War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

This podcast has made it through a commentary on the first ten chapters of War & Peace. It has compiled literally dozens of views - okay, my attempts at humor can be self-effacing.There are over 360 chapters in this book (and chapter can differ by the version you are picking up). Nevertheless, every three and a half chapters will amount to 1% of the book. Covering 10 chapters indicates just over 3% of the novel has been discussed, so completion of this project can be expected………much further than I would like to imagine.It is no overestimate to say classic literature is under-appreciated, even this classic of classics. Often not appreciated is that War & Peace centers on Napoleon and the lead-up to his June 1812 invasion of Russia. The connections between Russia and the French of also unexplored, as the aristocracy of Russia generally spoke French to one another (though it was a relatively crude form) and the Russian language was more popular among the peasantry. Ukrainian was also spoken among farmer

The action goes briefly back in time to Chapter 8 when young Natasha Rostov leaves the drawing room, which is filled with guests for the name-day celebration. The name being celebrated: Natasha, which mother and daughter of the Rostov family share.Natasha appeared embarrassed the adults noticed her affection for Boris. She runs into the conservatory, hoping her young love would follow her. She hid behind some plants. Boris came in, saw nobody, and carefully looked at himself in the mirror. He is a quiet and serious type as well honest and forthright. Boris admired his own image and then left.Before Natasha moved from behind the plants, Sonya came in crying. She was upset that her own young love, Nikolai Rostov, was getting overly friendly with another girl (Julie Kuragin) at the event. Nikolai followed Sonya and immediately comforted her. He took Sonya by the hand and revealed she meant everything to him. As far as Nikolai is concerned, they are the only two people in the world. He expressed that she should n

At the Rostov dinner party at their Moscow estate, the genial Count Illya Rostov tell visitors that his son has joined the Hussars. A Colonel Schubert (fictional) is on leave, visiting the Rostovs, and is set to take their dear son away. The Count does not come across as overly worried. The intensity of the war to come is unknown and heavy engagement is not looked upon as realistic. There is always talk of war but Napoleon and his Grande Armée seem very far away.Though the Rostovs are fictional, the Pavlograd Hussars are not. They are a famed light calvary unit created by Peter the Great in 1723. They were based on the Serbian Hussars of the Habsburg dynasty. The officers were known for their distinctive uniforms as well as for carrying a sword and two pistols.The podcaster notes Pavlohrad is a city in Ukraine that wants nothing to do with Russia. Just as Napoleon invaded a people he could not defeat, the people of Pavlohrad overwhelmingly feel the same way about foreign encroachment. Pavlohrad (using the Ukr

While the Name-Day celebration (in honor of "Natasha") continues at the Rostov estate in Moscow, the children of the household make an appearance.A door burst open to the Drawing Room (a room near the front of an estate where guests are entertained), and Natasha Rostov, 13, leads the way. She appears to be a natural leader and radiates confidence. She is followed by her brother Nikolai as well as Boris and Sonya (15). Sonya is Count Rostov's niece. Pulling up the rear (and noticeably younger) is little Petya Rostov. Natasha is warmly welcomed by her father and tolerated by her mother. She is her father's special "pet." There was a general feeling that kids should be kept in more private quarters and away from the guests.The host, Ilya Rostov, is a warm man and is happy to see the children. With the kids entering the domain of the adults, each has a different level of comfort. Boris and Nikolai are the same age, about 15 (but the ages lack consistency in the novel), and grew up together

The action moves from St. Petersburg to Moscow, to the home of another wealthy family, the Rostovs, who will be followed throughout the novel.Count Rostov, a pleasant sort, is welcoming guests and inviting them to partake in a grand dinner. He delights in calling everyone, regardless of social rank, "my dear."So far, it is party after party in the first few chapters, the "Peace" in War & Peace - but the talk at the high society event turns to the threat of war on the horizon.Leading the discussion is Princess Anna Drubetskaya, a relation of the Rostovs. Her son Boris, who she got into the Imperial Guard through working her old connections, grew up, for long periods, within the Rostov household. Boris is a teenager - somewhere around 15-18 (though there are inconsistencies with the ages). The women are talking about more local matters; namely that Pierre's father, the elderly Count Kirill Bezukhov is very ill and a special doctor has been called. He is thought to be on death's door.

The second part of Chapter VI brings some pure unaltered fun in the form of "Boys being Boys." Mundane background about the state of political affairs and the society crowd’s complaints and disillusionments take a backseat. This chapter has bragging, gambling, drinking, a death-defying stunt and…..a bear on a chain.Upon leaving his friend’s home, Pierre takes an open carriage (an 1805 cab). Pierre promised Andrei he would go home but Pierre is pulled by the energy of the night. The brightness of the moon completely lit the streets. Pierre thinks to himself, “it would be nice to go to Kuragin’s,” and like a magnet is drawn to his debauched friend. Pierre rationalizes his decision during the ride, he thinks - what are words of honor as to trivial matters when one day, we all will be dead?. He wants to do something that will stir the soul. He regarded his promise to Andrei to go home a mere formality. So, off to Kuragin’s!Anatole has hosted a night of cards for his friends, many of whom are in the milita

Andrei and Pierre are interrupted by Princess Lise (Elisabeta Karlovna Bolkonskaya), who has changed from her formal wear into night attire. While the day is ending for Lise, the night remains young for Pierre.The Princess is quite happy to see Pierre. She views him as a like-mind and is comfortable speaking freely around him. Pierre brings up what has been crushing Lise's spirit, namely why is Andrei headed off to fight against the Napoleonic army. Her concern is Andrei's safety as well as being left behind late in her pregnancy.  She will be left to his family's country estate, staying with Andrei's father and sister. She remarks that men can’t get on in this world without war -- for their ego, they feel compelled to chase some type of power and glory. Women on the other hand, want nothing of it. Lise notes that Andrei has a lot going for him in St. Petersburg, a good position, an opportunity to work with Emperor Alexander, and most of all -- he is going to be a father. She gets more passion

The guests at Anna Pavlovna's event are leaving. The horse carriages and coats are readied by the footmen. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov enjoy briefly interacting with one another. They are two of the great characters of literature and throughout the novel they are not together all that often, so these are special moments.Tolstoy gives a physical description of Pierre: uncommonly tall, stout and large reddish hands. Whenever entering or leaving a room, he does so clumsily. At the party, instead of his own hat, he grabs the three-cornered hat of a General. He has a huge heart to go along with his frame. A level of favor seems to follow him, like many a Bible character with a pure essence. Tolstoy was heavily influenced by Scripture.Prince Andrei has no interest in conversing with the society crowd - but he has a warm affinity towards Pierre and looks forward to conversing with him after the soirée.The scene shifts to Andrei's study, where Pierre picks out Julius Caesar's Commentaries.

Anna Pavlovna's soirée reaches its climax. The elderly Princess Anna Drubetskoya grabs Prince Vasili Kuragin's hand as he attempts to leave. She will not let go and the Aristocrat knows he is going to be asked for a big favor. Princess Anna lost all her societal connections but has one card to play. She knows early in Prince Vasili's life, he was helped by her father. She reminds Vasili of that in effort to get her son Boris a position with the Imperial Guard and also as an adjunct to the historic General Mikhail Kutuzov. Kutuzov was a great military leader and one of his virtues was patience. The impassioned appeal works and Vasili will take up her son's cause.For those who haven't left, the talk centers around Napoleon. The hostess feels the powers of Europe are bound to stop him and a French exile, the Vicomte de Mortemart leads the choir against Bonaparte, the "Usurper."Napoleon has his admirers, namely two main characters of the book, Pierre and Prince Andrei. The Prince handl

Anna's reception is full swing. As Tolstoy says, "The spindles hummed steadily and ceaselessly on all sides." The patrons settle into a number of groups and discuss how an alliance is needed to stop Napoleon and that Russia should head it. The beautiful Hélène gets a chance to walk between the groups and turn every head. A French expatriate, the Vicomte de Mortemart, told a tale about Napoleon ordering the killing a rival. The Vicomte explained that it was a romantic rival, but historically it was a political rival from France, Louis Antoine de Bourbon, Duke of Enghien, who was generally regarded as a threat to the Republic. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky arrives and is not happy to see high society, nor his lovely wife, who is pregnant.  He announces he will be heading to war as an aide-de-camp to General Kutuzov.  Andrei is very happy, however, to see old friend Pierre Bezukhov. The two agree to break bread after the event. Both acknowledge the loveliness of Hélène.

Attendant to the Empress, Anna Pavlovna Scherer, is proud to have some of St. Petersburg's finest in her drawing room.Princess Hélène Kuragina is strikingly gorgeous. Little Princess Lise is upset her husband, Price Andrei, has joined the Coalition against Napoleon. She is pregnant with their first child and worried about becoming a widow. Little groups are forming and discussing the topics of the day, such as alliances and the latest plans for a lasting peace. Pierre Bezukhov then arrives. Pierre (not the most Russian of first names but one that is aristocratic) has returned to Russia from about a decade studying abroad, including spending time in France. Pierre believes himself to have been enriched of the ideals of the French Revolution and aftermath. Pierre is the illegitimate son of a prominent Count in Russia, who is quite ill.  The Count holds many estates that are as big as actual states in the U.S.. Pierre struggles to get in conversations and make his point known -- something Tolstoy notes -- yo

This episode provides analysis of Book 1, Part 1, Chapter 1. Podnotes by Sean Roman are intended as a study guide and to provide context to the great work by Leo Tolstoy.Chapter 1 introduces the antagonist, Napoleon, who is being discussed at an evening soirée as a threat to all Europe. The hostess, Anna Pavlovna Scherer, an unmarried socialite, around 40 years of age, posits that only Emperor Alexander can save Europe from the legendary general.  An early guest arrives, the Count Vasili Kuragin, who turns the conversation to something more relatable, his unmarried children. There is the beautiful Helene, the prodigal Anatole, and the dull Hippolyte. Anna proposes to be matchmaker for Anotole, who has the reputation of a playboy. Anna believes that Princess Mary, the soulful daughter of old General Nicholas Bolkonsky would be a perfect match. As Princess Mary is rich and from a good family, Count Vasili is encouraged by the idea.

Thank you for giving this project a chance. The goal is for it to supplement your reading of War & Peace with commentary and context. Each episode usually summarizes a chapter. The episode descriptions will also provides information on how each chapter plays out. Each episode is expected to remain under 10 minutes. A few may be a tad longer but 10 minutes is the goal.  These are Cliffnotes on a podcast, hence Podnotes. This introduction provides some of the motivation for attempting this Herculean effort: namely, this is the fictional book that stands above all others in its profundity. It is like the top part of the pyramid on the back of a dollar bill, somehow rising above, and standing apart from, all other literary works of man.This introduction also provides a quick background on Tolstoy and how his aristocratic background and military experience at the Battle of Crimea likely informed War & Peace.