Leo Wiener Books

The backdrop of Napoleon's invasion of Russia serves as a dramatic setting for the intertwining lives of Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei, and Natasha Rostov. Through their journeys of self-discovery, suffering, and impulsiveness, Tolstoy explores profound themes of meaning and happiness. This new translation brings fresh insight into a narrative that balances grand historical events with intimate human experiences, solidifying its reputation as a monumental work in literature.

Considered by some to be the greatest novel ever written, Anna Karenina is Tolstoy's classic tale of love and adultery set against the backdrop of high society in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. A rich and complex masterpiece, the novel charts the disastrous course of a love affair between Anna, a beautiful married woman, and Count Vronsky, a wealthy army officer. Tolstoy seamlessly weaves together the lives of dozens of characters, and in doing so captures a breathtaking tapestry of late-nineteenth-century Russian society. As Matthew Arnold wrote in his celebrated essay on Tolstoy, "We are not to take Anna Karenina as a work of art; we are to take it as a piece of life."

Exploring a pivotal historical event, this narrative reveals a tragic story that could have been avoided. It emphasizes the invaluable contributions of Africans and Indigenous Americans to global humanity. By advocating for respect and acknowledgment of these contributions, the book aims to foster a world where all individuals can coexist in peace and dignity, celebrating their diverse legacies.