Empire 87. Tolstoy: War and the Russian Empire
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Oct 10, 2023 
Rosamund Bartlett, a distinguished biographer of Tolstoy and translator of 'Anna Karenina,' delves into the life of one of literature's greatest figures. She discusses Tolstoy's transformation from a soldier in various imperial wars to a critic of the Russian Empire. The conversation highlights his empathy towards the Chechens and his evolving views on the futility of war. Additionally, Bartlett explores Tolstoy's personal struggles, including tensions in his marriage and his journey toward pacifism, revealing the profound impact of his philosophy on future generations.
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Tolstoy's Ancestor and Peter the Great
- One of Tolstoy's ancestors, Pyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy, served Peter the Great.
- He was involved in retrieving Peter's errant son, who was later tortured and killed.
Tolstoy's Complex Personality
- Tolstoy was described as attractive but difficult, prone to rubbing people the wrong way.
- He was self-conscious about his appearance and orphaned at a young age.
Tolstoy's Dissolute Youth
- As a youth, Tolstoy was described as crude and dissolute, driven by ambition, vanity, and lust.
- He gambled heavily, dropped out of university, and contracted venereal diseases.
