CHAPTER 1
year 1812
Tolstoy describe how man perceives motion and relativity in the world. He uses the example of a watch and a clock and how each time his watch reaches a certain time, the clock rings so are the two related? This is much like war. Is it up to one leader to start a war, or is everyone responsible?
Important Quotes
" In seeking the laws of historical movement just the same thing happens.
The movement of humanity, arising as it does from innumerable arbitrary
human wills, is continuous."
" human reason replies: every time
conquerors appear there have been wars, but this does not prove that the
conquerors caused the wars and that it is possible to find the laws of a
war in the personal activity of a single man."
CHAPTER 2
The Russian army thinks they can take the French at Borodino, but their army has been reduced by half. They end up retreating and the weak French enter Moscow regardless. Tolstoy then explains how the events of war are not only attributed to the commanders and generals, but to all.
Important Quotes
"A commander-in-chief's business, it would seem, is simply to choose one of
these projects. But even that he cannot do. "
CHAPTER 3
Kutuzov thinks the Russian army is strong enough to fight the French and prevent them from entering Moscow. However, everyone else advises against it. As he realizes that they're all right, he feels out of control since retreating is the ultimate defeat for him.
Important Quotes
Kutuzov: " Have I really allowed Napoleon to reach Moscow, and when did I do so?
When was it decided? Can it have been yesterday when I ordered Platov to
retreat, or was it the evening before, when I had a nap and told Bennigsen
to issue orders? Or was it earlier still?..."
Kutuzov: "he was
convinced that he was destined to save Russia and that that was why,
against the Emperor's wish and by the will of the people, he had been
chosen commander-in-chief. He was convinced that he alone could maintain
command of the army in these difficult circumstances"
CHAPTER 4
Kutuzov and Bennigsen argue over what should be done in battle. Bennigsen wants to fight while Kutuzov wants to retreat.
Important Quotes
Kutuzov: "The question I
have asked these gentlemen to meet to discuss is a military one. The
question is that of saving Russia. Is it better to give up Moscow without
a battle, or by accepting battle to risk losing the army as well as
Moscow?"
Kutuzov: "When, when
did the abandonment of Moscow become inevitable? When was that done which
settled the matter? And who was to blame for it?"
CHAPTER 5
People start to leave Moscow. The rich leave with their slave and leave the peasants behind. The peasants destroy what's left of the city. Count Rostopchin, who had one thought it absurd to leave Moscow, now claims he'd burn his house down since he's ashamed at how Moscow has fallen.
Important Quotes
Rostopchin: "this man did not understand the meaning of what was
happening but merely wanted to do something himself that would astonish
people, to perform some patriotically heroic feat; and like a child he
made sport of the momentous, and unavoidable event—the abandonment
and burning of Moscow—and tried with his puny hand now to speed and
now to stay the enormous, popular tide that bore him along with it."
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