War and Peace is a masterpiece of literature that you won’t want to miss. First published in 1865 by The Russian Messenger, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy is considered to be one of the longest novels ever written, although Tolstoy himself did not consider this book "a novel". Interspersed between narrative chapters concerning five aristocratic families are several philosophical and historical chapters against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, where Tolstoy weaves a tale of drama with characters that include statesmen and generals of that era, mixing domestic life, balls, and war councils into one epic story.

Tolstoy was born to an aristocratic Russian family in 1828, and is considered to be one of the greatest authors of all time. He is best remembered for his literary works War and Peace, and Anna Karenina and also for his efforts to educate the children of the less fortunate - by sponsoring 13 schools during his lifetime.