Thus begins, in January 1820, the surviving correspondence from Empress Maria Feodorovna in St Petersburg to her youngest daughter, Anna Pavlovna, Princess of Orange. Separated by Anna's marriage in 1816 to William of Orange, mother and daughter maintained almost daily contact by letter for twelve years. Anna and her family were indeed eventually reunited in 1824. The long trip was, however, made difficult by the Prince and Princess's position in the Dutch court and by Anna's frequent pregnancies.

The Russian Great Reforms of the 1860s were the last major modernizing effort by the Romanov dynasty. From 1855 to 1861, Grand Duchess Elena, born Princess Charlotte of Württemberg (1807-1873), acted as the spokeswoman for the reform-minded circles of Russian society, bringing before her nephew Emperor Alexander II a group of civic-minded experts who formed the core of the committee that prepared the greatest and most complex of the reforms, the abolition of serfdom in Russia. The Grand Duchess’s involvement in these crucial events in Russian history highlights the considerable influence aristocratic women had in Russian society, quite unlike women of the same class and status in Western Europe. A study of the Grand Duchess Elena of Russia offers a new understanding of Russian and international events of the time, the Romanovs’ role in them, the degree of autonomy enjoyed by high-born women in Russia and the ways in which new ideas gained ground in the nineteenth-century Russian empire. Based on abundant and largely unused archival sources, published documents and literature of the period in French, Russian, German, Italian and English, this is the first book about Grand Duchess Elena and it expertly interweaves the story of a woman’s life with that of Imperial Russian high politics.

The Great Classics of Russian Literature is an expansive anthology that showcases the rich tapestry of Russian writing over the centuries. It includes a broad array of literary styles, from the psychological drama of Dostoevsky to the romantic prose of Pushkin, and the satirical narratives of Gogol. This collection is significant for its inclusion of key texts that have shaped not just Russian literature, but the global literary landscape, offering readers standout pieces that highlight the diversity and depth of Russian thought and storytelling. The themes of spirituality, society, identity, and the human condition are explored with unmatched depth and introspection across these works, displaying the unique blend of realism and philosophy that Russian literature is renowned for. The contributing authors and editors of this anthology represent some of the most influential voices in literature. From the existential inquiries of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky to the pioneering short stories of Chekhov and the biting wit of Saki (H.H. Munro), each authors background contributes to a rich, multilayered exploration of Russian society and the human experience. These writers lived through some of the most turbulent times in Russian history, including the rise of the Russian Empire, the complexities of the Russian Revolution, and the profound changes of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their collective works offer insights into the socio-political and cultural shifts of their time, making this collection a vital conduit for understanding the forces that shaped modern Russian identity. This anthology is recommended for readers who seek to immerse themselves in the profound depths of Russian literary genius. The Great Classics of Russian Literature offers a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of narratives, themes, and styles, providing a comprehensive understanding of Russian literary movements and their global influence. Its a must-read for those who appreciate the educational value of literature and are eager to engage in the dialogue between these authors works, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities of human existence as reflected in the rich tapestry of Russian storytelling.

Against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, five aristocratic families in Russia are transformed by the vagaries of life, by war, and by the intersection of their lives with each other. Hundreds of characters populate War and Peace, many of them historical persons, including Napoleon and Tsar Alexander I, and all of them come to life under Tolstoy’s deft hand. War and Peace is generally considered to be Tolstoy’s masterpiece, a pinnacle of Russian literature, and one of history’s great novels. Tolstoy himself refused to call it that, saying it was “not a novel, even less is it a poem, and still less a historical chronicle.” It contains elements of history, narrative, and philosophy, the latter increasing in quantity as the book moves towards its climax. Whatever it is called, it is a triumph whose breadth and depth is perhaps unmatched in literature. This Standard Ebooks edition restores the Russian given names that were anglicized by the Maudes in their translation, the use of Russian patronymics and diminutives that they eliminated, and Tolstoy’s original four-book structure. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.

Part historical fiction, part philosophical treatise, and part romance novel, this genre-transcending epic follows the increasingly intertwined fates of the children of five prominent Russian families over the span of two decades during the Napoleonic Wars. Spirited Natasha, pensive Pierre, logical Andrew, religious Mary, and patriotic Nicholas navigate a Tsarist society that has been irrevocably altered by French invasion and occupation. Will their fierce commitment to their ideals be enough to protect them as they grow up and try to find their place in a world that is changing so rapidly around them? Leo Tolstoy's sprawling historical saga of love, scandal, and war was first published in Russian in 1869. This is an unabridged version of the English translation by Louise and Aylmer Maude, published in 1922-3.

Leo Tolstoy's magnum opus, 'The Complete Novels of Leo Tolstoy in One Premium Edition (World Classics Series)', encapsulates the quintessence of 19th-century Russian literature. This collection includes Tolstoy's seminal works such as 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina', known for their intricate characterization, profound philosophical insights, and epic scope. Tolstoy's literary style is characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, rich descriptive prose, and deep psychological explorations of his characters. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Russian society, Tolstoy's novels delve into timeless themes of love, war, morality, and existential angst. This omnibus edition provides readers with a comprehensive insight into the genius of one of the greatest novelists in literary history. Tolstoy's exploration of the human condition, social injustice, and spiritual awakening continues to resonate with readers today, making this collection a must-read for anyone interested in classic literature.

War and Peace is a novel by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869 in Russkii Vestnik, which tells the story of Russian society during the Napoleonic Era. It is usually described as one of Tolstoy's two major masterpieces (the other being Anna Karenina) as well as one of the world's greatest novels. War and Peace offered a new kind of fiction, with a great many characters caught up in a plot that covered nothing less than the grand subjects indicated by the title, combined with the equally large topics of youth, marriage, age, and death. Though it is often called a novel today, it broke so many conventions of the form that it was not considered a novel in its time. Indeed, Tolstoy himself considered Anna Karenina (1878) to be his first attempt at a novel in the European sense.