War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

This episode is final installment with Prof. Mikaberidze. He discusses the nature of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) and how the Napoleonic Wars, at least politically, marked Medieval Times giving way to Modern Age in Central Europe.  Before 1805, was no Germany but the HRE, a commonwealth of over 300 subdivisions of mostly German-speaking states. This included kingdoms, free states, duchies, and bish...

Kutuzov is presented with a choice while the French advance toward Krems: (1) abandon the main road or (2) continue toward Ölmutz. Each is fraught with peril and he chooses the latter. It was in this direction he had sent Gen. Bagration, who Andrei (off-book) convinced Kutuzov to allow to join. In the previous chapter, Kutuzov steadfastly refused the request, under the belief Bagration would be de...

For those picking up War & Peace, deciphering the context of this era is a challenge. This episode is a great resource regarding the initial stages of the War of the Third Coalition in 1805.   France prevailed over the 1st Coalition in 1797 and 2nd Coalition in 1801. Afterward, France controlled much of Western Europe, including (from today’s perspective): Belgium, much of Southern Germany, Sw...

This episode is part I of III of my interview with LSU History Professor Alexander Mikaberidze, an expert on the Napoleonic Wars. I'm breaking our interview up into roughly 20 minute segments. We focus on General Mikhail Kutuzov, who is introduced, in-depth, to War & Peace readers in Book 1 Part 2. Chapter 13 has Prince Andrei taking in the scars Kutuzov suffered from being shot by musket...

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...

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? a...

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 ba...

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...

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...

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 si...

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...

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...

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” mean...

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...

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.  ...

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...

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 S...

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 Cather...

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 fee...

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, th...

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. W...

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 da...

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 t...

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...

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 h...