Taylor
@taylorikehara.bsky.social
Documenting my thoughts on War and Peace, 1 chapter a day
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 12
One last quote. From 1109:
Just as in astronomy the difficulty of admitting the motion of the earth lay in the immediate sensation of the earth’s stationeries and of the planets’ motion, so in history the difficulty of recognising the subjection of the personality…
One last quote. From 1109:
Just as in astronomy the difficulty of admitting the motion of the earth lay in the immediate sensation of the earth’s stationeries and of the planets’ motion, so in history the difficulty of recognising the subjection of the personality…
December 28, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 12
One last quote. From 1109:
Just as in astronomy the difficulty of admitting the motion of the earth lay in the immediate sensation of the earth’s stationeries and of the planets’ motion, so in history the difficulty of recognising the subjection of the personality…
One last quote. From 1109:
Just as in astronomy the difficulty of admitting the motion of the earth lay in the immediate sensation of the earth’s stationeries and of the planets’ motion, so in history the difficulty of recognising the subjection of the personality…
Tonight is the night I finish my year of War and Peace. What a read. The chapter-a-day experience alone is worth it—not only for this book but for any daunting tome that you have “been meaning to read. It’s a little strange to think I won’t have this book bedside every night. I’ll miss it.
December 28, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Tonight is the night I finish my year of War and Peace. What a read. The chapter-a-day experience alone is worth it—not only for this book but for any daunting tome that you have “been meaning to read. It’s a little strange to think I won’t have this book bedside every night. I’ll miss it.
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 11
Tolstoy suggests that it is absurd to think of humankind’s free will as the “cause” of historical events, just as it would be absurd to think free will affects the movements of heavenly bodies.
Tolstoy suggests that it is absurd to think of humankind’s free will as the “cause” of historical events, just as it would be absurd to think free will affects the movements of heavenly bodies.
December 28, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 11
Tolstoy suggests that it is absurd to think of humankind’s free will as the “cause” of historical events, just as it would be absurd to think free will affects the movements of heavenly bodies.
Tolstoy suggests that it is absurd to think of humankind’s free will as the “cause” of historical events, just as it would be absurd to think free will affects the movements of heavenly bodies.
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 10
Tolstoy synthesizes all the ideas he has been playing with in the book so far. I have been quoting a lot in my recent chapter updates; there’s just no better way to summarize it.
From 1106:
Reason gives expression to the laws of necessity. Consciousness gives…
Tolstoy synthesizes all the ideas he has been playing with in the book so far. I have been quoting a lot in my recent chapter updates; there’s just no better way to summarize it.
From 1106:
Reason gives expression to the laws of necessity. Consciousness gives…
December 25, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 10
Tolstoy synthesizes all the ideas he has been playing with in the book so far. I have been quoting a lot in my recent chapter updates; there’s just no better way to summarize it.
From 1106:
Reason gives expression to the laws of necessity. Consciousness gives…
Tolstoy synthesizes all the ideas he has been playing with in the book so far. I have been quoting a lot in my recent chapter updates; there’s just no better way to summarize it.
From 1106:
Reason gives expression to the laws of necessity. Consciousness gives…
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 9
Tolstoy paints a convincing picture of the “inverse ratio” of freedom and necessity. From 1100:
A drowning man clutching at another and drowning him, or a hungry mother starved by suckling her baby and stealing food, of a man trained to discipline who at…
Tolstoy paints a convincing picture of the “inverse ratio” of freedom and necessity. From 1100:
A drowning man clutching at another and drowning him, or a hungry mother starved by suckling her baby and stealing food, of a man trained to discipline who at…
December 24, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 9
Tolstoy paints a convincing picture of the “inverse ratio” of freedom and necessity. From 1100:
A drowning man clutching at another and drowning him, or a hungry mother starved by suckling her baby and stealing food, of a man trained to discipline who at…
Tolstoy paints a convincing picture of the “inverse ratio” of freedom and necessity. From 1100:
A drowning man clutching at another and drowning him, or a hungry mother starved by suckling her baby and stealing food, of a man trained to discipline who at…
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 8
Tolstoy attempts to link the “law” of power, and its constraints over human action, to modern understandings of consciousness and human existence. And ultimately, unfortunately, Tolstoy loves being christian.
But this part is at least funny. From 1099:
Only in our…
Tolstoy attempts to link the “law” of power, and its constraints over human action, to modern understandings of consciousness and human existence. And ultimately, unfortunately, Tolstoy loves being christian.
But this part is at least funny. From 1099:
Only in our…
December 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 8
Tolstoy attempts to link the “law” of power, and its constraints over human action, to modern understandings of consciousness and human existence. And ultimately, unfortunately, Tolstoy loves being christian.
But this part is at least funny. From 1099:
Only in our…
Tolstoy attempts to link the “law” of power, and its constraints over human action, to modern understandings of consciousness and human existence. And ultimately, unfortunately, Tolstoy loves being christian.
But this part is at least funny. From 1099:
Only in our…
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 7
Tolstoy concludes, for now. From 1096:
Why does a war or a revolution come to pass? We do not know. We only know that to bring either result to pass, men form themselves into a certain combination in which all take part; and we say that this is so because…
Tolstoy concludes, for now. From 1096:
Why does a war or a revolution come to pass? We do not know. We only know that to bring either result to pass, men form themselves into a certain combination in which all take part; and we say that this is so because…
December 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 7
Tolstoy concludes, for now. From 1096:
Why does a war or a revolution come to pass? We do not know. We only know that to bring either result to pass, men form themselves into a certain combination in which all take part; and we say that this is so because…
Tolstoy concludes, for now. From 1096:
Why does a war or a revolution come to pass? We do not know. We only know that to bring either result to pass, men form themselves into a certain combination in which all take part; and we say that this is so because…
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 6
Tolstoy defines power as a hierarchy, a “relation of persons in command to those whom they command,” and visualizes it as a cone
Tolstoy defines power as a hierarchy, a “relation of persons in command to those whom they command,” and visualizes it as a cone
December 24, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 6
Tolstoy defines power as a hierarchy, a “relation of persons in command to those whom they command,” and visualizes it as a cone
Tolstoy defines power as a hierarchy, a “relation of persons in command to those whom they command,” and visualizes it as a cone
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 5
1090:
What is the cause of historical events? Power.
What is power? Power is the combined will of the masses vested in one person.
On what conditions are the wills of the masses vested in one person? On condition of that person’s expressing the will of all men…
1090:
What is the cause of historical events? Power.
What is power? Power is the combined will of the masses vested in one person.
On what conditions are the wills of the masses vested in one person? On condition of that person’s expressing the will of all men…
December 24, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 5
1090:
What is the cause of historical events? Power.
What is power? Power is the combined will of the masses vested in one person.
On what conditions are the wills of the masses vested in one person? On condition of that person’s expressing the will of all men…
1090:
What is the cause of historical events? Power.
What is power? Power is the combined will of the masses vested in one person.
On what conditions are the wills of the masses vested in one person? On condition of that person’s expressing the will of all men…
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 4
1088:
But as it is nowhere proven that the goal of humanity really is freedom, equality, enlightenment, or civilisation, and as the connection of the masses with their rulers and with the leaders of humanity only rests on the arbitrary assumption that the…
1088:
But as it is nowhere proven that the goal of humanity really is freedom, equality, enlightenment, or civilisation, and as the connection of the masses with their rulers and with the leaders of humanity only rests on the arbitrary assumption that the…
December 24, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 4
1088:
But as it is nowhere proven that the goal of humanity really is freedom, equality, enlightenment, or civilisation, and as the connection of the masses with their rulers and with the leaders of humanity only rests on the arbitrary assumption that the…
1088:
But as it is nowhere proven that the goal of humanity really is freedom, equality, enlightenment, or civilisation, and as the connection of the masses with their rulers and with the leaders of humanity only rests on the arbitrary assumption that the…
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 3
What is power?
From 1084:
So long as histories are written of individual persons—whether they are Cæsars and Alexanders, or Luthers and Voltaires—and not the history of *all,* without one exception, *all* the people taking part in an event, there is no possibility…
What is power?
From 1084:
So long as histories are written of individual persons—whether they are Cæsars and Alexanders, or Luthers and Voltaires—and not the history of *all,* without one exception, *all* the people taking part in an event, there is no possibility…
December 24, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 3
What is power?
From 1084:
So long as histories are written of individual persons—whether they are Cæsars and Alexanders, or Luthers and Voltaires—and not the history of *all,* without one exception, *all* the people taking part in an event, there is no possibility…
What is power?
From 1084:
So long as histories are written of individual persons—whether they are Cæsars and Alexanders, or Luthers and Voltaires—and not the history of *all,* without one exception, *all* the people taking part in an event, there is no possibility…
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 2
Tolstoy groups historians into 3 classes and explains why they are all wrong. He evidently forgot about himself. I wonder what his 4th class would be? Dialectical historian? Historian of critical analysis of historians?
Tolstoy groups historians into 3 classes and explains why they are all wrong. He evidently forgot about himself. I wonder what his 4th class would be? Dialectical historian? Historian of critical analysis of historians?
December 24, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Epilogue, Part 2, Chapter 2
Tolstoy groups historians into 3 classes and explains why they are all wrong. He evidently forgot about himself. I wonder what his 4th class would be? Dialectical historian? Historian of critical analysis of historians?
Tolstoy groups historians into 3 classes and explains why they are all wrong. He evidently forgot about himself. I wonder what his 4th class would be? Dialectical historian? Historian of critical analysis of historians?
Epilogue Part 2, Chapter 1
From 1077:
Instead of men endowed with divine authority and directly led by the will of the Deity, modern history has set up either heroes, endowed with extraordinary, superhuman powers, or simply men of the most varied characteristics, from monarchs to journalists…
From 1077:
Instead of men endowed with divine authority and directly led by the will of the Deity, modern history has set up either heroes, endowed with extraordinary, superhuman powers, or simply men of the most varied characteristics, from monarchs to journalists…
December 23, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Epilogue Part 2, Chapter 1
From 1077:
Instead of men endowed with divine authority and directly led by the will of the Deity, modern history has set up either heroes, endowed with extraordinary, superhuman powers, or simply men of the most varied characteristics, from monarchs to journalists…
From 1077:
Instead of men endowed with divine authority and directly led by the will of the Deity, modern history has set up either heroes, endowed with extraordinary, superhuman powers, or simply men of the most varied characteristics, from monarchs to journalists…
Epilogue, Chapter 16
Pierre and Natasha have a relatively more wholesome debrief. Nikolinka has a dream
Pierre and Natasha have a relatively more wholesome debrief. Nikolinka has a dream
December 22, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 16
Pierre and Natasha have a relatively more wholesome debrief. Nikolinka has a dream
Pierre and Natasha have a relatively more wholesome debrief. Nikolinka has a dream
Epilogue, Chapter 15
Nikolay and Marya debrief
Nikolay and Marya debrief
December 22, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 15
Nikolay and Marya debrief
Nikolay and Marya debrief
Epilogue, Chapter 14
The moment Nikolinka responds to Pierre’s politics, and asks if his father would have supported him, clearly disturbs Pierre—I wonder if that is because he realizes just how much Nikolinka is like him when he was younger
The moment Nikolinka responds to Pierre’s politics, and asks if his father would have supported him, clearly disturbs Pierre—I wonder if that is because he realizes just how much Nikolinka is like him when he was younger
December 14, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 14
The moment Nikolinka responds to Pierre’s politics, and asks if his father would have supported him, clearly disturbs Pierre—I wonder if that is because he realizes just how much Nikolinka is like him when he was younger
The moment Nikolinka responds to Pierre’s politics, and asks if his father would have supported him, clearly disturbs Pierre—I wonder if that is because he realizes just how much Nikolinka is like him when he was younger
Epilogue, Chapter 13
It is both appropriate and nice of Pierre being intentional about keeping the countess apprised of the other members in high society of her generation. He’s kind to the elderly, folks!
It is both appropriate and nice of Pierre being intentional about keeping the countess apprised of the other members in high society of her generation. He’s kind to the elderly, folks!
December 14, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 13
It is both appropriate and nice of Pierre being intentional about keeping the countess apprised of the other members in high society of her generation. He’s kind to the elderly, folks!
It is both appropriate and nice of Pierre being intentional about keeping the countess apprised of the other members in high society of her generation. He’s kind to the elderly, folks!
Epilogue, Chapter 12
Something I do like about the timeskip is seeing Nikolinka’s affection for Pierre, someone he admires as a proxy-father/living connection to his dad
Something I do like about the timeskip is seeing Nikolinka’s affection for Pierre, someone he admires as a proxy-father/living connection to his dad
December 14, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 12
Something I do like about the timeskip is seeing Nikolinka’s affection for Pierre, someone he admires as a proxy-father/living connection to his dad
Something I do like about the timeskip is seeing Nikolinka’s affection for Pierre, someone he admires as a proxy-father/living connection to his dad
Epilogue, Chapter 11
It’s sad to say, but Tolstoy’s writing has never been weaker. His depiction of the characters’ married lives, whether intentionally so or not, is unsatisfying.
It’s sad to say, but Tolstoy’s writing has never been weaker. His depiction of the characters’ married lives, whether intentionally so or not, is unsatisfying.
December 14, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 11
It’s sad to say, but Tolstoy’s writing has never been weaker. His depiction of the characters’ married lives, whether intentionally so or not, is unsatisfying.
It’s sad to say, but Tolstoy’s writing has never been weaker. His depiction of the characters’ married lives, whether intentionally so or not, is unsatisfying.
Epilogue, Chapter 10
Tolstoy tradwife-ifies Natasha
Tolstoy tradwife-ifies Natasha
December 10, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 10
Tolstoy tradwife-ifies Natasha
Tolstoy tradwife-ifies Natasha
Epilogue, Chapter 9
Is it just me? Marya is playing the same role in her marriage with Nikolay that she was relegated to when her father was Prince of Bleak Hills.
From 1052:
“Never, never could I have believed,” she murmured to herself, “that one could be so happy.” Her face lighted up with a…
Is it just me? Marya is playing the same role in her marriage with Nikolay that she was relegated to when her father was Prince of Bleak Hills.
From 1052:
“Never, never could I have believed,” she murmured to herself, “that one could be so happy.” Her face lighted up with a…
December 9, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 9
Is it just me? Marya is playing the same role in her marriage with Nikolay that she was relegated to when her father was Prince of Bleak Hills.
From 1052:
“Never, never could I have believed,” she murmured to herself, “that one could be so happy.” Her face lighted up with a…
Is it just me? Marya is playing the same role in her marriage with Nikolay that she was relegated to when her father was Prince of Bleak Hills.
From 1052:
“Never, never could I have believed,” she murmured to herself, “that one could be so happy.” Her face lighted up with a…
DM me if you know how to ethically stream We Are Charlie Kirk so I can listen to it ironically
December 9, 2025 at 2:53 AM
DM me if you know how to ethically stream We Are Charlie Kirk so I can listen to it ironically
Epilogue, Chapter 8
Nikolay’s violent temper causes problems, but never world-ending ones. Marya and Natasha talk about Sonya as a “barren flower,” but it’s ok, Tolstoy assures us, because really, deep down, she likes it!
I don’t think Nikolay’s affection for the management of his estate to be so
Nikolay’s violent temper causes problems, but never world-ending ones. Marya and Natasha talk about Sonya as a “barren flower,” but it’s ok, Tolstoy assures us, because really, deep down, she likes it!
I don’t think Nikolay’s affection for the management of his estate to be so
December 8, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 8
Nikolay’s violent temper causes problems, but never world-ending ones. Marya and Natasha talk about Sonya as a “barren flower,” but it’s ok, Tolstoy assures us, because really, deep down, she likes it!
I don’t think Nikolay’s affection for the management of his estate to be so
Nikolay’s violent temper causes problems, but never world-ending ones. Marya and Natasha talk about Sonya as a “barren flower,” but it’s ok, Tolstoy assures us, because really, deep down, she likes it!
I don’t think Nikolay’s affection for the management of his estate to be so
Epilogue, Chapter 7
Nikolay marries Marya, as expected, but only god knows why Tolstoy decided to write a whole chapter about how “good” of a master Nikolay is to his serfs, instead of addressing the much, much more interesting and obvious question: how have Nikolay and Sonya been changed?
Nikolay marries Marya, as expected, but only god knows why Tolstoy decided to write a whole chapter about how “good” of a master Nikolay is to his serfs, instead of addressing the much, much more interesting and obvious question: how have Nikolay and Sonya been changed?
December 8, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 7
Nikolay marries Marya, as expected, but only god knows why Tolstoy decided to write a whole chapter about how “good” of a master Nikolay is to his serfs, instead of addressing the much, much more interesting and obvious question: how have Nikolay and Sonya been changed?
Nikolay marries Marya, as expected, but only god knows why Tolstoy decided to write a whole chapter about how “good” of a master Nikolay is to his serfs, instead of addressing the much, much more interesting and obvious question: how have Nikolay and Sonya been changed?
Epilogue, Chapter 6
From 1043:
For a few seconds they gazed mutely at each other’s eyes, and the remote and impossible became all at once close at hand, possible and inevitable.
All I can say is, poor, poor Sonya.
From 1043:
For a few seconds they gazed mutely at each other’s eyes, and the remote and impossible became all at once close at hand, possible and inevitable.
All I can say is, poor, poor Sonya.
December 6, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Epilogue, Chapter 6
From 1043:
For a few seconds they gazed mutely at each other’s eyes, and the remote and impossible became all at once close at hand, possible and inevitable.
All I can say is, poor, poor Sonya.
From 1043:
For a few seconds they gazed mutely at each other’s eyes, and the remote and impossible became all at once close at hand, possible and inevitable.
All I can say is, poor, poor Sonya.