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Give War and Peace a Chance: Tolstoyan Wisdom for Troubled Times Paperback – February 10, 2015
by Andrew D. Kaufman (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 60 ratings
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Editorial Reviews
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“Give War and Peace a Chance…is an enthusiastic primer to Tolstoy’s most famous work, which shows how genuinely exciting it can be to read.”, The Toronto Star
"That a novel 'full of clear, honest reflection on the pain of living' is also 'one of the most life-affirming works of fiction' becomes, for Andrew D. Kaufman, a contradiction worth exploring. He does so in this alluring study with a ferocity and lightness of touch that Tolstoy himself would have admired. By exploring a handful of key themes in War and Peace, Kaufman brings us back to the shimmering pages of a classic novel, and his book is nothing less than inspiring." -- Jay Parini, author of The Last Station
“If you come from a family, then you'll understand [War and Peace’s] deepest meaning, thanks to Mr. Kaufman's erudition and scholarship.”, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"No other novel in world literature possesses the intimidating allure of Tolstoy’s War and Peace. It is the very Everest of fiction, and most readers need a sherpa. Andrew Kaufman has not only produced a perfect guide to the setting, characters, history, and background of this epic work, all skillfully interwoven with events in Tolstoy’s life; he has done so with zest and personality." -- Dana Gioia, former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts and internationally acclaimed poet
“[Kaufman’s] argument is mischievously compelling: Why waste money on motivational tapes and seminars when this fictional account of the Napoleonic Wars provides greater salve for the soul?....An attaboy to Kaufman for reminding us of its relevance to our anxious century.”, The Miami Herald
"Andrew Kaufman has written the book on War and Peace for our time. In his colloquial and personal style he explores, as his subtitle puts it, Tolstoyan Wisdom For Troubled Times, recovering this wisdom not only from Tolstoy’s diaries, letters, and essays, but, more importantly yet, the text of the novel itself. This is quite simply the most engaging and thought-provoking book on Tolstoy I have ever read." -- Richard Gustafson, Columbia University, author of Leo Tolstoy: Resident and Stranger
“Once you have taken Kaufman’s well—informed yet unintimidating tour of the Russian classic, it will very likely move up to the top of your literary bucket list. Kaufman’s mission is to share the wonder and power of this ageless novel he so clearly reveres and to make the case for its continuing relevance in the 21st century. He succeeds admirably…. Even without ever having cracked the spine of the novel itself, readers will feel as if they have, coming to know its characters and their dreams, failures and destinies. [Kaufman] brings them to life with such affection that even the most flawed among them becomes someone we wish to know better.", Bookpage
"Andrew Kaufman has found a refreshingly informal way of reading (and re-reading) War and Peace, weaving the lives of the novel’s characters together with Tolstoy’s life and his own. By breaking all the critical rules, he manages to enter into the ever shifting and growing reality that Tolstoy sought to portray, producing an excellent ‘companion’ for new readers of the novel." -- Richard Pevear, best-selling, award-winning translator (with Larissa Volokhonsky) of War and Peace and Anna Karenina
“Kaufman looks to the novel for guidance, ‘not so much as a set of answers to life’s every challenge as an attitude toward living.’ [He] makes Tolstoy’s characters lively and palpable… [and Kaufman’s] enticing invitation may well persuade readers to finally dive into one of the world’s most acclaimed—and daunting—novels.”, Kirkus Reviews
“A serious, thoughtful inquiry into how literature can affect and change people's lives… Do give this fine, perceptive book a chance; it'll leave you more than ready to tackle Tolstoy's triumphant work.”, Shelf Awareness
About the Author
Andrew D. Kaufman, internationally recognized Russian literature scholar at the University of Virginia, is the author of Understanding Tolstoy and coauthor of Russian for Dummies. An award-winning teacher of Russian language, literature, and culture, he is a featured Tolstoy expert on Oprah.com and is frequently invited to discuss Russian literature and culture on national and international television and radio programs.
Product details
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (February 10, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 145164471X
ISBN-13: 978-1451644715
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars60 customer ratings
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#616 in General Books & Reading
#163 in Russian Literary Criticism
#2742 in Author Biographies
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war and peace peace a chance andrew kaufman give war read war tolstoyan wisdom professor kaufman years ago beautifully written troubled times tolstoy in his masterpiece nikolai rostov leo tolstoy russian literature reading this book wisdom for troubled along the way never read prince andrei courage to deathTOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICE
Top international reviews
Dr T.
5.0 out of 5 stars A life changing readReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2014
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I have always enjoyed Tolstoy but to find a readable accessible convincing analysis of why he is worth reading by an expert American academic the greatest treat in the world.
You do not need a breakdown of the book suffice it to say that students taught by Andrew Kaufman are the luckiest and most privileged people in the world because he analyses and explains and enlightens about this great writer and his search for truth the way in which he achieves this end the endless humanity of his characters how easy it is to identify with them is clear because of the clarity and readability of Kaufman's prose. If you have even been tempted to give Tolstoy and a chance this wonderful book could be the springboard you need Kaufman's enthusiasm is contagious!! He has read War and Peace 15 times and never tires of it because it always offers some new insight into the human condition. Not least his insights into Tolstoy the man and his life just enlivens and enriches the book. Do buy it and read it, you will never regret it I promise
Frances Twinn a bookworm from South London in her sixties!! This book merits five stars and then some!!
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John D. CofieldTop Contributor: Fantasy Books
TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars A Welcome Re-Introduction
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2014
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War and Peace is a reading experience that I've tackled a few times in my life: going all the way through twice, and several other bouts of skipping and jumping and rereading here and there just to refresh my memories of certain passages. But I certainly never had the full "War and Peace" experience of deeply appreciating anywhere near enough of the beauty and depth of Tolstoy's great novel. I identified with young Nicolai and Petya Rostov, admired Andrei Bolkonsky, eventually came to respect Pierre Bezukhov, and fell in love with Natasha Rostov, but on the whole I felt overwhelmed by the massive brilliance of the book. Now Andrew Kaufman has provided the perfect guide for the perplexed but respectful War and Peace reader.
In contrast to his subject, Kaufman keeps things succinct. This book has twelve short chapters, each dealing with one aspect of Tolstoyan wisdom as found in War and Peace: Plans, Imagination, Courage, Truth, among others. Each chapter is between 15 to 20 pages, but all are rich in insight and wisdom. Kaufman describes how War and Peace's characters deal with each other and with the gigantic historical movements in which they are caught up. While doing so he inspires his readers to recognize and evaluate how we ourselves deal with our own troubled times and lives. We also learn a lot about Tolstoy himself, so that this highly gifted but deeply troubled man, as well as his ever forbearing wife and family, comes back to life. Kaufman does the same thing for himself, providing little autobiographical snippets that show how important War and Peace has been in his own life and in the lives of his students, including some troubled youths at a correctional institute who found that Tolstoy has important things to say to them.
When I reread War and Peace (as I certainly will now that Kaufman has shown me so much) I will make sure to keep this book at my side as a guide and facilitator.
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6 people found this helpful
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Rickie A. McPeak
4.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite Tolstoyan characters is Count Nikolai Rostov
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2015
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I share Andy's passion for Tolstoy's masterwork, and I am indebted to both authors -- Leo Tolstoy for inspiring me to seek and confront truth, even when it makes me uncomfortable, and Andy Kaufman for making Tolstoy's writings accessible to a broader audience. In this insightful book, Andy notes that Tolstoy depicts life as a battle, full of unexpected, dynamic, and unique challenges for each human being. One of my favorite Tolstoyan characters is Count Nikolai Rostov, an impulsive young cavalry officer who, as Andy notes, feels more comfortable on the battlefield with his comrades than on the estate with his family. Count Leo Tolstoy, an artillery officer and veteran of the Crimean War, also valued and adeptly depicted camaraderie in the face of mortal danger during wartime. He, like his creation Nikolai, experienced difficulty returning from the battlefield and reintegrating into civil society. Both Tolstoy and Nikolai struggled mightily with the moral ambiguities of armed conflict. No doubt, veterans of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan relate to Tolstoy's and Nikolai's appreciation of the community of combatants and to the challenges of returning home. Applying Tolstoyan wisdom and, by inference, world literature to current challenges is Andy Kaufman's lasting contribution.
5 people found this helpful
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Caroline D.
5.0 out of 5 stars The motivation you need to get through War and Peace
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book was absolutely essential. I picked it up after hearing Professor Kaufman on a podcast and was so moved by his explanation of the characters and story that I was inspired to read War and Peace. Kaufman's own fascination and joy from the novel encouraged me to keep reading War and Peace even through the many hundreds of pages. The complexity and beauty that Kaufman describes in his book are absolutely to be found in Tolstoy's wonderful world. This book offers both the motivation and the necessary background to make reading War and Peace both approachable and irresistible. Five enthusiastic stars!
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eileen stephens
5.0 out of 5 stars Russian Tea
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2014
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Reading Give War and Peace A Chance is akin to having a series of visits from a learned friend who arrives in the afternoon to share cups of aromatic Russian tea and dark bread. The two of you compare your views of life with Tolstoy's insights as expressed in War and Peace. During each of the dozen visits (chapters) you focus on a different topic: Family, Courage, Success and so on. Your guest, author Andrew Kaufman, recalls personal experiences that relate to the characters and events in the epic tale, inducing you to draw parallels from your own life. The points of the discussions are thoughtfully noted with page references to the well-regarded translation by Volokonsky.
My particular favorite discussions were the final three on Death, Perseverance and Truth. The deaths of Andrei and Petya, the imprisonment and "enlightenment" of Pierre and the domestic life of the mature Pierre form the hearts of these chapters, respectively. One of the truths that Tolstoy demonstrates, observes Mr. Kaufman, is that real stories never end--not neatly. There are always loose ends, political currents and, above all, new lives to continue the tale.
I was sorry to come to the end of our visits.
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