Give War and Peace a Chance by Andrew D. Kaufman Summary
Overview of Give War and Peace a Chance
Discover how Tolstoy's epic masterpiece speaks directly to our chaotic times. Kaufman's accessible guide has inspired countless readers to finally tackle "War and Peace," revealing why Kirkus Reviews calls it the key to making this intimidating classic "lively and palpable" for modern audiences.
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Key takeaways
The Grand Canvas of Human Experience
War and Peace speaks to us across centuries because it captures what it means to be human in all its messy glory. Set against the Napoleonic Wars but written during Russia's tumultuous 1860s, Tolstoy's masterpiece offers not just entertainment but a roadmap for finding meaning amid chaos. The novel has inspired figures from Gandhi to Martin Luther King Jr. with its profound insights into human nature. When Oprah selected Anna Karenina for her book club, she called Tolstoy "one of the most passionate and alive characters I've ever encountered." Beyond literary circles, his influence permeates modern thought - his non-violent resistance philosophy shaped civil rights movements worldwide, while tech moguls cite War and Peace as essential reading for understanding human motivation. Have you ever created an elaborate plan only to watch it crumble upon contact with reality? Young Tolstoy certainly did. At nineteen, he developed a meticulous self-improvement regimen covering everything from mastering six languages to developing "physical will." Yet within five years, his accomplishments were mostly failures: university dropout, gambling away his ancestral home, contracting venereal disease, and failing as both farmer and reformer. His one unexpected success? Writing fiction. This pattern of grand plans meeting messy reality became central to War and Peace. Throughout the novel, characters' intellectual convictions disintegrate upon contact with real life. Before the Battle of Austerlitz, Russian generals create elaborate battle plans that dissolve in morning fog. Meanwhile, Commander Kutuzov - the novel's wisest military leader - simply gets a good night's sleep. He defeats Napoleon not through perfect planning but by being present to what's happening.
Seeing the World Through Tolstoy's Eyes
Moments of Transformation and Crisis
Beyond Success: The Emptiness of Achievement
The Power of Idealism in a Broken World
Finding Joy in Life's Flux and Family Bonds
Embracing Life's Beautiful Complexity
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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