Give War and Peace a Chance by Andrew D. Kaufman Summary

Give War and Peace a Chance by Andrew D. Kaufman explores Tolstoy’s epic novel as a timeless guide to navigating modern life’s challenges. Through themes like love, death, courage, and perseverance, Kaufman reveals how War and Peace reflects universal human struggles, offering wisdom for finding meaning in chaos. Blending literary analysis, biography, and personal anecdotes, the book makes Tolstoy’s classic accessible and relevant to today’s readers.

This book is ideal for literature enthusiasts, students of Russian classics, and readers seeking philosophical insights into resilience and self-discovery. It appeals to those intimidated by War and Peace’s length, as Kaufman’s engaging breakdown demystifies its themes. Professionals interested in leadership, ethics, or personal growth will also find actionable parallels between Tolstoy’s characters and modern dilemmas.

Yes—Kaufman’s lively prose and fresh perspective transform War and Peace from a daunting classic into a practical handbook for modern living. It’s praised for clarifying Tolstoy’s complex ideas while connecting them to contemporary issues like social change and personal identity. Readers gain both literary appreciation and tools to navigate uncertainty.

Kaufman highlights themes central to Tolstoy’s work and modern life:

• Search for meaning in a fractured world
• Resilience amid chaos
• Authentic human connection versus societal expectations
• The interplay of free will and destiny
  These are illustrated through characters like Pierre Bezukhov’s spiritual journey and Natasha Rostova’s emotional growth.

Unlike purely academic analyses, Kaufman’s book interweaves scholarly insights with memoir-like reflections, making Tolstoy relatable. It contrasts with rigid critiques by emphasizing War and Peace’s messy humanity over structural perfection, akin to Turgenev’s Fathers and Sons. This approach bridges historical context and present-day relevance.

Kaufman examines quotes like:

• “The whole of life is a process of learning how to die” (exploring mortality’s role in shaping purpose).
• “Pure and complete sorrow is as impossible as pure and complete joy” (highlighting Tolstoy’s embrace of life’s contradictions).
  These are framed as lessons for embracing complexity in personal and societal challenges.

Absolutely. Kaufman draws parallels between 19th-century Russia and today’s crises, showing how Tolstoy’s characters grapple with:

• Political upheaval and social justice
• Identity crises in a rapidly changing world
• Balancing personal desires with communal responsibilities
  The book positions War and Peace as a mirror to contemporary struggles like polarization and existential anxiety.

Some scholars argue Kaufman’s personal anecdotes distract from literary analysis, while others praise his approach for humanizing Tolstoy. Critics note the book avoids deep engagement with War and Peace’s historical context but applaud its success in making the classic accessible to new audiences.

As a University of Virginia Slavic languages professor and creator of the “Books Behind Bars” program, Kaufman blends academic rigor with real-world application. His 25-year engagement with Tolstoy informs the book’s balance of passion and scholarship, particularly in linking literature to social justice and personal transformation.

Yes. Kaufman provides prompts for group discussions, such as:

• “Is War and Peace more relevant today than when it was written?”
• “How do Tolstoy’s characters reflect modern quests for authenticity?”
  These encourage reflection on the novel’s philosophical and practical implications.

He breaks the novel into digestible themes, using humor and relatable analogies to simplify its scope. By focusing on character arcs like Prince Andrei’s search for purpose, Kaufman helps readers see the epic as a series of intimate, interconnected human stories rather than an overwhelming tome.

Kaufman’s emphasis on War and Peace as a “celebration of life’s contradictions” distinguishes it from traditional critiques. The book avoids prescriptive interpretations, instead inviting readers to engage with Tolstoy’s ambiguities—a reflection of Kaufman’s belief that great literature thrives in uncertainty.