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Leo Tolstoy: The Cause of It All

Jacob Hayes

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Published in Leo Tolstoy The Cause Of It All: The Best Stories Don T Come From Good Vs Bad But Good Vs Good

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Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer who is regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time. He is best known for his epic novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, which are considered masterpieces of realism. Tolstoy was also a philosopher, religious thinker, and social reformer. He was a strong advocate for nonviolence and pacifism, and his writings have had a profound influence on many people around the world.

Leo Tolstoy - The Cause of it All: “The best stories don't come from "good vs. bad" but "good vs. good.”

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Early Life and Education

Leo Tolstoy was born on September 9, 1828, in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia. He was the fourth of five children born to Count Nikolai Ilyich Tolstoy and Countess Maria Nikolaevna Volkonskaya. Tolstoy's father was a wealthy landowner and military officer, and his mother was a devout Orthodox Christian. Tolstoy's early life was marked by tragedy. His mother died when he was two years old, and his father died when he was nine. Tolstoy and his siblings were raised by their aunt, Alexandra Osten-Sacken.

Tolstoy began his education at home, where he studied with tutors. He later attended Kazan University, but he left after two years without graduating. Tolstoy then traveled to Europe, where he studied philosophy, history, and literature. He returned to Russia in 1855 and began his writing career.

Literary Career

Tolstoy's first major work was Childhood, which was published in 1852. The novel was a semi-autobiographical account of Tolstoy's childhood. Tolstoy's next major work was War and Peace, which was published in four volumes between 1865 and 1869. War and Peace is one of the longest and most complex novels ever written. It tells the story of several Russian families during the Napoleonic Wars. Tolstoy's next major work was Anna Karenina, which was published in 1877. Anna Karenina is a story of love, betrayal, and redemption.

In addition to his novels, Tolstoy also wrote a number of short stories, essays, and plays. He was a prolific writer, and his work has been translated into more than 100 languages. Tolstoy's writings have had a profound influence on world literature, and he is considered one of the greatest writers of all time.

Philosophical and Religious Views

Tolstoy was a deeply religious man, and his religious views had a profound impact on his writing. Tolstoy rejected the official teachings of the Orthodox Church, and he developed his own unique religious philosophy. Tolstoy believed that the true meaning of life is to love one's neighbor and to live a simple life.

Tolstoy was also a pacifist, and he believed that all wars are wrong. He wrote a number of essays and articles on the subject of peace, and he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times. Tolstoy's pacifist views were controversial, and he was often criticized for them. However, his writings on peace have had a significant impact on the world, and he is considered one of the most influential pacifists of all time.

Social Reform

Tolstoy was also a social reformer, and he was passionate about helping the poor and oppressed. He founded a number of schools and hospitals, and he worked to improve the lives of the serfs on his estate. Tolstoy's social activism was controversial, and he was often criticized for his radical views. However, his work has had a significant impact on the world, and he is considered one of the most influential social reformers of all time.

Legacy

Leo Tolstoy died on November 20, 1910, at the age of 82. He is buried in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia. Tolstoy's legacy is immense. He is considered one of the greatest writers of all time, and his writings have had a profound influence on world literature, philosophy, religion, and social reform. Tolstoy is a towering figure in Russian history, and his work continues to be read and studied by people all over the world.