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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

11:20

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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9:56

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ep. 2: Timohin & The Siege of Izmail...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/07/27

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 the Austrians should have replaced. He points this out...diplomatically. Kutuzov graciously stops to

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9:36

Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 1: Arrival at Braunau, Austria

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/07/05

Part 2 of Book 1 takes place in the forests outside Braunau, in the Archduchy of Austria, and close to the conflict engulfing Europe.Thousands of soldiers from the Russian Empire marched 700 miles eastward to link up with their Austrian allies. Commanding them is General Mikhail Kutuzov. Focused on is the Third Company of the Semyonovsky Regiment of about 2,000 men. They are camping near Braunau and are quite the curiosity to the locals. The troops are naturally exhausted. However, they are

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27:41

Recitation: Book 1 Part 1 (Chapters 1-25)

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/06/27

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 Catherine the Great (r. 1762-1796) with fictional characters such as Count Kirill Bezukhov (the first character

en-US

10:21

Bk. 1., Pt.1., Ch. 25: Death Before Dishonor

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/05/30

Prince Andrei is about to set out to become aide-de-camp to General 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 his (fictional) father participated in. They also highlight the legacy Andrei feels pressured to live up to. Ochokov is presently named Ochakiv and is on the

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10:29

Bk. 1, Pt. 1, Ch. 24: Where Have All the Potemkins Gone?

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/04/28

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, the old General invites his architect (considered a servant) to dine with him. This appears to be an

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9:34

Bk. 1, Pt. 1, Ch. 23: Marlborough Man (Off to War;...

War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide ·

2023/04/05

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.West of Moscow, this involved partitions of Poland, which was split between Russia, Prussia and

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