Although it is often called the greatest novel ever written, War and Peace was not even considered by its author, Leo Tolstoy, to be a novel. While this may seem puzzling at first, upon finishing the book Tolstoy’s assessment is true, for War and Peace has no defined plot. It, put broadly, is the story of five Russian families - the Rostovs, the Bolkonskys, the Kuragins, the Bezukhovs, and the Drubetskoys - and their experiences during the Napoleonic Wars, from 1805 and climaxing in Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 and the burning of Moscow. One of the significant aspects of War and Peace is not only how the characters are affected by the momentous times in their country, but also how each one changes as they grow older and new experiences bring them wisdom.

        It has been said by some critics that the true hero of War and Peace is not any singular person, but rather the whole of Russia and its people. In this book is depicted Russia’s search for identity during tumultuous times. From the very first paragraph—originally written in French—the influence of the French culture upon the Russians is clear. Not only do the high members of society converse in French at Anna Pavlovna’s soiree, but those in lower standing speak and even write in French—an entire letter, composed in her country estate, is written in French by Marya Bolkonskaya to Julie Kuragina. This vein continues throughout much of the novel, until it reaches a rather abrupt halt as Napoleon’s army is invading Russia. Tolstoy, through the changing thoughts and emotions of his characters—as well as the disappearance of French in the novel by the end of the first volume—shows how, as a result of their invasion of Russia, the influence of the French fell away.

        The Napoleonic Wars were the first time where Russia played a widespread, immense role in the history of Europe and the world. By 1812 Napoleon’s empire had stretched into Africa and much of Europe; control of Russia would inevitably lead to world domination. Anna Pavlovna says to Prince Vasili at the beginning of War and Peace that “Russia alone must save Europe.” Aside from showing the great patriotism the Russian people held (particularly their faith in their leader, Tsar Alexander), it is a historical truth that had not the 680,000-man Grand Armée been defeated by Kutuzov and the Russian winter, Napoleon would have reigned victorious over Europe and the world. Using his massive set of multidimensional characters, Tolstoy is able to use his work of fiction to provide a stunningly convincing display of this fact.

        While Tolstoy makes his views clear in the book, War and Peace is a scrupulously researched work. Veterans of the wars were interviewed, as well as commoners who had lived during the time. Actual messages and memorandums are used, as well as quotes from historical characters. It remains, however, historical fiction, and not all dialogue exchanged between characters is rooted in historical texts. Tolstoy’s characterizations of Tsar Alexander, Napoleon, and Kutuzov—among others—are all accurate, as well as their decisions. It is true that, had Alexander allowed the Russian troops to retreat and regroup with the Italians as Kutuzov wished, the loss of life would have been much less. Tolstoy was a novelist, and while War and Peace may not truly be a novel, he nonetheless took poetic liberties in his descriptions of the battles of Austerlitz and Borodino.

        War and Peace, as a work of literature, provides great insight into the Russian world  and people of the Napoleonic Wars. Tolstoy’s epic reveals what a standard history could not—the evolution of an entire nation. No other work of literature has, or likely ever will, successfully complete this Herculean task again.