Chapter 5
Kutuzov is grumpy at having to get early to general a battle he doesn't think they should be having, and even grumpier when he sees that the columns aren't where they should be. He shouts at people until he learns no one got the order (presumably because of Ermelov). They decide to hold the battle the next day instead.
Monday, 13 January 2020
Sunday, 12 January 2020
In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 13, Chapter 4
Chapter 4
It is the fourth of October, and a marvellous battle plan has been drawn up, which will definitely result in a Russian victory. Of course, it relies on every column being where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be, which never happens.
A young officer is sent out to deliver a copy of the battle plan to Ermelov, who is determined not to receive it and spends the day being awol, though the officer finds him in the end. Apparently, Ermelov is a real person, Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov, which I guess is why Tolstoy didn't introduce him. According to wikipedia, he played an important role in the quarrel between Barclay de Tolly and Bagration, which has come up a bit in the past few chapters, but I didn't find it very interesting. Apparently there is a huge fuss over who's in charge. I think they should just let Kutuzov get on with things.
Incidentally, I went on a bit of a wikiwalk and learned that Barclay de Tolly did gain the 'Barclay' part of his name from the Scottish clan, who were his ancestors. His father was the first member of his family to be accepted into Russian nobility. I knew Barclay was a Scottish name, I just assumed this Barclay had a different origin. The 'de Tolly' part refers to Towie, in Aberdeenshire.
It is the fourth of October, and a marvellous battle plan has been drawn up, which will definitely result in a Russian victory. Of course, it relies on every column being where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be, which never happens.
A young officer is sent out to deliver a copy of the battle plan to Ermelov, who is determined not to receive it and spends the day being awol, though the officer finds him in the end. Apparently, Ermelov is a real person, Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov, which I guess is why Tolstoy didn't introduce him. According to wikipedia, he played an important role in the quarrel between Barclay de Tolly and Bagration, which has come up a bit in the past few chapters, but I didn't find it very interesting. Apparently there is a huge fuss over who's in charge. I think they should just let Kutuzov get on with things.
Incidentally, I went on a bit of a wikiwalk and learned that Barclay de Tolly did gain the 'Barclay' part of his name from the Scottish clan, who were his ancestors. His father was the first member of his family to be accepted into Russian nobility. I knew Barclay was a Scottish name, I just assumed this Barclay had a different origin. The 'de Tolly' part refers to Towie, in Aberdeenshire.
Friday, 10 January 2020
In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 13, Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The Russian army is commanded both by Kutuzov, who is with the army, and by the Emperor, who is in St Petersburg. The Emperor keeps sending ridiculous, impractical orders based on what he thinks is happening rather than what is actually happening, which Kutuzov politely ignores. Eventually, it is decided to attack the left flank of the French on the 5th of October.
The Russian army is commanded both by Kutuzov, who is with the army, and by the Emperor, who is in St Petersburg. The Emperor keeps sending ridiculous, impractical orders based on what he thinks is happening rather than what is actually happening, which Kutuzov politely ignores. Eventually, it is decided to attack the left flank of the French on the 5th of October.
Thursday, 9 January 2020
In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 13, Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 continues Tolstoy's essay on the Russian retreat and flanking of the French army as something natural "like a ball rolling downhill", rather than some inspired military tactic. He does give Kutuzov credit for realising that the battle of Borodino was a victory for Russia and that the French army was a "wounded beast".
Chapter 2 continues Tolstoy's essay on the Russian retreat and flanking of the French army as something natural "like a ball rolling downhill", rather than some inspired military tactic. He does give Kutuzov credit for realising that the battle of Borodino was a victory for Russia and that the French army was a "wounded beast".
Wednesday, 8 January 2020
In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 13, Chapter 1
Chapter 1
This is another of Tolstoy's essays on how you can only truly understand the cause of an event if you understand all the moving parts, which is impossible, so people deviate to assuming the cause is what god wanted, or want key players like Napoleon wanted, in this case. This time, he's focussed on where the Russian army went after the battle of Borodino. Many historians claim this move was one of great strategic wisdom, as it lead to the defeat of the French. Tolstoy says no one could possibly have known or planned that, since the French could just have easily have moved on St Petersburg and won - the Russian army just went where the provisions were. Most of the command are known to have voted for a totally different retreat, and, after this vote, it was pointed out that the suggested movement would separate the army from its supplies over winter.
This is another of Tolstoy's essays on how you can only truly understand the cause of an event if you understand all the moving parts, which is impossible, so people deviate to assuming the cause is what god wanted, or want key players like Napoleon wanted, in this case. This time, he's focussed on where the Russian army went after the battle of Borodino. Many historians claim this move was one of great strategic wisdom, as it lead to the defeat of the French. Tolstoy says no one could possibly have known or planned that, since the French could just have easily have moved on St Petersburg and won - the Russian army just went where the provisions were. Most of the command are known to have voted for a totally different retreat, and, after this vote, it was pointed out that the suggested movement would separate the army from its supplies over winter.
Tuesday, 7 January 2020
In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 12, Chapter 16
Chapter 16
This chapter is dedicated to explaining exactly what happened to Andrew. It's tricky to summarise, but he's basically accepted death, which means letting go of his earthly connections. His love for Natasha has been interfering with that, but now death is coming and everyone around him accepts it, even Mary and Natasha. Andrew kisses his son and blesses him when reminded, but otherwise the days pass calmly until Andrew dies.
That's the end of part 12. There are five parts left, ranging between 20 and 12 chapters, for a total of 86 chapters. If I read one a day, I'll be done by the first of April.
This chapter is dedicated to explaining exactly what happened to Andrew. It's tricky to summarise, but he's basically accepted death, which means letting go of his earthly connections. His love for Natasha has been interfering with that, but now death is coming and everyone around him accepts it, even Mary and Natasha. Andrew kisses his son and blesses him when reminded, but otherwise the days pass calmly until Andrew dies.
That's the end of part 12. There are five parts left, ranging between 20 and 12 chapters, for a total of 86 chapters. If I read one a day, I'll be done by the first of April.
Sunday, 5 January 2020
In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 12, Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Apparently, what happened two days ago is that Prince Andrew mentally moved on from life. It takes him a lot of effort to understand why Mary and Natasha is crying, and what their concerns are. He tells Mary that she should marry Nikolai, and kisses his son. Baby Nikolai - Andrew's son - understands what is happening, and spends the next few days clinging to either Mary or Natasha.
Apparently, what happened two days ago is that Prince Andrew mentally moved on from life. It takes him a lot of effort to understand why Mary and Natasha is crying, and what their concerns are. He tells Mary that she should marry Nikolai, and kisses his son. Baby Nikolai - Andrew's son - understands what is happening, and spends the next few days clinging to either Mary or Natasha.
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