Summary volume 2. Critics' opinions on the novel "War and Peace"

This volume shows the life of the public just before Patriotic War, namely 1806-1811. This volume shows and reveals the relationships between the characters, all their feelings and experiences. The topic of fathers and children is raised, of course, how can it be without friendship and love, the search for the meaning of life is shown. The author very accurately depicts in the novel what the characters feel in their souls, shows their own “war and peace.”

Part 1

Chapter 1

Nikolai Rostov came to Moscow on vacation. But he was not alone; Denisov, who was a squadron commander, was traveling with him and he was going to Voronezh, but Rostov was able to persuade him to come visit them in Moscow.

Before they had time to stop near the Rostovs’ house, Nikolai, without hesitation, jumped out of the sleigh and headed into the hall. His family and friends were waiting for him here. What was Natasha worth, she jumped and squealed from the joyful meeting. Sonya was also nearby, she held his hand and was all beaming with happiness, looking into Nikolai’s eyes. Sonya is already 16 years old, she has grown very beautiful girl. Nikolai looked at Sonya with gratitude, but still he was waiting for someone else. And then very fast steps were heard outside the door, but he could not even think that it was his mother, but it was actually her.

The mother came up to Nikolai and pressed herself to his chest, crying. Meanwhile, Denisov entered the room, but no one paid attention to him for the first seconds. And he admired such a tender meeting with a smile. But then the family noticed him too. Natasha joyfully jumped up to him and kissed him. Of course, everyone was confused by her action, and Denisov too, but he simply smiled.

The next morning, Natalya approached Nikolai and asked him to henceforth address Sonya as “You”. But she will always love him anyway, but he, in turn, can feel free. Nikolai decided that this was even very good.

When he met Sonya in the living room, he simply kissed her hand and addressed her as she asked. Sonya showed with her eyes that she was asking for forgiveness for not telling him about his promise and thanking him for his love. He, in turn, was grateful to her for her freedom and also said that he could not help but love her.

Denisov appears in the living room. He looks dapper, just as he always does, and an amiable gentleman in his interactions with the ladies, which came as a surprise to Rostov.

Chapter 2

Nikolai, who returned from the army, was accepted by society as one of the eligible bachelors, and his relatives greeted him with warmth. He is overwhelmed by bachelor life and entertainment, and he completely forgets about Sonya. All this seems childish to him. At the very beginning of March, the Rostov family planned a dinner to receive Bagration. Moreover, in Moscow they preferred to remain silent about the defeat near Austerlitz. But when everything calmed down, only then did they begin to say that the reasons for the defeat were the betrayal of the Austrians and the incompetence of Kutuzov; there were even arguments about the inexperience of the emperor himself. But still the army was praised, but Bagration was considered a hero. But they completely forgot about Bolkonsky.

Chapter 3

On March 3, the planned dinner did take place, with 300 people present. Those invited were: Denisov, Rostov, Dolokhov, Bezukhov with his wife Helen, Shinshin and many noble gentlemen Moscow.

Then Bagration himself, whom everyone had been waiting for for so long, entered the hall. He felt very insecure. He was more accustomed to walking on a field strewn with bullets than on a polished parquet floor. Of course, everyone greeted him with joy and took him into the living room, where he was presented with a silver saucer with poems. He felt extremely uncomfortable and awkward. But only half of the poem had been read when food began to be served.

Chapter 4

Pierre Bezukhov was sitting at the table opposite Dolokhov. And he was oppressed by the thought that he was the lover of his wife Helen. Moreover, the gossip was supported by a morning letter, in which the author wrote how it was that the man did not see the obvious. At first he refused to believe it, but when he saw Dolokhov, he thought that it might well be true. Pierre remembers how Dolokhov came to his home and stayed overnight. He even lent him money, and Helen smiled and expressed her joy. But Fyodor cynically praised the beauty of his wife.

But suddenly Dolokhov proposes a toast at the table “To the health of beautiful ladies and their lovers.” This infuriated Pierre, and he called him a scoundrel, challenging him to a duel.

Denisov asks Rostov not to interfere in this dispute, but as a result he becomes Dolokhov's second. Pierre goes home, and Dolokhov, Denisov and Rostov spend the whole night at the club. Dolokhov is calm.

Chapter 5

The next day, at 8 o'clock in the morning, a duel took place. Bezukhov was absent-minded and troubled by two thoughts. One was the guilt of his wife, and the other was that Dolokhov may not be guilty.

But, nevertheless, he did not apologize, because he believed that it didn’t matter anymore. Here they gave the command to converge. Pierre had never held a pistol in his hands before that day. He didn’t even take aim, but still wounded Dolokhov, and the second one last bit of strength fired, but missed.

Rostov and Denisov took him home, where they learned that Dolokhov was with his mother and sister. He was the most gentle and caring son and brother.

Chapter 6

At night, Pierre constantly thought about how he became such a person who went to shoot himself. And he found the only justification for this: his marriage was made under pressure, he thought that he was in love, but in fact he was mistaken. He decided to go to St. Petersburg because he could not be under the same roof with Helen. But he will leave her a letter, where he will definitely write why he wants to break up with her.

In the morning, Helen came into his room and asked the only thing he wanted to prove to her with his duel. She was annoyed that he believed this gossip and made her a laughing stock throughout Moscow. To which he told her that they needed to break up. She agreed, but on the condition that he leave her fortune. But he was furious and, grabbing a marble board from the table, swung at it.

He started screaming very loudly. Helen got scared and ran out of the room. A week later, Pierre handed over her power of attorney for all his estates, and he himself left for St. Petersburg.

Chapter 7

Two months passed since the defeat in the Battle of Austerlitz was announced, and also that Prince Andrei was killed. His father, of course, believed in Andrei’s death, but Marya still hoped for his return. But it was decided not to say anything to the younger princess until she gave birth. The prince tried to live as before, but every day his strength left him.

Chapter 8

Since the morning of March 19, Lisa said that she was not feeling well. They decided to send for a midwife, who had already been living in Bald Mountains for a whole week. But Lisa was against it. Childbirth has begun. No one slept on the estate. But at night Prince Andrei arrived from St. Petersburg with the doctor. Marya didn’t believe in it, she just didn’t think that this miracle could happen. But it was Andrei, emaciated, pale, with anxiety on his face. He went to Lisa.

Chapter 9

Lisa was already relieved of her suffering, and she smiled joyfully. She was not at all surprised by Andrei's appearance. And as soon as the agony began again, the midwife asked him to leave.

He went into the next room, from where he heard groans. But suddenly there was a scream and silence. Then he heard the cry of a child and then the thought flashed through his head, why they had brought him there. But when he came to his senses, he realized that this was his child.

He began to cry and went in to Lisa. She was motionless, in the same position in which he had seen her a few minutes ago. She died. And in the corner, a squeak was heard and someone small was in the hands of the midwife.

Two hours passed, and Andrei came to see his father, but he knew everything and simply hugged his son by the neck and began to cry.

Three days later she was buried, and Andrei’s friend felt empty, as if something had been torn away from him, he felt guilty, but unfortunately, he could not fix anything.

Chapter 10

The fact that Rostov participated in the duel between Dolokhov and Bezukhov was quickly hushed up, and Nikolai became an adjutant to the Moscow governor general. He did not go to the village to visit his relatives, and was in Moscow all the time. Dolokhov recovered, and during this time Nikolai became very close to him.

Chapter 11

The Rostov family collects lunch on the third day of Christmas. It was attended by Nikolai, Dolokhov and Denisov. They were going to go to serve immediately after Baptism. Then Nikolai learns from his sister that Fyodor proposed his hand and heart to Sonya, but received a negative answer. She explained that she loved another person. Natasha knows very well that there will never be a wedding between Nikolai and Sonya. And Nikolenka himself says that he loves Sonya with all his heart, but she should think about the proposal.

Chapter 12

There will be a ball at Yogel's. Natasha is happy and in love with those around her. Sonya remained proud of herself that she was able to refuse Dolokhov. And Natasha is invited to dance by Denisov and is completely immersed in the atmosphere of the dance. Upon completion, everyone admires them.

Chapter 13

After this, Dolokhov sent Nikolai a note in which he wrote that he could no longer come to visit them and was leaving to serve. He invites him to a farewell dinner.

Chapter 14

Nikolai comes to Fedor and finds him playing cards. Dolokhov invites him to play, Nikolai agrees. He loses over and over again. And Fedor set the condition that the game would continue until Nikolai lost 43 rubles. That's exactly what happened, Rostov lost.

Then Dolokhov begins to ask when he will repay the debt, Nikolai flared up and said that he could not pay, but would give him the bill. Dolokhov said with mockery, whoever is not lucky in cards is lucky in love and began talking about Sonya. But Nikolai flatly replied that his cousin had nothing to do with this and that tomorrow he would receive his money.

Chapter 15

Nikolai arrives home gloomy, but after hearing Natasha’s wonderful singing, he catches himself thinking that he can steal or kill, but still remain happy. Then his father appears, and Nikolai informs him of his loss. Of course, he scolds himself for this, knowing the already deplorable situation of his father and asks him for forgiveness.

But then Natasha runs in and tells her mother that Denisov invited her to become his wife. The Countess was shocked by this and advised him to refuse. But Natasha feels sorry for him and then the Countess herself tells the young man that her daughter is still very young.

Chapter 16

The next day, Nikolai sees Denisov off, but he himself remains to wait for the money and stays in Moscow for another two weeks. Sonya is very tender and devoted to him. She seemed to be pointing out that losing was a heroic act, and she respected him for it. On the contrary, he felt unworthy of her. In the end, he sends all the money to Dolokhov and receives a receipt, and then leaves in November to serve in the army in Poland.

Part 2

Chapter 1

After Pierre explained himself to his wife and left for St. Petersburg, he had a mental crisis. He began to think about life and death, about what is worth living for. But he was afraid to die.

Chapter 2

On the way to St. Petersburg, he meets an elderly man, who turns out to be a freemason Bazdeev. He told him that he did not believe in God, and he responded by telling him that he simply did not know God, and this was the reason for his unhappy life. And he begins to preach the ideas of Freemasonry to Bezukhov. Pierre believes his words and he seems to have a feeling of renewal, peace and returns to life.

Chapter 3-4

Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, Pierre begins to seriously delve into Freemasonry and reads a lot of books. He enters the fraternity of Freemasons, where its members believed that he needed to make peace with his wife. But he cannot agree with this and decide to leave for his estate, where Helen lives.

Chapter 5

Prince Vasily comes to Pierre. He begins to convince him that Helen is not to blame for what Pierre accuses her of. Vasily is trying to persuade him to measure himself against Helen, otherwise Pierre may suffer from this. He doubts the correctness of his decision. He gets angry with the prince and kicks him out, and a week later he returns to his estate.

Chapters 6-7

Helen arrives in St. Petersburg. Here she is greeted well and is not reproached for anything, but on the contrary, Pierre is scolded. An evening is planned at Madame Scherer's, and, of course, Boris Drubetskoy is present. He now served as an adjutant to a serious man. He does not remember very well the Rostov family house and Natasha. He is interested in Helen, he invites her to visit. Now they are close friends and are often at her house.

Chapter 8

But the war continues and is almost approaching the Russian borders. Prince Bolkonsky is appointed commander-in-chief of one of the eight militias. And now he is constantly on the road.

Chapter 9

Princess Marya devotes all her time to little Nikolushka, as Nikolai Andreevich named him. She replaces the boy's mother. After Andrei returned, his father gave him Bogucharovo, which is located about 40 miles from Bald Mountains and he lives separately from it. After the battle of Austerlitz, he decided not to return to service, but to focus only on raising his son. After all, he is the only thing he has left. He still feels guilty about his wife's death.

Chapter 10

After Pierre was accepted into the Masonic brotherhood, he and the leadership had to go to Kyiv.

Arriving there, he called all the managers and spoke about his intentions. He said that the peasants would be released, but there would be no corporal punishment against them, only exhortations. And also every estate should have a hospital, school and shelter.

But the chief executive says that transformations are good, but things need to be done that are in a deplorable state. But Pierre lacked value because when he started a new business, he thought that it was not moving forward. But the manager tried to benefit from all the innovations. He followed some instructions that were supposed to deceive him. Pierre began to travel around his estates, and this had a great effect on him. On some estate they asked for bread and salt, on another they asked to build a church, and on a third they actually met him with a priest who taught the children to read and write.

But Pierre didn’t even know that women had it even harder now, and rich men had already begun to build the church. He also did not know that the priest collected large taxes, which many simply could not afford. The manager is simply deceiving the naive sheep.

Chapter 11

When Pierre was returning from his trip, he decided to visit his friend, Bolkonsky. He didn't see him for about two months. Of course, he noticed all the changes that happened to him. He became affectionate and smiled, but his gaze was dead. Pierre is not yet used to seeing him like this. They talked about the past and shared plans for the future. Pierre was embarrassed to express his views.

While having lunch, they talked about Pierre's wedding, but Andrei was very surprised by this news. Bezukhov said that he was grateful that he did not kill a man in a duel, to which Andrei replied that it is very difficult to determine where the truth is and where there is a lie, justice and carelessness.

And now his main goal is to avoid these evils. But Pierre did not agree with him and began to tell him about empathy and love for one’s neighbor. But Andrei just smiled at this and said that Pierre has a lot in common with his sister.

Then they began to talk about the peasantry. And Bolkonsky’s position was that they do not need to help them get rid of their animal state, because for them this is happiness, and Pierre deprives them of this.

Chapter 12

In the evening they went to Bald Mountains. Andrey showed the fields and talked about his improvements in the farm. And Pierre again began to tell him about Freemasonry. While talking, they drove up to a river that had overflowed and could only be crossed by ferry.

Andrey looked at the surface of the water. Despite the fact that Pierre knew that Andrei was an atheist, he still began a conversation about death and God. But the prince said that now he believes in the existence of the Lord. To which Pierre told him that if there is a God, then there is a future, truth, virtue, and, accordingly, the highest happiness of man.

Andrei sighed and looked at Pierre. When he got off the ferry, he looked at the sky for the first time since the battle, and at that moment youth and joy awoke in him, as in the old days.

But this feeling once disappeared, but Andrei was sure that it still lived in him. The meeting with Pierre became the point that served as the beginning of a new life.

Chapter 13

They arrived at the house when it was getting dark. Andrei's father was in the city and they were waiting for him. Andrei took Pierre to his sister, who was with God's people. She was embarrassed in front of her charges. Andrei treats this hobby of hers with ridicule.

She, of course, was delighted at Pierre's arrival, she had known him since childhood and her relationship with him was positive. With her radiant gaze, she seemed to ask him not to laugh at these people. Pierre had never met them, so he listened very carefully to their stories. Somewhere around ten o'clock the prince arrived, who was in a good mood.

Chapter 14

Only after Pierre arrived in Bald Mountains was he able to understand the full value of friendship with Andrei. All this was expressed in relations with him and his family. He felt comfortable around them, as if he were with old friends. Marya treated him very well, and even little Nikolenka reached out to him with her childish hands.

After Pierre left, everyone in the family began to talk about him, as happens in families after the arrival of a new person.

Chapter 15

Nikolai Rostov returns to his regiment. He decides what will happen good friend, an officer, and just wonderful person. He is slowly repaying his debt to his parents. The Russian army is located near Bartenstein. But the soldiers are starving, which is why they often get sick. The Pavlogradsky regiment lost many people. Appears in spring new disease. Many doctors suggest that the whole reason lies in the root of the grass that the soldiers eat.

Chapter 16

Denisov picks up a transport with food that was intended for the infantry regiment. This food is enough to feed all the soldiers, but he is still called to headquarters in order to hush up the matter. He returns furious because the commissar in charge of provisions is Velyatin. The headquarters opened a case against him. But he is wounded and ends up in the hospital.

Chapter 17

After some time, Nikolai Rostov goes to the hospital to check on his comrade. Immediately on the stairs, he smells rot and meets a doctor who warns him that it is not at all safe here, as there is typhus. Many wounded simply cannot stand it and die within a week.

Chapter 18

Rostov became interested in Denisov, to which he was told that he had been transferred to the officer wards. But he recognized another person, it was Tushin, his arm was amputated in the hospital.

When Nikolai arrived, he was still sleeping, although it was already twelve o’clock. He was glad to see his friend. Despite the fact that his wound was not serious, it still has not healed. Denisov did not ask about the regiment and did not want to listen to Nikolai’s stories about the service.

Denisov showed him the paper from headquarters and the response to it. One of the patients said that it was time for Vasily to forgive the sovereign, but Denisov began to protest. Tushin also thought that he needed to be helpful, of course, Nikolai thought the same and was sure that the captain was right. But Vasily then nevertheless wrote a document addressed to the sovereign.

Chapter 19

Nikolai returns to the regiment and brings news about Denisov to the commander.

Chapter 20

Nikolai takes the paper and goes to Tilsit on Denisov’s case, this is where the meeting between the emperor and Bonaparte should take place. He immediately found Boris Trubetskoy and asked him to convey the petition through his channels. By the way, Trubetskoy served in the emperor’s retinue. But Boris did not take the letter, although he promised to try.

In the month of June, namely on the 27th, the first peace terms were signed. The rulers exchanged orders.

Rostov still tried to deliver the letter and even went to the house where the sovereign was staying, but he was not allowed there. But he met an acquaintance there, to whom he explained the whole situation and asked him to intercede for his friend. The general said that he felt sorry for the fellow and took the letter.

Chapter 21

Then the sovereign appeared on the stairs. The general who took the letter from Nikolai approached him, but Alexander answered loudly and clearly so that everyone could hear that the law was stronger than him and he could not do anything. Then he mounted his horse and rode away, and Nikolai, like many from the crowd, ran after him. Peace was signed in Tilsit, and Nicholas began to wonder why these wounds and deaths were needed. He had a lot of different thoughts that he just scolded and sometimes.

Before leaving, he stopped at the hotel to have lunch. Two officers sat down with him at lunch. Their world was not happy at all. But he just ate and was silent, without commenting on their conversation. Suddenly one officer began to look askance at the French and loudly talk about the actions of the sovereign.

Part 3

Chapter 1

Napoleon and Alexander unite in the war against Austria.

Andrei carries out the reforms that he planned to carry out on his estates. He begins to read a lot of books, becoming one of the most educated people. In the spring he goes to his son’s estate, which is located in Ryazan. He was driving without thinking about anything, when suddenly an oak tree caught his attention. And then he begins to think about life, about the fact that nothing is worth changing, because he must live out his life, not cause harm or pain to anyone and not regret anything.

Chapter 2

Bolkonsky goes to the Rostov estate on guardianship matters. A charming girl with black hair and eyes runs out to meet him. And when he saw her, he felt pain, because she was happy and she didn’t care about him. In the evening, before going to bed, he becomes an involuntary witness to a conversation between Natasha and Sonya. They talked about the beauty of the night. But Andrei was most worried that Natasha might say something about him, but, alas, they didn’t even talk about him. The girl is sent to bed, and Andrei has thoughts and hopes that run counter to his life.

Chapter 3

The next day, when he had decided all his affairs with the count, he went home and drove again through the clearing where he saw the oak tree. But only now he was transformed and green. Then he felt joy, and the thought flashed through his head that life did not end at 31. After all, now he knows everything that is in him.

Chapter 4-6

Andrey arrives in St. Petersburg and begins to lead a completely different life. He began to communicate with his friends and acquaintances again. They didn’t talk about it in society, they started to take an interest in it. Andrei visited Count Kochubey, where he saw Speransky. He is interested in his activities. In turn, Speransky invites him to visit. They talk a lot, for Bolkonsky he becomes an ideal.

Andrei is appointed head of the commission, which is responsible for writing regulations and laws for the army.

Chapter 7

Pierre Bezukhov goes to St. Petersburg. He began to feel sad again, it scares him. Pierre constantly sponsors and cares about society, but over time he becomes disillusioned. He goes abroad, where they open up for him higher mysteries Masons and are awarded a high title. When he returns to St. Petersburg, at the meeting he says that now it is simply necessary to act. All this leads to a break with the Freemasons.

Chapters 8-10

Pierre receives a letter from Helene, where she writes to him that she misses him very much and wants to meet him. Then he receives an invitation from his mother-in-law. He compares himself with Helen. He asked her for forgiveness, and immediately a feeling of happiness and joy appeared.

Now Helen took a very important place in the society of St. Petersburg. She has her own salon. In this situation, Pierre is a very worthy figure who should be with her. He wonders how everyone doesn't notice that she's stupid. He is also annoyed that Boris Drubetskoy is a frequent guest in their house.

Chapter 11

Things haven't gotten any better for the Rostovs, so they decide to move to St. Petersburg. The count has an acquaintance, Berg, who grew up career ladder. He invites Vera to become his wife and receives a positive response.

Chapters 12-13

Natasha turned 16 years old. Boris comes to visit the Rostovs. He is crazy about Natasha, because now in front of him is a grown-up good girl. He realizes that he has not cooled off towards her, but his interest has grown stronger. He began to visit Helen less often and began to spend more time with the Rostov family. But one evening Natasha talks to her mother about Boris and says that she doesn’t like him at all. The next morning, Natasha's mother talks to the guy, and he stops showing up.

Chapters 14-17

A New Year's ball will take place at one of Catherine's courtiers. The Rostovs are invited to this ball. For Natasha, this is her first ball, so she is worried. She really likes everything at the ball, her eyes sparkle. Alexander I is present at the ball, who opens the ball. Bolkonsky invites Natasha to dance and then he feels that he has come to life and become younger.

Chapter 18

After the ball, Bolkonsky realizes that there is something unusual in Natasha, not typical of St. Petersburg girls. He completely lost interest in government work. And once he heard Speransky’s laugh, which was forced, he immediately became disappointed in him, because he realized that he had no soul, and that he was not an ideal at all.

Chapter 19

Andrei comes to visit the Rostov family again. After the evening he feels very good and calm in his soul, but he has not yet realized that he is in love with Natasha. And then he remembers Pierre’s words about happiness, which you must believe in.

Chapters 20-21

Evening at the Bergs'. It was attended by Pierre, Boris, Andrey and Natasha. Pierre sees that feelings have flared up between Andrei and Natasha. But then Vera intervenes, telling Andrei that Natasha was once in love with Boris.

Chapter 22

Andrey is constantly with the Rostovs. Natasha tells her mother that she is in love with Bolkonsky, and has been since that moment in Otradnoye. Andrei shares with Pierre about his love for Natasha and his desire to get married.

There will be a reception at Helene's, but Pierre doesn't like it all. Bolkonsky shares with Pierre his thoughts that if someone told him that he would love so much, he did not believe it. Now for him the world is divided into two parts: one part is bright, happy, with hopes, and there is Natasha, and the other side is dark and gloomy, because Natasha is not there.

Chapters 23-24

Andrei asks his father to allow him to get married, but he says to postpone the celebration for a year. He tells Natasha that he intends to get married. She is happy, but upset that she has to be moved. Andrei says that their engagement is a secret and if after a year she has a desire to get married, then the wedding will take place. He comes to them every day and behaves like a groom. But then it happened that the need arose and Bolkonsky was forced to leave.

Chapter 25

Bolkonsky's father's health became very weak. He pours out all his anger on Marya. In winter, Andrei returns home, but he does not say anything about his feelings for Rostova. His sister sends a letter to Julie Kargina saying that she does not believe that Andrei has decided to get married. Her position is against this wedding.

Chapter 26

Andrey sends Marya a letter in which he writes about his engagement to Natasha. And asks her to ask her father to shorten the sentence. She gives it to her father, but he is furious. Marya dreams of leaving and forgetting about earthly problems, but is unable to leave her father and nephew.

Part 4

Chapters 1-2

Nikolai Rostov's parents ask him to come to Otradnoye, because their affairs have become even worse. The young man begins to do household chores, but soon realizes that he doesn’t understand anything. Nikolai sees that Natasha has changed in positive side, but he is not happy that the wedding was postponed.

Chapters 3-6

The Rostovs are going hunting. Nikolai unleashes the dogs on the wolf. But nevertheless, the serf Danila became a hero; he was able to defeat him with his bare hands. During the hunt, Nikolai meets Ilagin.

Chapter 7

Nikolai and Natasha go to visit their uncle in Mikhailovka. Their uncle was known as a noble and disinterested eccentric; he was offered many good positions, but he constantly did not agree to them. The uncle plays the guitar, and his playing inspires Natasha to sing and dance. The Rostovs are leaving for home, to Otradnoye.

Chapter 8

The financial affairs of the Rostov family are very bad. Therefore, the Countess is trying to marry Nicholas to a wealthy bride. She writes a letter to Julie Kargina and asks her about marrying Nikolai, to which she responds positively. But Nikolai is against this and begins to show interest in Sonya. The Countess is not happy.

Chapters 9-11

Christmas time. The Rostovs gathered together. Natasha is sad, she thinks that every day she is getting older and older, and when Andrei returns, she will not be the same. The Countess asks her daughter to sing. As she sings, her mother notices that there is something about her that makes her not happy. Rostovites are smart, they make decisions in suits, and they like visiting their neighbors in Melyukovka.

Chapter 12

The family returns to their estate. Nikolai understands that he does not want to part with Sonya. The girls are guessing. Natasha doesn’t see anything in the mirror, but Sonya thought she noticed Bolkonsky and something red and blue. Natasha is worried about her fiancé.

Chapter 13

Nikolai Rostov tells his mother that he wants to marry Sonya. But she doesn’t even want to hear about her son’s decision. She begins to scold Sonya. Mother and son are quarreling. But Natasha managed to avoid a scandal. We agreed that no one would harass Sonya, but Nikolai would not make any serious decisions without the consent of his parents. He is leaving for the regiment to put things in order. Having returned, he still intends to marry Sonya. Natasha, her father and Sonya are going to Moscow

Part 5

Chapter 1

Pierre lives active life, communicates in the company of bachelors. He has no desire to compromise his wife, so he goes to Moscow, where he is very well received. He also begins to read a lot.

Chapters 2-3

Bolkonsky's father goes with Marya to Moscow. It’s difficult for Marya here, because she doesn’t communicate with God’s people, she’s alone. Bolkonsky begins to get close to Marya's companion and takes care of her. The name day of Prince Bolkonsky Sr. took place, where he shares his opinion that the Russians will begin to win against Bonaparte when they stop interfering in the affairs of Europe and the Germans. But Rastopchin sees and says, France is an ideal.

Chapter 4

Boris often comes to the Bolkonskys, and Marya does not pay any attention to his courtesy. Pierre begins to ask her about Boris. Pierre asks Marya if she will agree with Boris’s proposal. Pierre is surprised by this answer. Marya is interested in Natasha. She says that she will try to make friends with her and win her over with her father.

Chapter 5

Boris comes to Julie Karagina. She is waiting for his proposal, but the young man is frightened by her ardent desire to get married. Anna Mikhailovna is trying to push her son to get married, because the girl has a good dowry. Boris proposes marriage to her.

Chapter 6

Natasha and her father, as well as Sonya, upon arrival in Moscow, stay with Natasha’s godmother. She promises to help with Natasha's dowry. She congratulates her goddaughter and says that it would be nice to visit the Bolkonskys in order to get positive attitude Andrey's family.

Chapter 7

Natasha and her father come to the Bolkonskys, but the girl does not like how they were received. It seemed to her that Marya was just doing a favor, and the prince came out to them in a dressing gown, citing that he did not know that they were coming. After this, the relationship between Marya and Natasha becomes even worse. Arriving at her godmother, Natasha cries.

Chapters 8-10

The Rostovs go to listen to the opera. Natasha reflects on what she feels for Andrey and considers this the main thing. Natasha also notices Helen and she is delighted with her beauty.

The opera begins, but Natasha noticed an adjutant in Bezukhova’s box; it was Anatole. He turns his attention to the girl. Natasha is invited by Helen to her box and introduces them to Anatole. She understands that the guy is not bad at all, even despite the many rumors, but it’s a little difficult in his company. And then she realizes that now her feelings for Andrei are not pure.

Chapter 11

Anatole arrived in Moscow in order to enter into a profitable marriage for himself and stayed with Helen. But not everyone knows the two-year story. Then he married a girl from a poor family, but soon divorced, sending her father money for her status as a single man. He talks with Dolokhov about Natasha.

Chapter 12

After Natasha visited the Bolkonskys and the theater, she is very worried that she has broken the promise she made to Andrei. Helen invites Natasha for the evening. Anatole asked her about this.

Chapter 13

Natasha, her father, Sonya go to Helen's for the evening. But Natasha is very uncomfortable there, it seems to her that she has found herself in some kind of crazy world. Anatole asks her to dance and confesses his love for her, and then kisses her. Returning home, she plunges into thoughts about love.

Chapter 14

Natasha's godmother says that she visited the Bolkonskys and advises the Rostovs to go to the village and wait for Andrei there. She gives Marya a letter, where she regrets and asks not to hold a grudge against her father. Kuragin immediately sends a letter to Natalya, where he says that he can no longer be without her and if she refuses him, he will arrange her abduction. She begins to think that she loves him.

Chapter 15

Natasha sends Marya a letter where she refuses Andrey. Then she sees Kuragin and tells Sonya that she wants to run away with him. But Sonya convinces her that she will ruin her life and tries in every possible way to prevent her escape.

Chapters 16-18

Anatole shares with Dolokhov about the escape plan, which also includes a wedding. But Boris dissuades him in every possible way, but Kuragin doesn’t even listen to him. Rostova's kidnapping goes wrong and Boris is the first to notice, so he helps Anatoly hide.

All of Natasha's plans became known because her godmother forces Sonya to tell everything. Natasha tells her that she wrote a refusal to Andrey. But the godmother decides to keep everything secret from Natasha’s father.

Chapters 19-20

Marya Dmitrievna calls Pierre. He arrives in Moscow, but tries not to meet with Natasha, because he thinks that his feelings for her are much stronger than they should be for his friend’s fiancee. She tells him that Natasha's kidnapping was foiled and her engagement to Andrei was broken off. And he asks to force Kuragin to leave Moscow, to which Pierre reports that he is married. Pierre finds Anatole at Helene's. He is simply furious and says that where they are there is debauchery everywhere. Pierre tells him to return all Natasha's letters and not to tell anyone about what happened. The next morning, Anatole goes to St. Petersburg.

Chapter 21

Natasha finds out about Anatole's status and wants to poison herself with arsenic. Pierre wants in every possible way to dispel all rumors and doubts about Rostova’s kidnapping. Andrei returns and his father gives him the letter. He asks Pierre to give all the letters and the portrait to Natasha. Pierre tries to remind him about the conversation about forgiveness. But Andrei says that he will never be able to forgive the betrayal. People in the Bolkonskys’ house are happy, and Pierre understands that the Rostovs were treated with contempt here and are now only happy about the discord between Natasha and Andrei.

Chapter 22

Pierre goes to the Rostovs, he feels pity and love for Natasha. Talking to her, he says that if he were not married, he would immediately ask for her hand. Pierre sees the comet of 1812, which portends something bad. But it seems to him that, on the contrary, this star corresponds to his kind, softened and blooming soul.

Results of the second volume

After reading the summary of this volume, you can understand that the author introduces the events that occurred in the lives of the heroes of the work, as well as the actions of history that are important for Russia. Shows that the heroes sense impending changes that will soon take place.

In October 1805, Russian troops occupied villages and towns of the Austrian Archduchy and surrounded the Braunau fortress, where the apartment of Commander-in-Chief Kutuzov was located. In one of the regiments, after a thirty-mile march, they are preparing for a review. The commander-in-chief is due to arrive, final preparations are underway. The regimental commander is happy with everything, but the soldiers’ shoes stand out from the overall idyllic picture: more than half of them have broken boots.

An adjutant from the main headquarters appears and reports to the regimental commander that the commander-in-chief ordered the soldiers to be presented without embellishment, as they made the transition, in overcoats and covers. The allies demand that Kutuzov immediately join the army of Archduke Ferdinand and Mack, so he decides to show in what deplorable condition the troops from Russia are arriving. In the ranks, among the soldiers in overcoats and covers, there is the demoted Dolokhov in an overcoat of a different color.

At the review, Kutuzov shows the Austrian general the situation of his soldiers. His adjutant, Prince Andrei, reminds him of Dolokhov, who asks to be given the opportunity to reform. Upon returning from the review, Kutuzov begins negotiations with the Austrian general in the presence of his adjutant. He recalls the decisive victory of General Mack, showing a letter from Archduke Ferdinand, in which he glorifies his achievements, and expresses the point of view that the Austrian troops no longer need the help of the Russians. The Austrian general does not like this opinion. He asks Kutuzov to draw up a memorandum from the reports of Russian spies.

During the war, Prince Andrei was transformed, everything indicates that he is in his place. The bored expression on his face, the indifferent look and the measured tone have disappeared; he is in good standing with Kutuzov, he is trusted with serious assignments. Kutuzov is friends with Andrei's father, in a letter he informs him that Andrei shows promise of being an officer, out of the ordinary in his knowledge, firmness and diligence. Kutuzov says that he is happy to have such a subordinate at hand. Fellow soldiers treat Andrei differently, many do not like him, consider him cold and arrogant, but at the same time, of course, they respect and fear him.

Suddenly Mack appears in the camp. The Austrians were defeated and surrendered their entire army at Ulm. Mack provides details of the defeat of the army. Prince Andrey understands that the Russian troops find themselves in an extremely difficult situation. He instantly imagines what awaits the army and him personally, trying to find a way out so as not to disgrace himself by losing to the brilliant Bonaparte. His classmate chuckles at the defeated Austrians. Andrei abruptly cuts him off, noting that they are not lackeys who do not care about the master’s business, but officers who serve their tsar and fatherland, rejoice in their common success and are sad about their common failure.

Nikolai Rostov serves in the Pavlodar Hussar Regiment. He reports to captain Denisov, Vaska Denisov, as he is called in the cavalry division. Together they live in best apartment in a village two miles from Braunau. One day, Denisov returns the next morning, upset after a big loss, and gives Rostov the chance to count the money he has left and put his wallet under his pillow. Officer Telyanin comes with him. He was transferred from the guard for misconduct. His co-workers clearly treat him poorly. Telyanin is left alone in the house for some time, and after he leaves it is discovered that his wallet has disappeared. Rostov offers Denisov a loan. Denisov begins to shake the orderly, but he is not to blame. Rostov knows this for sure, as well as who took the money. He goes to Telyanin, but does not find him: he has gone to headquarters. Rostov catches up with the thief on the way to headquarters, in a village tavern, and publicly accuses him of theft. He returns the money. Rostov throws his wallet to Telyanin. In the evening, officers discuss the incident. The regimental commander must respond to the public accusation of his officer of theft, but if he puts him on trial, the reputation of the entire regiment will suffer. Rostov is asked to apologize to the regimental commander, and then Telyanin will simply be expelled from the regiment, allegedly due to illness. In the end, Rostov agrees.

At this time, the newly arrived officer announces that Mack and his entire army have surrendered. A performance is scheduled for tomorrow.

Kutuzov's troops retreat to Vienna, burning bridges behind them. Having crossed the Enns River, the Russian troops join the commander of the rearguard with his retinue. The sent commander-in-chief, Nesvitsky, is also here. The general is dissatisfied with the delays at the crossing and sends Nesvitsky to hurry them up and remind them to light the bridge behind them. There is a crush on the bridge, enemy troops are shelling the crossing. Nesvitsky sees Denisov, who demands that the infantry clear the way for the squadron. The crossing was completed, only Denisov's squadron remained on the other side. Rostov is happy. Denisov wants to attack, but he is ordered to retreat.

It turns out that Nesvitsky mixed up the orders, as a result the bridge was not lit. The colonel orders Denisov's squadron to return back to the bridge. Rostov's happiness knows no bounds. He runs across the bridge, the enemy is heading towards him. The hussars manage to light the bridge. The French fire three times with grapeshot.

The thirty-five thousand strong Russian army is retreating. She is pursued by Napoleon with his hundred thousand retinue. Food is running out and allies cannot be relied upon.

The pace of retreat is increasing. Austrian troops separate from the Russians. Kutuzov is left alone with his army. It is impossible to defend Vienna with such a composition. The previous plan for the offensive campaign is crumbling. Now we must try with all our might not to destroy the armies and unite with the troops coming from Russia.

A few days later, Kutuzov moved with the army to the left bank of the Danube and defeated the French division. The soldiers are exhausted, but happy. During the battle, Prince Andrei is with the Austrian general Schmitt, who was killed. Andrei was also on the verge of death. The commander-in-chief entrusts him with an honorable mission - to bring news of victory to the Austrian court in Brunn. Andrey is riding in a post chaise. He is happy. At one of the stations he is overtaken by a convoy of Russians wounded in last battle. They are in a deplorable state. Andrey gives them three gold pieces.

Arriving at the place, Andrei appears before the Minister of War. He greets Bolkonsky indifferently and listens without enthusiasm to the news of victory. He believes that Shmit's death is too expensive a price to pay for victory. After the meeting, Prince Andrei feels disappointed; his happiness from the victory was destroyed by the indifference of the Minister of War. Andrei stays with his friend, the promising Russian diplomat Bilibin, who was in good standing in Vienna. He is an educated, hardworking and witty person. Prince Andrei tells him about how the reception with the Minister of War went. Bolkonsky is perplexed: after Mak lost an entire army, and Archduke Ferdinand and Archduke Charles did not show themselves in any way for a long time; after they made many mistakes, Kutuzov alone won a real victory, but the Minister of War did not even inquire about the details. Bilibin notes that no one cares about Russian victories. If Archduke Charles had defeated even a company of Bonaparte's fire brigade, then it would have been noticed. Besides, Vienna is already occupied, and Bonaparte is in Schönbrunn. “Do you think the campaign is over?” - asks Andrey. Bilibin replies that Austria has been left in the cold, this situation is unusual for her, so she will definitely repay. He says that he feels deceived - most likely, a secret agreement has already been concluded with France.

The next day, Prince Andrei goes to the palace of Emperor Franz. Meets with Prince Ippolit Kuragin, secretary of the embassy. Embassy employees are not interested in the war, but only in promotions and appointments. The Emperor gives Bolkonsky a separate audience, during which Andrei gets the feeling that he simply does not know what to talk to him about. Bolkonsky is awarded the Austrian Order of Maria Theresa, III degree, Kutuzov also receives a high order. Bilibin appears and reports that the French crossed without any resistance to the other side of the Danube, the bridge turned out to be unexploded. Prince Andrey goes to the army. On the way, she hears what a terrible situation she finds herself in, sees running soldiers, chaotic carts, hears screams and moans.

Having entered the village, Bolkonsky goes to see Kutuzov. He is in the hut with Prince Bagration and the Austrian general Weyrother, who was taken to replace Schmita. At the end of the negotiations, Kutuzov goes out onto the porch with Bagration, says goodbye, and blesses him for his feat. Tears are streaming down Kutuzov's face. Bolkonsky asks to leave him in the detachment of Prince Bagration. Kutuzov refuses, saying that he himself needs good officers, and at best, a tenth of Bagration’s detachment will return tomorrow.

The French army seeks to cut off the connection between Kutuzov's army and the troops coming from Russia. Kutuzov sends Bagration's four thousandth vanguard to cross.

His goal is to get ahead of the French and delay them. Hungry barefoot soldiers from the Bagrationov detachment make a forty-five-mile night trek through the mountains. A third of the army is lost, but they manage to arrive at the appointed place several hours before the French. Murat sees Bagration's weak detachment and makes a fateful miscalculation: he considered that this was Kutuzov's entire army, and proposed a truce for three days. Kutuzov has the opportunity to give Bagration’s exhausted detachment a rest and let his convoys go ahead, i.e., save the army.

However, Bonaparte saw through the deception and urgently sent an adjutant to Murat with a message.

Prince Andrei comes to Bagration - his request for inclusion in the detachment has been granted. Bolkonsky asks permission to go around the positions to find out the location of the troops. The fate of the officers is unenviable; soldiers drag doors, benches and fences from the village to the fires. Bolkonsky, with the staff officer accompanying him, enters the sutler’s tent. There are several people inside. The staff captain scolds Captain Tushin for not wearing boots. Tushin makes excuses, Andrei feels sympathy for him.

Prince Andrei travels further. There are naked soldiers around the fires. Suddenly Andrei sees one of them approach the French chain and quickly talk about something with the French grenadier. This is Dolokhov. Having traveled around the entire line of troops, Prince Andrei climbed to the battery, from which, according to the headquarters officer, the entire field was visible. This was Tushin's battery.

Bolkonsky understands that superiority is on the side of the French. In addition, behind the Russian position there is a steep and deep ravine, along which it is difficult for artillery and cavalry to retreat. Prince Andrei draws a plan for the deployment of troops in a notebook, according to which all artillery should concentrate in the center, and the cavalry should retreat to the other side of the ravine. He hears voices talking, one, very sincere, talks about death, saying that it would be possible to know what will happen after it, then no one would be afraid of it. This is Captain Tushin speaking.

A whistle is heard and a cannonball falls nearby. Andrei, together with Prince Bagration, returns to the Tushin battery. Another cannonball falls ahead of them. Captain Tushin commands the battery fire. Bagration sends an adjutant to the senior general to tell him to retreat as quickly as possible beyond the ravine. Everyone forgets about Tushin and his battalion. Prince Andrey realizes with amazement that Bagration creates the appearance that everything is going according to his agreement, but everything is run by chance and the people “appointed” by him. True, in the presence of Bagration, the commanders become calmer, and the soldiers and officers become more animated.

In battle, Bagration, dismounting from his horse, walks forward in front of the ranks, without giving any orders. Suddenly shots ring out between the French. The enemy ranks are disorganized. When the first shot is fired, Bagration looks around and shouts: “Hurray!” The attack leads to the retreat of the right flank. In the center, the action of Tushin's forgotten battery stops the movement of the French. Bagration sends an adjutant to the general of the left flank with orders to immediately retreat. He sets off, but as soon as he drives away, he feels an insurmountable fear. He began to deliberately look for the general and superiors where they could not be. The orders were not transmitted. While the battle is going on, the commanders of the left and right flanks quarrel, and the soldiers, not expecting a battle, calmly go about peaceful affairs. The French attack soldiers who were collecting firewood in the forest. The hussars were cut off from their retreat by a French chain.

The squadron where Rostov served was stopped facing the enemy. For a long time there was no Denisov’s command, finally it sounded and the attack began. A horse was killed near Rostov. The French surround him. He grabs the pistol, but does not shoot, but throws it at the Frenchman, and he himself runs into the bushes where the Russian riflemen are sitting. Rostov was wounded in the arm. Dolokhov distinguished himself in battle, was wounded, but remained in service.

At the very end of the battle the cannonade continues. This is Tushin's forgotten company. Bagration sends the staff officer on duty there and then Prince Andrei with the order to the battery to retreat as quickly as possible.

The cover stationed near Tushin's guns left on someone's orders in the midst of the battle. The battery itself continued to fire. The French did not take it only because they thought about a much larger number of guns. It was assumed that the main Russian forces were concentrated in the center, when in fact there were only four cannons.

The French deployed ten cannons to the right against Tushin's detachment. The Russians noticed the battery only after six shots. There were casualties: two horses were knocked over, the box leader’s leg was torn off. Tushin's friend was killed at the beginning of the battle; in an hour, out of forty servants, seventeen dropped out. However, despite this, the detachment continues to stand. Tushin is cheerful and is absolutely not afraid that he might be killed or injured. The headquarters captain arrives and shouts that he has already been ordered to retreat twice, then Prince Andrei brings the same order. The battery was destroyed and in terrible condition, but Prince Andrey remained, deciding that he would withdraw the guns from the position. They moved up the mountain with the surviving guns, and on the way Prince Andrei said goodbye to Tushin.

They attack Tushin with reproaches and remarks. He is upset and silent. On the way, he loaded the gun carriages with wounded. A pale Rostov, shell-shocked in the arm, comes up to him and, not for the first time, asks him to be imprisoned too. They put him in and somehow drive up to the village.

Tushin is summoned to General Bagration. He thanks some commanders and establishes losses. The regimental commander enthusiastically talks about what he wanted to do. In fact, this was not done. Bagration asks how two guns were abandoned in the center, but the staff officer on duty does not know this.

Tushin appears, hears Bagration’s question and experiences terrible guilt that he remained alive after losing two guns. He is reproached for having a cover; in fact, there was none, but Tushin is afraid of letting down the other boss and therefore remains silent. Prince Andrei stands up for him. He says that, having arrived at Tushin, he did not find cover, but two-thirds of the people and horses were killed, two guns were mangled; that the success of the battle was ensured primarily by the actions of Captain Tushin and his company. Bagration releases Tushin. He quietly thanks Prince Andrei.

Nikolai Rostov groans in pain, sees his relatives in his dreams and feels useless to anyone.

The next day, the rest of Bagration’s detachment joins Kutuzov’s army.

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1805, summer, St. Petersburg. The maid of honor Scherer, close to the empress, arranges a reception. Among the other guests are Pierre Bezukhov, the son of a wealthy nobleman born out of wedlock, and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. The guests' conversations revolve mainly around the figure of Napoleon. Andrei wants to fight and become as famous a commander as Napoleon. Pierre, unlike him, does not have any goal, preferring to kill time with his friends. Constant carousing with comrade Fyodor Dolokhov led to Pierre being expelled from St. Petersburg, and Fyodor being deprived of his officer rank.

Moscow, Rostov's house. The owner of the house himself, Ilya Andreevich, is a landowner with a very kind hearted. There is a holiday in the house: the name day of Countess Natalia and youngest daughter Rostov. Of all the children, only eldest daughter Faith. The eldest son Nikolai is preparing to go to war.

The action moves to the Moscow house of Count Kirill Bezukhov. This very influential and rich man dies. Among the family, unrest begins regarding the old man's inheritance. Kirill Vladimirovich drew up a new will, and relatives are making attempts to take possession of the treasured document, because according to it, the count bequeathed all his wealth to Pierre. Anna Drubetskaya, a lady from a noble family who has lost all her wealth, prevents the theft of the will. Pierre becomes a count and is accepted into best houses secular Petersburg. Prince Vasily Sergeevich Kuragin is trying with all his might to arrange a marriage with Pierre for his charming daughter Helen. In the end, Pierre and Hélène get married.

Andrei brings his wife Lisa to his father’s estate and leaves for the war himself, wanting with all his heart to become a hero. During the battle of Austerlitz he was seriously wounded. Nicholas also fights, and for his bravery in battle he is awarded the Cross of St. George.

War and Peace Volume 2

Nikolai Rostov goes home to Moscow on his first vacation. The city greets him like true hero. Knotted it strong friendship with Fedor Dolokhov. A young girl, Kirill Vladimirovich’s niece Sonya, also lives in the Rostovs’ house. Fyodor falls in love with her and asks for her hand in marriage, but the girl refuses, since she has already had feelings for Nikolai for a long time.

Nikolai's friend Vasily Denisov is fascinated by Natasha and proposes to her, but is refused. Vasily Kuragin, meanwhile, is thinking of marrying his stupid son Anatoly to Marya Bolkonskaya. Her father does not want kinship with the Kuragins, and Marya refuses Anatoly.

Prince Bolkonsky receives news about his son: he is not among the bodies of the fallen, and perhaps he is still alive. Andrey returns to Father's house right on the night when his wife Lisa is due to give birth. The princess dies during childbirth, and Andrei will feel guilty for her death all his life.

Pierre hears rumors about an unacceptable relationship between Helen and Dolokhov. The offended man challenged Fedor to a duel, where he severely wounded him. Having explained himself to Helen, he instructs her to manage his possessions and leaves the capital himself, going to Moscow. Disappointed in his life and people, Pierre ends up in Masonic lodge. It’s as if Bezukhov’s eyes have been opened, and, filled with good intentions and thoughts of goodness, he goes to his estates, planning to carry out a series of reforms. On the way back, Bezukhov visits Andrei Bolkonsky, all of whose worries revolve around his son. Andrei’s eyes have long faded; he no longer intends to serve. Things get started between friends long conversations about serfdom, the people's welfare, the future of the state. Andrei was enlivened by these conversations, and he freed three hundred souls from serfdom and organized literacy training for peasant children.

The officers, including Rostov, are dissatisfied with the truce between Russia and Napoleon.

Andrei goes to the Rostov estate on his business, where he becomes enchanted by Natasha. Later he goes to St. Petersburg, where he meets the reformer Speransky. Speransky captivated the prince with his speeches and ideas. Bezukhov also returns to the capital, disillusioned with the Freemasons.

Rostov comes to the capital, wanting to enter the service, as the family is having financial difficulties. Adolf Berg proposes to Vera Rostova. Drubetskoy, in love with Natasha, often visits the Rostovs, but the girl refuses him any communication. Bolkonsky completely falls in love with Natasha and proposes to her. The wedding is only due in a year, and for now he is going abroad. The Rostovs are upset about Nikolai’s feelings for Sonya: they were hoping for a profitable marriage rich girl in order to improve family affairs.

Natasha meets Anatole, who wants to secretly marry her, although he was already married. Andrey finds out about his fiancee's affair with Anatol and returns all the letters to the fiancee.

War and Peace Volume 3

1812, war begins. Bolkonsky wants a duel with Anatole. Younger son Petya Rostov wants to fight, and the count is looking for the safest place for him. Andrei tries in letters to convince his father and sister Marya to leave the estate, since the French are already close, and it would be safest to go to Moscow. The old prince dies from a blow, asking his daughter for forgiveness before his death. With the help of Rostov, Marya manages to leave the estate and go to Moscow.

Andrei fights on the battlefield again. He is seriously injured and in the hospital he sees Anatoly with amputated leg. Bolkonsky now feels love and compassion for yesterday’s enemy.

The Rostovs are going to leave Moscow, which should have been left to the French. Natasha persuaded her father to leave most property. Bolkonsky ended up with the rest of the wounded who traveled with the Rostovs from Moscow. Natasha looked after the prince.

Pierre refused to leave Moscow. He confesses to his friends his love for Natasha Rostova. In Napoleon he sees a harbinger of the Apocalypse and believes in his sacred destiny to kill Napoleon. In the city he has an altercation with French soldiers, robbing a family of civilians, and is arrested.

War and Peace Volume 4

St. Petersburg had its own flow normal life. Anna Scherer is hosting a reception again. The guests discuss the message of Metropolitan Plato to the emperor and the illness of Helen Bezukhova. It becomes known that Moscow was given to the French and burned to the ground. Napoleon proposes a truce, but Kutuzov is categorically against peace with France. The Emperor insists on an offensive and the Battle of Tarutino occurs.

The French leave Moscow and retreat. Kutuzov has no desire to smash a weakened enemy. He gives them the opportunity to leave Russia. The intrigues of ill-wishers are woven against Kutuzov, and the sovereign expresses to the commander his dissatisfaction with his indecisiveness and mistakes. Soon Kutuzov dies.

Nikolai Rostov meets Marya again in Voronezh. He drives away the newly emerging idea of ​​marriage with a rich heiress, since he has already made a promise to Sonya. Suddenly, Sonya, at the insistence of the Countess, writes a letter to Nikolai in which she refuses to marry him. Bolkonsky is located with the Rostovs in Yaroslavl. Princess Marya immediately goes to them and finds her brother in a terrible state: he is already sure of his imminent death. Natasha grieves greatly, and this sadness brings the two women closer together.

Petya Rostov is fighting. During the partisan attack on the French, Petya was wounded and died on the battlefield.

Bezukhov miraculously escaped execution. Instead, he was thrown into a barracks with other prisoners. Soon the detachment with prisoners was defeated by the Russians, and Bezukhov was released. Captivity undermined Pierre's health, and he fell ill. Meanwhile, news reaches him about the death of Helen, about the injury of Andrei Bolkonsky, and that the prince died only a month later. He leaves Orel for Moscow, where he immediately goes to Princess Marya. There he meets Natasha, who has withdrawn into herself after Andrei’s death. The girl is brought out of her numb state only by the news of her death. younger brother Petit. She spends almost a month next to her mother, becoming her support and support in this grief. Princess Marya wants to go to Moscow. Count Rostov insists that Natasha go with her. Natasha discovers feelings for Bezukhov.

War and Peace. Epilogue

In 1813, Natasha and Pierre Bezukhov got married. 7 years have passed. During these years, Count Rostov died. Nikolai resigns. As his father's heir, he assumes the old count's many debts. Together with the countess and niece, he lives in Moscow, renting a tiny apartment. His conversation with Marya Bolkonskaya takes place. To a young man the thought of an arranged marriage is disgusting, and at first he behaves very coldly with Marya. But soon, trusting each other, they get married. The newlyweds move to the Bolkonsky estate. Skillful housekeeping leads to the fact that Rostov soon pays off all its debts. Sonya continues to live in their house.

Soon Natasha comes to stay with them with the children. Following her, Pierre arrives from St. Petersburg with gifts for everyone. Bezukhov joined secret society and talks a lot with Nikolai and Denisov, who was also visiting Bald Mountains, about the necessary reforms and mistakes of the government. Rostov does not agree with the ideas of the secret society. At this moment, Nikolenka, the son of Andrei Bolkonsky, is present in the office with them. That night the boy dreams of a huge army, which he leads into battle. Waking up, the boy thinks a lot about his father.

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Summary War and Peace Volume 2

Part 1

In January 1806, Nikolai Rostov and Denisov came home on vacation. At home he is greeted as a hero, everyone is happy about his arrival and is very proud of him. Nikolai buys himself smart clothes, begins to visit entertainment venues and gets himself a woman whom he visits in the evenings, although he still loves Sophia, he believes that he should lead a “hussar” lifestyle.

The holiday and honor of Bagration begins in the house of Count Rostov, officers and all elite society, including Pierre Bezukhov. Pierre feels very lonely and unhappy at the holiday; he has long heard rumors that his wife started an affair with Dolokhov, and in the morning they brought him an anonymous letter in which they talked about Helen’s adventures. At the table, Pierre found himself opposite Dolokhov and tried not to pay attention to him, but Dolokhov does everything possible to anger Bezukhov: first he makes a toast: “to pretty women and their lovers,” and then snatches the cantata from Pierre and begins to read it loudly. Pierre loses his temper and challenges Dolokhov to a duel, this was a very decisive act, because Pierre never held a weapon in his hands and did not even know how duels go. The next morning they met in Sokolniki and Pierre wounded Fedor, but after a return shot he himself remained unharmed.

After the duel, Bezukhov comes home and thinks about his life and realizes that he does not love Helen and that she is a depraved woman who brings him nothing but misfortune. Helene agrees to a divorce with only one condition: if Pierre fully provides for her. Just to part with his wife, Bezukhov gives her most of his fortune.

Old Prince Bolkonsky receives a letter in which he is informed that his son may have died, since he is not among the wounded and supposed prisoners. One night, Lisa goes into labor and Prince Andrei unexpectedly arrives. He waits for the end of labor and, hearing the cry of the child, goes into the room to thank his wife for her son, but sees that Lisa has died.

Fyodor Dolokhov is appointed adjutant, although he should have been demoted for the duel, but the old Count Rostov made sure that the duel was forgotten. Dolokhov often visits the Rostovs’ house, everyone likes him except Natasha, who believes that he acted rudely to Pierre. Dolokhov woos Sonya, but she refuses him and tells him that she loves someone else.

At her first ball, Natasha makes a strong impression on everyone, she dances well and glows with happiness. Denisov spends the whole evening next to Natasha, he is delighted with her beauty and later invites Natasha to become his wife, she refuses him, and the countess says that her daughter is too young.

Dolokhov invites Nikolai Rostov to the club to have fun and play cards before leaving for the regiment. Rostov loses 43 thousand rubles to him, and explains that he cannot return such a large amount immediately, to which Dolokhov replies: since Sonya loves him, it means he is lucky in love, but unlucky in cards. Nikolai understands that in this way Fyodor took revenge on him for Sonya’s refusal to marry and promises to return the money in the coming days. After a conversation with his father, Nikolai receives the count’s consent to pay his son’s gambling debt.

Part 2

Pierre Bezukhov returns to St. Petersburg and along the way he meets Freemason Osip Bazdeev, who talks about God, the meaning of life and invites Pierre to join the Masonic society. The good-natured Bezukhov agrees, and in St. Petersburg he is accepted into the brotherhood, after which he leaves for his estate.

Helen attends all the parties, posing as an abandoned wife. Everyone sympathizes with her; they consider Pierre ill-mannered and unable to behave in society. In Anna Scherer's salon, Helen meets Drubetsky and makes an appointment with him at her home.

Prince Andrei decides no longer to serve in the active army, since he devotes all his time to his little son. But in order not to go to war, he takes the position of commander of the militia.

The Masons order Pierre to free the serfs and create for them normal conditions for life: build hospitals, schools and do not force women and children to work. Bezukhov gives orders to his managers, who turn everything to their own benefit. The chief manager has been robbing Pierre for a long time, deceiving him, saying that the peasants do not need to be freed, that they already live well, but in fact, all the villages have fallen into decay and the peasants are simply surviving in poverty. In the spring of 1807, Pierre again travels to St. Petersburg and on the way stops by to visit Andrei Bolkonsky. In a conversation with the prince, Pierre begins to talk about Freemasonry and what he is going to do for the serfs, but Andrei does not support his desire to free the peasants, considering all this unnecessary for them.

Nikolai Rostov returns to his regiment, which is in reserve. The hussars are very poor: they rarely receive food and they don’t even have anything to feed their horses. Denisov decides to get at least some provisions for the hussars and recaptures the food train that was intended for the infantry. Denisov is called to headquarters, where he learns that Velyatin did everything possible, that the hussars received food as little as possible. Unable to restrain himself, he beats Veal and soon receives a summons to court, but during the reconnaissance he is slightly wounded and goes to the hospital. Rostov comes to visit Denisov in the hospital and takes his petition for pardon to hand over to the sovereign.

Boris Drubetskoy becomes close to the royal retinue and participates in the meeting between Emperor Alexander and Napoleon, at which the terms of the Tilsit Peace are signed. Rostov comes to Boris with a request to help Denisov, but Drubetskoy at this time receives French friends and does not want to communicate with Nikolai, he simply promises to try to fulfill his request. Nikolai leaves, since he cannot see his enemies in a friendly conversation with Drubetsky, and goes to the emperor’s house, where he meets his old commander and gives him a letter from Denisov.

Part 3

In 1809, Bonaparte declared war on Austria, and the Russians fought on his side against their former allies.

Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, having lived in the village for two years, carried out all of Pierre’s plans: he freed the serfs, made life easier for the peasants, and even began to teach them to read and write. In the spring, he goes on guardianship matters over his son to the Rostov estate, where he meets Natasha. Her cheerfulness and fun amaze him so much that he seems to wake up and see that life is wonderful, and he doesn’t want to be alone anymore.

Boris Drubetskoy constantly visits Helen’s salon, and Pierre really doesn’t like their relationship, but he lives according to the laws of the Masons: he tries to improve himself, get rid of envy, gluttony, laziness and hatred. Drubetskoy still pursues only one goal, so that in order to achieve high position meet the right people in society.

The Rostovs have a very bad financial position, and although they lived on the estate for two years, they were unable to save money or improve their affairs. Berg asks Vera to marry him, and she agrees, since Vera is already 24 years old, and this is the first proposal that was made to her, the Count and Countess approve of the marriage, although Berg is not of a very noble family.

Drubetskoy pays a visit to the Rostovs and, after communicating with Natasha, begins to visit them as often as possible. The Countess reproaches her daughter for giving Boris hope in vain, because such a marriage is not beneficial for either her or him. The Rostovs need a rich son-in-law, and Boris is poor, and if he marries Natasha, his career will be over. Countess Rostova invites Boris to straight Talk and after that he stops visiting their house.

Before the New Year of 1810, the whole world gathers for a New Year's ball at one of the "Catherine's" nobles. Natasha came to such a place for the first time big ball very excited and enjoying dancing. Andrey is glad to see her, he remembers how she admired summer night, and catches himself thinking that he imagines Natasha as his wife. Bezukhov feels lost at the ball, because everyone considers him a negligent husband of such a beautiful wife as Helen. Natasha sees how unfair everyone is to Pierre and comes up to cheer him up.

Bolkonsky goes to his father to give his blessing for his marriage to Natasha. The old prince agrees, but on the condition that the wedding will take place in a year. Andrey shares good news with Pierre, who supports him in choosing a wife, and Andrei goes to the Rostovs to woo him. Natasha is happy, but her joy is overshadowed by the postponement of the wedding for a year. The engagement is not advertised, because Andrei does not want Natasha to be dependent, he is afraid that due to her youth she may change her mind.

In the Bald Mountains, Princess Marya raises her son Andrei and takes care of the old prince; she has become very devout. She often receives strangers, prays and thinks about going to holy places herself, but little Nikolai and her sick father keep her from such a journey.

Part 4

Countess Rostova writes to Nikolai in the army that he should come home and take care of business, since the count has neglected everything badly, and they are practically bankrupt. Nikolai returns and immediately kicks out the manager Mitka, who was stealing from them. The Countess finds a bill of exchange from Drubetskaya, but Nikolai tears it up, considering that it is rude to present it to them now, because they used to be friends.

In the fall, the entire Rostov family goes hunting with their uncle, and then stays overnight in his village. After dinner, the coachman begins to play the balalaika, and then the uncle takes the guitar and also plays, the true Russian soul awakens in Natasha and she starts dancing. The evening ends with Russian singing folk songs, and in the morning the Rostovs return home.

Nikolai decides to marry Sonya, which ruins all his mother’s plans: she is looking for a rich bride for him to improve matters, because a rich estate near Moscow has already been put up for sale. The Countess believed that Sonya was scheming behind her back and became ill from her worries. The Count went to Moscow, taking Natasha and Sonya with him, to try to somehow rectify the situation.

Part 5

Pierre Bezukhov is tired of leading a correct lifestyle, he begins to avoid the Masons, visits clubs, plays cards and has fun at balls and receptions. Old Prince Bolkonsky, together with Marya and little Nikolai, come to Moscow. Pierre comes to visit the Bolkonskys and tells Marya that Boris Drubetskoy is now also in Moscow and is looking for a rich bride, that he has two candidates in mind: Marya and Julie Kuragina, but he cannot make a choice.

Drubetskoy decided to try his luck with Marya first, but got very cold shoulder and became a frequent visitor to the Kuragin house. Whole month he could not overcome himself and propose to her, he did not love her and Julie seemed somehow unnatural to him, but Julie accelerated events: she began to flirt with Anatoly and Drubetskoy, afraid of missing out on a profitable match, confessed his love to her and received consent to marriage.

Count Rostov and Natasha pay them a visit, Marya meets them, but the prince does not want to meet with them. Natasha feels strong hostility, they are having a tense, meaningless conversation, and then the prince enters in a dressing gown, examines Natasha and leaves after apologizing. Natasha did not expect such a cold reception, she was very offended, she coldly says goodbye and leaves their house.

In the opera, Natasha meets Anatoly Kuragin and sees that he is delighted with her beauty, she is pleased with this and for the first time she does not feel any shyness. At home, she ponders her behavior and realizes that she is thinking about both Prince Andrei and Anatol. Helen comes to visit them and invites them to her masquerade ball, and secretly tells Natasha that Anatole has fallen in love with her. Marya Dmitrievna, with whom the Rostovs are staying, advises Natasha not to make friends with Helen, considering her company unsuitable for such a simple-minded girl. At the masquerade, Anatole swears his love to Natasha and does not leave her one step, which confuses her. The next day, Natasha secretly receives a letter from him, in which he invites her to run away with him and get married, since Count Rostov will never agree to their marriage. Sonya accidentally reads this letter and tries to shame her, but in response Natasha says that she loves only Anatole, although she has only seen him three times. Natasha writes a letter to Marya, in which she says that she will not marry Andrei. At dinner with the Kuragins, Sonya notices that Anatole and Natasha are agreeing on something and begins to follow her. Kuragin and Dolokhov draw up a plan for the kidnapping, but their plan fails, since Marya Dmitrievna, seeing Sonya crying, forces her to tell everything. Natasha is hysterical; she doesn’t understand what mistake she almost made. Marya Dmitrievna invites Pierre to her place and tells him everything, he is shocked: after all, Anatol Kuragin is married, which he informs Natasha about. Pierre goes to Helene's salon, where he finds Anatole and orders him to immediately leave Moscow and not tell anyone about his relationship with Natasha. Anatole leaves, but rumors still spread in society and reach Bolkonsky. Andrei comes to Moscow and, through Pierre, returns Natasha her portrait and letters, the engagement is broken, which the old prince and Marya are very happy about.

In October 1805, Russian troops occupied the cities and villages of the Archduchy of Austria and joined forces with the allies. Shortly before this, the soldiers made a thirty-mile trek, but since the arrival of the commander-in-chief was expected, the authorities demanded that they wear full dress uniform.

A shout of command was heard, and again the regiment trembled with a ringing sound, putting itself on guard. In the dead silence the weak voice of the commander-in-chief was heard. The regiment barked: “We wish you good health, your go-go-go-go-go!” And again everything froze. At first, Kutuzov stood in one place while the regiment moved; then Kutuzov, next to the white general, on foot, accompanied by his retinue, began to walk through the ranks... The regiment, thanks to the rigor and diligence of the regimental commander, was in excellent condition compared to others who came to Braunau at the same time. There were only 217 people who were retarded and sick. And everything was fine, except for the shoes.

Kutuzov walked through the ranks, stopping occasionally and speaking a few kind words to the officers whom he knew from Turkish war, and sometimes to soldiers. Looking at the shoes, he sadly shook his head several times and pointed them out to the Austrian general with such an expression that he didn’t seem to blame anyone for it, but he couldn’t help but see how bad it was. Each time the regimental commander ran ahead, afraid to miss the commander-in-chief's word regarding the regiment. Behind Kutuzov, at such a distance that any faintly spoken word could be heard, walked about 20 people in his retinue. The gentlemen of the retinue talked among themselves and sometimes laughed. The handsome adjutant walked closest to the commander-in-chief. This was Prince Bolkonsky.

Despite the fact that not much time has passed since Prince Andrei left Russia, he has changed a lot during this time. In the expression of his face, in his movements, in his gait, the former pretense, fatigue and laziness were almost not noticeable; he had the appearance of a man who has no time to think about the impression he makes on others, and busy pleasant and interesting. His face expressed more satisfaction with himself and those around him; his smile and gaze were more cheerful and attractive. Kutuzov, whom he caught up with in Poland, received him very kindly, promised him not to forget him, distinguished him from other adjutants, took him with him to Vienna and gave him more serious assignments. From Vienna, Kutuzov wrote to his old comrade, the father of Prince Andrei: “Your son,” he wrote, “gives hope of becoming an officer, out of the ordinary in his studies, firmness and diligence. I consider myself lucky to have such a subordinate at hand.”...

At Kutuzov's headquarters they were awaiting news from the commander of the Austrian army, Mack. At this time, an unfamiliar general unexpectedly arrived at the headquarters, whom the adjutants did not want to allow to see Kutuzov. The commander-in-chief went out to the reception room and recognized the arrival as General Mack, who confirmed the rumors about the defeat of the Austrians near Ulm and the surrender of the entire army. Prince Andrei understood that the Russian army was in a very difficult situation, that it would face a difficult battle with the French. On the one hand, he was glad about this, since he finally had the opportunity to take part in the battle, on the other hand, he feared the defeat of the Russian army, realizing that in this situation the advantage was on Bonaparte’s side.

Junker Rostov served in the squadron under the command of Captain Denisov, known “to the entire cavalry division under the name Vaska Denisov,” and lived with the commander. In the morning Denisov returned in a bad mood, as he had lost a significant amount of money at cards. Officer Telyanin came to them, whom his colleagues disliked for his secrecy and greed. After walking around the room a little, he left. Denisov sat down to write a letter to a girl with whom he had recently become interested, but was forced to interrupt, because at that time the sergeant came for money.

Denisov asked Rostov to give him his wallet, which he usually left under his pillow, but he discovered that the wallet had disappeared. Rostov realized that Telyanin had taken the money and went to his apartment. Finding out that he had gone to headquarters, he followed him. Nikolai found Telyanin having lunch at a tavern. He waited until it was time for Telyanin to pay, and saw how he took Denisov’s wallet out of his pocket and took money out of it. When Rostov accused Telyanin of theft, he was frightened, asked not to destroy him and, appealing for pity, told the story of his poor old parents, begging the cadet not to tell his colleagues about what had happened. Rostov threw his wallet at him with disgust, saying: “If you need it, take this money.”

Some time after this story, a conversation started in the company of officers about Telyanin, and Rostov told his colleagues that he had stolen money. The regimental commander accused Nicholas of lying, and Rostov challenged him to a duel. Friends, and Denisov most persistently of all, tried to dissuade Rostov from the duel, and advised him to apologize to the regimental commander. Despite their reasonable arguments, the young man did not give up his intentions. Telyanin pretended to be sick at this time: the next day he was ordered to be “excluded.” On the same day, the unit learned that General Mack and the entire Austrian army had surrendered. Denisov and the others were glad that the time had come to “go on a campaign.” Soon the Russian army entered the fighting.

Kutuzov retreated towards Vienna, burning bridges behind him on the rivers Inn (in Braunau) and Traun (in Linz). On October 23, Russian troops crossed the Enns River, stretching across the town of Enns on both sides of the bridge. The crossing where the Russian troops stopped was fired upon by the enemy. Not realizing the complexity of the situation, Russian soldiers joked and expressed their opinions about what was happening and upcoming events. Denisov prepared the squadron for battle.

Suddenly, on the opposite hill of the road, troops in blue hoods and artillery appeared. They were French. The Cossack patrol trotted away downhill. All the officers and men of Denisov’s squadron, although they tried to talk about outsiders and look around, did not stop thinking only about what was there on the mountain, and they all constantly peered at the spots on the horizon, which they recognized as enemy troops. There was no one between the squadron and the enemies, except for small patrols. An empty space, three hundred fathoms, separated them from him. The enemy stopped shooting, and the more clearly one felt that strict, menacing, impregnable and elusive line that separates the two enemy troops.

The smoke of a shot appeared on the enemy’s hill, and the cannonball, whistling, flew over the heads of the hussar squadron. The officers standing together went to their places. The hussars carefully began to straighten out their horses. Everything in the squadron fell silent. Everyone looked ahead at the enemy and at the squadron commander, waiting for a command. Another, third cannonball flew by. It is obvious that they were shooting at the hussars; but the cannonball, whistling evenly and quickly, flew over the heads of the hussars and struck somewhere behind. The hussars did not look back, but at every sound of a flying cannonball, as if on command, the entire squadron with their monotonously varied faces, holding their breath while the cannonball flew, rose in their stirrups and fell again. The soldiers, without turning their heads, glanced sideways at each other, curiously looking for the impression of their comrade...

Two squadrons of Pavlograd residents, having crossed the bridge, one after the other, went back to the mountain... Clinging their sabers to the reins, rattling their spurs and hurrying, the hussars dismounted, not knowing what they would do. The hussars were baptized. On French side, in those groups where there were guns, smoke appeared, another, a third, almost at the same time, and at that minute, as the sound of the first shot reached, a fourth appeared. Two sounds, one after another, and a third... The French guns again hastily loaded. The infantry in blue hoods ran towards the bridge. Again, but at different intervals, smoke appeared, and buckshot clicked and crackled across the bridge.

The regiment commander, the German Bogdanich, through whose fault the bridge was not set on fire in a timely manner, considered that during the operation he had lost “a trifle” - two hussars were wounded, and one was killed “on the spot.” Kutuzov crossed the Danube and stopped. On October 30, he attacked Mortier's division, defeating the enemy. During the battle, trophies were captured for the first time - a banner, guns and two enemy generals. In the battle, Prince Andrei was slightly scratched in the arm by a bullet, and his horse was seriously wounded.

As a sign of special favor, Bolkonsky was sent to the Austrian court to report the latest victory. The German Minister of War and his adjutant greeted the Russian courier coldly, making it clear by their behavior that they were not at all interested in Kutuzov’s military actions. From the entire report, the minister only drew attention to the fact that Mercier himself was not captured, but their compatriot Schmidt was killed, which, in his opinion, is “too expensive a price to pay for victory.”

Leaving the palace, Prince Andrei felt that the joy that filled him after the victory had disappeared. He stopped with his friend from St. Petersburg, diplomat Bilibin. When the prince told him about his visit to the Austrian embassy, ​​he was not at all surprised and replied that such an attitude was to be expected. Bilibin shared with Prince Andrei his thoughts on the likely course of further events: Austria found itself in a disadvantageous position and now, most likely, will begin to look for secret world with France.

A few days later, Bolkonsky went to a reception with Emperor Franz with the news of the won battle. The Emperor asked him about those who had nothing, in the opinion of Prince Andrei, special significance things: the time the battle began, the distance from one village to another, etc.

However, despite Bilibin’s prophecies, in general, at the Austrian court, the news of Kutuzov’s victory was greeted joyfully. Kutuzov was awarded the order Maria Theresa Grand Cross, and Prince Andrei - the Order of Maria Theresa, third degree. The emperor ordered a solemn prayer service for this occasion. The next day, after visiting the main dignitaries of Austria, Prince Andrei returned home to Bilibin in the evening. He reported that french army crossed one of the bridges defended by the Austrians, and although the bridge was mined, for some reason it was not blown up, which surprised even Bonaparte. Thus, the French may soon enter Moscow. The Russian army found itself in an even more difficult situation.

The news was sad and at the same time pleasant for Prince Andrei. As soon as he learned that the Russian army was in a hopeless situation, it occurred to him that he was precisely destined to lead the Russian army out of this situation, that here he was, that Toulon, who would lead him out of the ranks of unknown officers and open up a new path for him to glory! Listening to Bilibin, he was already thinking how, having arrived at the army, he would present an opinion at the military council that alone would save the army, and how he alone would be entrusted with the execution of this plan.

Prince Andrei prepared to immediately go back to his unit, although he planned to stay in the city for another two days. But Bilibin advised him not to return to the army, which was in a hopeless state, and to retreat with him. Bolkonsky refused this offer and went back.

When Prince Andrei returned to headquarters, Kutuzov, before his eyes, sent Bagration “to a great feat.” According to the commander's plans, Bagration was supposed to delay the French and allow the Russian army to take a more advantageous position. Prince Andrei wanted to join Bagration, but Kutuzov refused him.

Bagration, in order to gain time, sent envoys to the French for negotiations. Murat succumbed to the deception, but Bonaparte, having received a message from Murat, realized that the negotiations were “fake” and gave the order to stop them and immediately attack the Russian army. Prince Andrei still managed to get Kutuzov to send him to Bagration.

Having arrived at the place, Bolkonsky asked Bagration for permission to go around the position and find out the location of the troops.

While making his rounds, Prince Andrei observed the preparations for the battle. It seemed to him that in the next moment everyone would “unload their guns and go home.” But this did not happen: the guns were loaded and ready for battle. Passing by the Tushin battery, Prince Andrei heard the captain talking to someone about future life, about the immortality of the soul. At that moment, Bolkonsky was overcome with excitement and thought about how “his Toulon” would be expressed.

Together with Bagration and several officers, Bolkonsky went to the Tushin battery, which was shelling the village of Shengraben. No one ordered him to shoot, but he himself, after consulting with his sergeant major Zakharchenko, made such a decision. Bagration nodded his head and showed that he approved of Tushin’s actions and agreed with them.

While touring the troops, Prince Andrei was surprised to notice that everything was happening completely differently from what was taught in theory. The soldiers were huddled together, but nevertheless repelled attack after attack. The French were getting closer, and another attack was being prepared. Bagration personally led the soldiers into battle and defeated the enemy. Tushin's battery set the village on fire. Thanks to this, as well as the successful actions of Bagration’s soldiers, the Russian army was able to retreat.

In the confusion, Tushin’s battery was completely forgotten, and only at the end of the retreat Bagration sent a staff officer there, and then Prince Andrei, to give Tushin the order to retreat. Despite heavy losses, Tushin's battery continued to fire, Tushin himself giving orders. The captain seemed delirious: he was twice ordered to retreat, but he did not hear.

Prince Andrei helped harness the horses to the four surviving guns and continued to retreat with the battery. As soon as Tushin came out from under fire and went down into the ravine, he was met by his superiors and adjutants. Interrupting each other, they gave orders and scolded Tushin. The captain received the reprimands in silence, afraid to object, and then left.

As darkness fell, the battery stopped to rest. Rostov unsuccessfully tried to find his unit, Tushin was summoned to the general. The angry Bagration reprimanded the captain for leaving the gun on the battlefield, believing that it could have been taken using cover. Tushin did not say that there was in fact no cover, because he was “afraid of letting the other commander down.” However, Prince Andrei described to Bagration the real state of affairs at the time of the battle - the abandoned gun was destroyed, and the army owed the successful completion of the day's operation primarily to the actions of Tushin's battery, which, by the way, was not covered by anyone. Bolkonsky felt deep disappointment about what was happening.