This 1862 novel, in a vibrant new translation by Peter Constantine, is Tolstoy' s semiautobiographical story of young Olenin, a wealthy, disaffected Muscovite who joins the Russian army and travels to the untamed frontier of the Caucasus in search of a more authentic life. While striving to adopt the rough and ready lifestyle of the local Cossacks, Olenin falls in love with a free-spirited girl whose fiancé turns out to be a formidable opponent. Showcasing the philosophical insight that would characterize Tolstoy' s later masterpieces, this long overdue translation is a revelation.

"Tolstoy for Beginners" is an engaging exploration of the life, works, and enduring legacy of one of the greatest literary figures in history, Leo Tolstoy. This book delves into the enigmatic persona of Tolstoy, tracing his aristocratic upbringing, his literary influences, and the profound transformation that shaped his philosophy and worldview. From his monumental novels like "War and Peace" to the intimate tragedy of "Anna Karenina," Tolstoy's works reflect the complexities of human nature, the search for meaning, and the clash between personal desires and societal expectations. Through insightful analysis, this book examines Tolstoy's profound impact on literature, philosophy, and social thought, as well as his enduring relevance in understanding the human condition. Whether you are a long-time admirer of Tolstoy or a newcomer to his works, "Tolstoy for Beginners" offers a captivating journey into the world of this literary genius.

Step into the profound depths of human existence with Leo Tolstoy's poignant novella, ""The Death of Ivan Ilych."" This masterful work delves into the stark realities of life, death, and the search for meaning in a world filled with superficiality. As the narrative unfolds, follow the life of Ivan Ilych Golovin, a high-ranking judge who seemingly has it all: a successful career, a comfortable home, and a respectable family. But when faced with a terminal illness, Ivan is forced to confront the emptiness of his existence. Tolstoy's incisive prose unveils the haunting truth behind a life lived for societal approval. But here’s the question that will linger in your mind: What is the true measure of a life well-lived? Can we find authenticity in our choices, or are we merely playing roles defined by others? Explore the emotional landscape of Ivan’s final days, where the illusion of happiness shatters, revealing the profound truths about love, regret, and the inevitability of death. Tolstoy’s exploration of mortality invites readers to reflect on their own lives and the choices that define them. Are you ready to confront the realities of existence, where every decision shapes the legacy you leave behind? Engage with this timeless meditation on life and death, where every moment holds the weight of significance. This is not merely a story of death; it is a call to live authentically and embrace the depths of our humanity. Don't miss your chance to experience this literary gem. Purchase ""The Death of Ivan Ilych"" now, and embark on a transformative journey into the essence of life.

An unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young and adult learners. "I love Olly's work - and you will too!" - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers Short Stories in Russian for Beginners has been written especially for students from beginner to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to A2-B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference, these eight captivating stories will both entertain you, and give you a feeling of progress when reading. What does this book give you? · Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary · Controlled language at your level, including the 1000 most frequent words, to help you progress confidently · Authentic spoken dialogues, to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability · Pleasure! It's much easier to learn a new language when you're having fun, and research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!' · Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way Carefully curated to make learning a new language easy, these stories include key features that will support and consolidate your progress, including · A glossary for bolded words in each text · A bilingual word list · Full plot summary · Comprehension questions after each chapter. As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in Russian for Beginners will make learning Russian easy and enjoyable. Publisher's Note: The new edition of October 2018 has been comprehensively revised: it rectifies the translation errors identified by reviewers below in the previous edition and includes a completely new story.

Russian writers of the nineteenth century were quite consciously creating a new national literary tradition. They saw themselves self-consciously through Western European eyes, at once admiring Europe and feeling inferior to it. This ambivalence was perhaps most keenly felt in relation to France, whose language and culture had shaped the world of the Russian aristocracy from the time of Catherine the Great. In How the Russians Read the French, Priscilla Meyer shows how Mikhail Lermontov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Lev Tolstoy engaged with French literature and culture to define their own positions as Russian writers with specifically Russian aesthetic and moral values. Rejecting French sensationalism and what they perceived as a lack of spirituality among Westerners, these three writers attempted to create moral and philosophical works of art that drew on sources deemed more acceptable to a Russian worldview, particularly Pushkin and the Gospels. Through close readings of A Hero of Our Time, Crime and Punishment, and Anna Karenina, Meyer argues that each of these great Russian authors takes the French tradition as a thesis, proposes his own antithesis, and creates in his novel a synthesis meant to foster a genuinely Russian national tradition, free from imitation of Western models. Winner, University of Southern California Book Prize in Literary and Cultural Studies, American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies

A Confession Leo Tolstoy - This short work was originally titled An Introduction to a Criticism of Dogmatic Theology. It is a brief autobiographical story of the author's struggle with a mid-life existential crisis, and describes his search for the answer to the ultimate philosophical question: If God does not exist, since death is inevitable, what is the meaning of life?

Discover the essential thinking tools you’ve been missing with The Great Mental Models series by Shane Parrish, New York Times bestselling author and the mind behind the acclaimed Farnam Street blog and “The Knowledge Project” podcast. This first book in the series is your guide to learning the crucial thinking tools nobody ever taught you. Time and time again, great thinkers such as Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett have credited their success to mental models–representations of how something works that can scale onto other fields. Mastering a small number of mental models enables you to rapidly grasp new information, identify patterns others miss, and avoid the common mistakes that hold people back. The Great Mental Models: Volume 1, General Thinking Concepts shows you how making a few tiny changes in the way you think can deliver big results. Drawing on examples from history, business, art, and science, this book details nine of the most versatile, all-purpose mental models you can use right away to improve your decision making and productivity. This book will teach you how to: Avoid blind spots when looking at problems. Find non-obvious solutions. Anticipate and achieve desired outcomes. Play to your strengths, avoid your weaknesses, … and more. The Great Mental Models series demystifies once elusive concepts and illuminates rich knowledge that traditional education overlooks. This series is the most comprehensive and accessible guide on using mental models to better understand our world, solve problems, and gain an advantage.

Epic in scope, ambitious and astonishingly good, The Tolstoy Estate proclaims Steven Conte as one of Australia's finest writers. From the winner of the inaugural Prime Minister's Literary Award, Steven Conte, comes a powerful, densely rich and deeply affecting novel of love, war and literature 'Grave, moving, engaging ... full of the flash and fire of dramatic incident, but also full of real feeling, humour and poignancy, and equipped with plenty of panache ... It deserves the widest possible readership.' The Saturday Paper In the first year of the doomed German invasion of Russia in WWII, a German military doctor, Paul Bauer, is assigned to establish a field hospital at Yasnaya Polyana - the former grand estate of Count Leo Tolstoy, the author of the classic War and Peace. There he encounters a hostile aristocratic Russian woman, Katerina Trubetzkaya, a writer who has been left in charge of the estate. But even as a tentative friendship develops between them, Bauer's hostile and arrogant commanding officer, Julius Metz, becomes erratic and unhinged as the war turns against the Germans. Over the course of six weeks, in the terrible winter of 1941, everything starts to unravel... From the critically acclaimed and award-winning author, Steven Conte, The Tolstoy Estate is ambitious, accomplished and astonishingly good: an engrossing, intense and compelling exploration of the horror and brutality of conflict, and the moral, emotional, physical and intellectual limits that people reach in war time. It is also a poignant, bittersweet love story - and, most movingly, a novel that explores the notion that literature can still be a potent force for good in our world. Shortlisted for the 2021 Walter Scott Prize Shortlisted for the Age Book of the Year Award 2021 Longlisted for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize Longlisted for the 2021 Colin Roderick Award Longlist Longlisted for the 2021 Indie Book Awards 'Breathtaking ... an intelligent cinematic blockbuster. celebrating the power of literature to dissolve barriers and forge connections.' The West Australian 'Reading a book that is such a complete world, evoked in such fine detail, is almost wickedly satisfying ... Elegant, intelligent, utterly engrossing and immersive ... He reminds us that travel is always possible in the imagination even when reality goes dark and that literature always leads us towards the light.' Caroline Baum 'Steven Conte has written a sweeping historical saga spanning the second world WAR and the frigid decades of PEACE that followed; an essential novel about essential things - love's triumphs and failures, the redoubtable human spirit, and the power of literary art itself. Tolstoy, of course, is at the novel's heart, and in its very soul.' Luke Slattery, author, journalist, Books Editor of Australian Financial Review 'A riveting story of war, love and literature - Conte's prose does not miss a beat.' Jane Gleeson-White, award-winning author of Classics and Double Entry

Learn words associated with fashion as toddlers are introduced to Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.

Ruskin Bond has been writing stories for children for over six decades now, delighting and enchanting each new generation of readers with his heart-warming tales of friendship, love and coming-of-age. Curated in this essential collection are some of his best-loved stories, designed to introduce the young reader to Ruskin's cast of beloved characters - from the irrepressible Rusty, with his constant thirst for adventure, to his Grandfather, with his overflowing kindness towards all creatures great and small, from the resolute Bina, who braves a leopard to walk to school, to Suraj and Sunder Singh, who become unlikely friends. Including classic tales such as 'The Girl on the Train', 'Coming Home to Dehra', 'The Room of Many Colours' and 'The Blue Umbrella', in turns funny, touching, whimsical and nostalgic, this collection is a must-read for children and adults alike.