Tolstoy addresses the over-confidence of Napoleon’s adversaries prior to the battle of Austerlitz, when Kutuzov’s forces and the Austrians reached their limit of no further retreat, winding up near Olmütz. Here, Emperors Alexandr & Francis would review their troops that numbered around 80,000 (both seasoned and reinforcements) before a 40-mile march south to fight the French, who had around 50,000 soldiers near Brünn.

Napoleon’s supply lines were extended after traveling so far into the Holy Roman Empire and Kutuzov is historically thought to have been reticent to engage Napoleon as he thought it better to draw the French further east and wait for Prussia to align against Napoleon. Yet he recognized with two Emperors meeting face-to-face and the French occupying Vienna, there was a compelling reason to fight. He also recognized Alexandr wanted to be the first Czar since Peter I to lead a battle of such magnitude. Moreover, the recent skirmishes created a consensus, this would be where Napoleon’s magnificent run ended.

We are brought to the morning of the review. From the crack of dawn, there was preparation, with throngs of men moving and halting upon command. Groups turned with banners and wheeled around each other. Prominent was the rhythmic beating of hooves and drums while calvary soldiers were carried on their steeds. From the artillery wagons, polished cannons and guns glimmered. Every soldier was shaved, with weapons clean and polished and generals strutted in their fancy parade uniforms. Even the horses were groomed to the point their coats shined like satin.

This Review bordered on the sacred. The men held inner feelings of insignificance before Majesty but were also conscious of their strength as a part of an enormous tempest. By 10:00 a.m., the army was extended in three lines: cavalry in front, then artillery, and in the third row - infantry. All were ready to greet Alexandr and Francis. Soon enough, ran an excited whisper, “They’re coming!” Joy swept over the troops as hundreds of riders guarding the leaders moved closer as trumpets heralded. At the head where the two Emperors.

Alexander’s youthful but majestic voice was heard. Those nearby roared “Hurrah!” so deafeningly that the men were awed by their own power. Rostov was in that throng and experienced what all others had: self-forgetfulness, a proud consciousness of might and devotion. He knew a single word from him would lead all to go through fire and and perform deeds of the highest heroism. “Hurrah! continued to thunder.

Rostov was near the trumpeters and recognized the Tsar. He could distinguish every detail of his face. Alexandr’s every movement was enchanting. The Tsar said something in French to Francis. Every sound from him was a gift from heaven. Rostov felt the most powerful flow of love for his sovereign, which he longed to demonstrate and considered, “if the Emperor would speak to me, I would die of happiness.” The Tsar addressed the officers: “I thank you all, gentlemen, I thank you with my whole heart.”

When Alexandr moved down the line, he was accompanied by a sea of high-level aides. Rostov noticed Bolkonsky among them. When thinking of their recent quarrel, Rostov realized Andrei was correct to suggest the matter be dropped. Such a disagreement was “not even worth thinking of at such a moment! At a time of such love, rapture and such self-sacrifice. What do any such affronts matter? For, I love and forgive everybody!”

When the troops saw their Emperors, they instantly felt they could lay down their lives. It a phenomena that exists through the ages and Tolstoy gets you to question such devotion.

After some time, select soldiers began a ceremonial march past Alexandr, including Rostov, a who was a fine horseman. He rode Bedouin, recently purchased from Denísov and it seemed the animal knew he was in the presence of royalty. “Fine fellows, those Pavlograds!” commented the Emperor.

When it was over, the soldiers collected in groups and began to talk. All discussion soon turned to Bonaparte and how he would be vanquished, especially if reinforcements came from Prussia. Soon enough the conversation in every group centered on Emperor Alexandr. His every word and movement was described with ecstasy. They all had one wish: to advance as soon as possible! All felt they could not fail.

This edition examines the second Sevastopol Sketch, where Tolstoy covers an all-too-common artillery battle and truce afterward. It focuses on May of 1855, roughly six months into the 11-month Siege during the Crimean War.

In the recent W&P episode, Tolstoy describes how young soldiers are typically unable to speak the truth and will conform their wartime stories to the expectations of their audience, as well as put themselves in the best light. He plays this out using the fictional Rostov, who was fearful and shaky on this horse as he headed into one of his first calvary charges. Rostov’s horse was shot out from under him and he fell to the ground, disoriented. When he came to, Rostov quickly became in fear of losing his life and ran into the woods like an animal pursued, with the French in hot pursuit. He soon pondered, “Why did I even come here?” However, when he conveyed this event days later, he told his old friends (Boris & Berg) how he was in a frenzy while charging and slashing at the French. Truth was completely lost on the symbolic good-hearted lad.

Tolstoy, a decade before publishing W&P, memorably wrote that the hero of his second Sevastopol Sketch (roughly 35 pages), whom he loves with all of his soul, was Truth. It is something War obscures. He succeeded in conveying a truth of War in this sketch, namely its brutality.

Tolstoy describes how men, full of lofty and petty hopes, just hours before, now lie as corpses or hideously mangled casualties after an artillery battle typical to what he witnessed firsthand.

He conveyed that the men involved, as opposed to the ideal of Truth, could not be said to symbolize good or evil. They made up of the spectrum of human behavior: good bad and ugly. Some were motivated by serving their fellow man and others by vane concerns. Some were men of resolve, others of fickleness. The same could be said of the French.

He labels the mid-levels officers sending their fellow men to near-certain death as “petty Napoleons,” implying that they are enemies of each man fighting as much as those wearing opposing uniforms.

At the end of this Sketch, Tolstoy focuses on the aftermath of a battle where white flags are raised and time is granted to collect the dead and wounded. The townspeople come out and many of the soldiers converge. Their better natures are manifest. They pat each other on the back, speak of the valour exhibited, and even exchange small gifts like tobacco.

Tolstoy expresses that these men are Christians who should all profess the Love of Him above and discard their arms, fall on their knees in repentance, and embrace their brothers in Christ. Yet he acknowledges, this will not happen, as when the flags are raised, the malevolent cycle will repeat itself.

The latter part of this chapter has Nicholas Rostov continuing his parley with Boris and Berg. I broke it into two episodes because the latter section deals with the first interaction between Andrei and Nichols, who surprisingly are not familiar with one another.

After Rostov alludes to his award, Boris retrieves the money and letter from Rostov’s family. Upon reading a few lines, Rostov hid his face, ashamed he frightened his family over his trivial injury. Berg then makes the mistake of commenting on Rostov’s bounty; as Rostov was given an excuse to turn his frustration at Berg. Berg is asked to temporarily leave and Rostov is free to lament. Also in the correspondence was a letter of recommendation for a position with General Bagration. However, Rostov throws it away. He does not want to be anyone’s adjutant, which he views as a servant’s job. Boris picks it up and confesses how much he would prefer such a position.

When the wine arrived, Berg was invited back. Over the bottle, the conversation became animated with the friends relaying their adventures, one from the vantage point of a hussar and the others from service close to the Imperial family.

Attention soon focuses on how Rostov was hurt. Without any intention of dishonesty, he gave an exaggerated account and conformed his story to expectations of what a cavalry attack would be. Notably, Rostov couldn’t have told the Truth: that he fell off his horse and ran into the woods. Tolstoy is implying that young men who face battle are prone to spin such tales. Rostov goes on to describe the battle at Schöngrabern as a collective memory, incorporating the bravery of those around him.

Rostov fervently relayed how he was aflame with excitement, flying like a hurricane at the French and cutting them down with his saber. He was carried away with lies. Just as he was saying: “You cannot imagine the frenzy,” Prince Andrei, entered the room, looking for Boris, as he had received a letter from Pierre requesting he help the young lad advance in his career. Andrei took notice of the young braggart. Already disillusioned by war, Andrei could not stand such boasting. He composed himself and gave Boris a pleasant greeting but frowned at Rostov, who noticed the affront. Boris then inquired of the battle plans. “We shall probably advance,” was Andrei’s reply.

Andrei turned to Rostóv and asked him if he was at Schöngrabern. When Rostov replied he was, Andrei calmly noted: “Yes, there are many stories now told about that affair.” Rostov took the bait, saying “Yes, stories!, But ours are those of men who have been under fire! Our have some weight, not like the stories of those on the staff who get rewards for doing nothing”

“Of whom you imagine me to be one?” retorted Andrei, with an amiable smile. Rostov was irate but recognized his adversary’s self-possession. He mustered, “I don’t know you and, frankly, I don’t want to. I am speaking of the staff in general.” Andrei calmly continues “I see you wish to insult me, and it would be very easy to do so if you lack sufficient self-respect, but admit that the time and place are badly chosen as in a day or two we shall all have to take part in a greater duel.” He added, “you know my name and where to find me, but don’t forget that I do not regard either myself or you as having been insulted, and as a man older than you, my advice is to let the matter drop.”

Andrei takes his exit after telling Boris they will speak further after the review. Rostov soon leaves for his own camp on horseback and dwells on the interaction. He replayed the events, thinking what he ought to have said. He imagines challenging Andrei to a duel and covering him with a pistol. While he wanted to see that small proud man cower, at the same time he realized there was no one else he had come across that he would so much like to have as a friend.