natasha did not let her finish.
Chapter 14: Natasha's first grand ball On the thirty-first…
When her hair was done, Natasha, in her short petticoat…
Chapter 15: Natasha had not had a moment free since…
Peronskaya was pointing out to the countess the most…
Chapter 16: Suddenly everybody stirred, began talking,…
Prince Andrei, in the white uniform of a cavalry colonel…
Chapter 17: After Prince Andrei, Boris came up to ask Natasha…
Chapter 18: Dinner at Speranski’s Next day Prince Andrei…
Prince Andrei looked at the laughing Speranski with…
Chapter 19: Prince Andrei calls on the Rostovs Next day…
Chapter 20: The Berg’s evening party One morning Colonel…
Berg, judging by his wife, thought all women weak and foolish.
Chapter 21: Pierre, as one of the principal guests, had to sit…
‘What do you think of Natalie?’
Chapter 22: Natasha consults her mother._ Andrei confides in Pierre Next day, having been invited by the count…
That day Countess Hélène had a reception at her house.
Chapter 23: Prince Andrei seeks his father’s consent Prince Andrei needed his father’s consent to his marriage…
A footman wanted to come in to clear away something…
Natasha never remembered how she entered the drawing room.
Chapter 24: Prince Andrei’s last days with Natasha No betrothal ceremony took place and Natasha’s…
The old countess sighed as she looked at them…
Chapter 25: Prince Nikolai Bolkonski’s and Princess Marya During that year after his son’s departure, Prince Nikolai…
You ask whether we shall spend next winter in Moscow.
Chapter 26: In the middle of the summer Princess Marya…
Little Nikolai and his education, her brother Andrei…
BOOK 7 (1810 – 1811 ) Chapter 1: Nikolai Rostov returns home on leave The Bible…
During the first half of the journey – from Kremenchug to Kiev…
Chapter 2: Nikolai settles accounts with Mitenka After reaching home Nikolai was at first serious and even dull.
Chapter 3: Nikolai goes hunting The weather was already…
Chapter 4: The wolf hunt begins The old count, who had…
The oasis of the Otradnoe covert came in sight a few…
The count, forgetting to smooth out the smile on his face…
Chapter 5: Nikolai Rostov meanwhile remained at his post…
As if aware of her danger, the wolf turned her eyes on Karay…
Chapter 6: The fox hunt The old count went home…
The way to Ilagin’s upland was across the fields.
The huntsman stood halfway up the knoll holding up…
Chapter 7: An evening at Uncle’s Toward evening Ilagin…
Soon after ‘Uncle’s’ reappearance the door was opened…
‘Open the door, there!’ he shouted.
‘Uncle’ rose, and it was as if there were two men in him…
In the village through which they passed there were red…
Chapter 8: Nikolai’s mother finds him a bride Count Ilya…
Several times the countess, with tears in her eyes…
Chapter 9: Christmas at Otradno Christmas came and…
Two governesses were sitting with the Vogels at a table…
Chapter 10: ‘Does it ever happen to you?’ said Natasha…
In the middle of their talk in the sitting room, Dimmler came…
The mummers (some of the house serfs) dressed up as bears…
Nikolai set off, following the first sleigh; behind him the…
Chapter 11: At Melyukovka Pelageya Danilovna Melyukova…
In an hour, all the costumes were crumpled and disordered.
Chapter 12: The drive home When they all drove back…
With Sonya’s help and the maid’s, Natasha got the glass…
Chapter 13: Nikolai’s mother opposes his choice of bride Soon after the Christmas holidays Nikolai told his mother…
‘Nikolai, you’re talking nonsense!’
BOOK 8 (1811 – 1812) Chapter 1: Pierre’s life in Moscow After Prince Andrei’s…
In moments of pride, when he thought of his position…
Chapter 2: Prince Nikolai Bolkonski in Moscow At the…
In Moscow Princess Marya had no one to talk to…
Chapter 3: Doctor Metivier and the old Prince In 1811 there…
At two o’clock the six chosen guests assembled for dinner.
There was a momentary pause in the conversation…
Chapter 4: Pierre’s conversation with Princess Marya Princess Marya as she sat listening to the old men’s talk…
Chapter 5: Boris’s proposal Boris had not succeeded in…
Anna Mikhaylovna, who often visited the Karagins…
Chapter 6: The Rostovs stay with Marya Dmitrievna At the end…
When they came in to tea, having taken off their outdoor…
Chapter 7: Count Rostov and Natasha call on Prince Nikolai Bolkonski Next day, by Marya Dmitrievna’s advice…
Despite the uneasy glances thrown at her by Princess Marya…
Chapter 8: The Rostovs at the Opera That evening the…
Natasha looked in the direction in which her father’s eyes…
Chapter 9: The floor of the stage consisted of smooth boards…
The first act was over.
Chapter 10: Hélène presents Anatole to Natasha During the…
The curtain rose again.
Chapter 11: Anatole and Dolokhov in Moscow Anatole Kuragin…
Chapter 12: Hélène visits the Rostovs The day after the opera…
Just as she had put on a bodice without sleeves…
Chapter 13: The reception at Hélène’s. Mademoiselle George’s recitation Count Rostov took the girls to Countess…
The count wished to go home, but Hélène entreated…
Chapter 14: Natasha receives two letters Morning came…
After reading the letter Natasha sat down at the writing table…
Chapter 15: Sonya finds Anatole’s letter On returning…
When she saw Natasha’s fright, Sonya shed tears of shame…
On the day the count left, Sonya and Natasha were invited…
Chapter 16: Anatole at Dolokhov’s Anatole had lately moved…
Dolokhov with a cold smile and a gleam in his handsome…
Chapter 17: Anatole sets off Anatole went out of the room…
Chapter 18: Marya Dmitrievna reproaches Natasha Marya Dmitrievna, having found Sonya weeping…
Marya Dmitrievna went on admonishing her for some time…
Chapter 19: Pierre at Marya Dmitrievna’s From the day his…
After hearing the details of Anatole’s marriage from Pierre…
Chapter 20: Pierre confronts Anatole Pierre did not stay…
Pierre’s face, already pale, became distorted by fury.
Chapter 21: Prince Andrei returns to Moscow Pierre drove…
After a few words to Pierre about the awful roads…
Chapter 22: Pierre and Natasha That same evening Pierre…
She began to cry and a still greater sense of pity, tenderness…
