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PODCAST

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

A chapter by chapter guide to Tolstoy's War & Peace. These are Summaries/Cliffnotes on a podcast, hence Podnotes. It is best used as a supplement to your reading of the classic.The episodes and descriptions will provide information, context and commentary on each chapter -- and will likely take a lifetime to complete. The goal is for each episode to come in under 10 minutes. The original work fluctuates between French and Russian and there are multiple English translations of War &

history spirituality

All Episodes

11:14

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 20: The Immortal Captain Tushin

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/08/12

The infantry regiments caught unaware scattered in the woods amidst the French assault. Soldiers shouted, “Cut off!” - a most dangerous sentiment. “Surrounded?! We’re lost!” was the collective reply.The General realized something that he, an officer of 22 years, would be held responsible. He forgot his standoff with the cavalry colonel. Tolstoy notes, “The moment of moral conviction, which decides the fate of battles had arrived. Would his soldiers attend to the desperate voice of their

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9:36

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 19: Nicholas Displays the Courage...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/07/20

Tushin’s battery managed to set fire to Schöngrabern, which delayed the advance of the French, who were occupied putting out fires. The left flank —which consisted of the Azóv and Podólsk regiments as well as the Pávlograd hussars, tried to attack but were stymied by superior forces under Gen. Lannes. Bagration sent Zherkóv to the general commanding the left flank with orders to retreat. Zherkóv, who Andrei once chastised for unprofessionalism, made the decision to deviate from duty but give

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6:15

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 18: Blood Spilled at Schöngrabern

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/06/29

The Battle of Schöngrabern intensifies upon Murat’s breaking of the truce and resultant barrage of cannon fire. General Bagratión and his contingent reached the highest point of the right flank then rode down to where musketry was heard. On account of smoke, they could barely see. They quickly encountered wounded. One man was dragged by two soldiers after a bullet pierced his throat. He was gurgling and spitting blood. Another walked aimlessly, groaning while swinging a limp arm. Blood streamed

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9:57

Bk. 1, Pt.2, Ch. 17: How Dependent is Victory on Will?

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/05/27

Andrei examined the position of the French, focusing on a puff of smoke from the cannon that fired. Two mounted Frenchmen galloped up the hill while a small column headed down to strengthen their front line. Another puff appeared and it was clear - the Battle of Schöngrabern had begun!A messenger just arrived with Bonaparte’s stern letter and Murat, humiliated, moved his forces to attack the center and outflank both Russian wings, hoping for a quick victory before Napoleon's arrival. Andrei was

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9:35

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 16: Death, the Strangest Fear of Men

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/05/17

This episode initially exams the lead-up to the Battle of Schöngraben. Murat and Lannes had led the capture of Vienna. However, Vienna was a symbolic prize as it was taken at the cost of pursuing Kutuzov and crushing his army. Murat moved on towards the Austrian town of Hollabrunn to cut the Russian line of retreat and prevent them from reaching Znaim (Znojmo - a Czech city). Kutuzov was ultimately headed toward Olmutz (Olomouc – another Czech city). If Kutuzov could remain on the front-foot, he

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21:31

Bonus: Interview with Prof. Mikaberidze (3 of 3)...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/04/11

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 bishoprics. The Emperor was elected by nine rulers of the more influential states. From the 16th Century

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11:20

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 14-15: Murat's Reticence Infuriates...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/04/04

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 decimated. The idea was to march rapidly and fortify a position, engage the French, once again allowing

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15:40

Bonus: Interview with Prof. Alexander Mikaberidze...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/03/17

For those picking up War & Peace, figuring out the context of this era is a challenge. This episode is a great resource on the initial stages of the War of 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, Switzerland, and various parts of Italy. Spain was also a junior partner of France. Napoleon was pushing for a

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20:47

Bonus: Interview with LSU History Prof. Alexander...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/03/09

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 balls in Crimea.Professor Mikaberidze notes Kutuzov, as a young man, was serving in the Danubian

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12:04

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 13: Andrei reflects on Kutuzov's scars

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/02/24

Andrei embarks on his mission to “save the army,” by getting back to Kutuzov. He secures a Cossack horse and attendant and travels from Brünn to Krems. He finds himself among thousands of soldiers, who are weary. The roads were jammed with carts, horses and carriages. Soldiers found themselves deprived of food, supplies and weapons promised by the Austrians. This led to a situation where soldiers would ravage the countryside and return from local villages with plunder.The road remained a mess much

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13:53

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 12: Jean Lannes Takes The Tabor...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/02/01

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? and..At what time was General Schmiddt killed? Francis spoke as if it was his aim to ask questions...with

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8:36

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 11: Les Nôtres in Das Heiliges...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/01/26

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 basically wherever the Emperor decided to be.Andrei is dressed in ceremonial uniform and enters Bilibin’s

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10:45

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 9b-10: Andrei reaches Brünn, the...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2024/01/14

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 bullet and his horse was shot. He replayed the details of the battle and reflected on his own

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8:48

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 9a: Chased towards Vienna (through...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/12/31

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’s mastery at Ulm, where around 25K Austrians surrendered after a brilliant encircling

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10:29

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 8: Nikolai's Baptism By Fire

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/11/26

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 significance. He wrote:“One step beyond that line, which is like the bourne dividing the living from the

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7:33

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 6-7: Prince Nesvitsy & the Bridge

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/10/29

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 not far from where the Enn flows into the Danube.Among the artillery guns was Prince Nesvitsky, who was

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6:37

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 5: A Matter of Honour (for Nikolai)

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/10/09

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 integrity of his Hussars. The Colonel desires to avoid a green officer like Rostov publicly accusing a

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13:44

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 4: Capt. Denisov's Money is Stolen

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/09/25

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” meaning “Town of Paul.” The “Hussar” designation stems from the hussar units of Serbia and Hungary in the 15th

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15:55

Bonus - Second Epilogue, Chapter 4: Power as...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/09/03

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 step forward {meaning an understanding of history can’t be approached} until there is a return to belief

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9:13

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ep. 3: Napoleon's Mastery at Ulm,...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/08/25

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. Kutuzov uses a correspondence of the Archduke to demonstrate his exhausted men are not needed, as the

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