Teaser image from Kobo, link here
Revisiting some classics recently, given the current Russia - Ukraine conflict, I went back to this epic, a very long novel I had read decades ago. The plot takes place at times of struggle between two empires, the Russian and the French, and was first published in the 19th century. Acclaimed as one of the greatest writers, Tolstoy blends history and philosophy and transports the reader on a rollercoaster of multiple characters' lives and the historical occurrences of the era. Having participated in the Crimean War in the 1850s, Tolstoy is a pioneer in dissecting conflict from a human perspective: people suffer from them, whether with or against battles. The author believes that "war is such an unjust and evil thing that those who wage it try to stifle the voice of conscience within them". He considers warfare to be murder caused by male sadism...
Presently, media coverage is extensive about the atrocities of the fights on Ukrainian soil, and Putin is portrayed as the Big Bad Wolf. I am in no way claiming he is an altar boy. However, misinformation to fuel resentment and negative emotions towards Russia is way too obvious and has dangerous consequences on the whole world: it is claimed that food shortages are now happening, fuel prices are skyrocketing everywhere and Putin declared that, from now on, Russian gas will be paid for in roubles. This will have severe and significant repercussions on most economies, especially the ones relying on the US dollar to trade. Obviously, the Chinese depend on their own system and they are very well prepared and willing to take over the world. Will this be the end of American supremacy and their Pax Americana?
