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War and Peace
War and Peace

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of War and Peace is here in full — 189 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.
But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that AntichristI really believe he is AntichristI will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!
But how do you do?
I see I have frightened yousit down and tell me all the news.”
It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

War and Peace

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of War and Peace is here in full — 189 sentences across 38 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.
Line 2
But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that AntichristI really believe he is AntichristI will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer myfaithful slave,’ as you call yourself!
Line 3
But how do you do?
Line 4
I see I have frightened yousit down and tell me all the news.”
Line 5
It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Empress noun US /ˈempres/

a woman emperor or the wife of an emperor

From this reading “It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.”

epilogue noun US /ˈepəlɔːɡ/

a short speech (often in verse) addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the end of a play

From this reading “BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.”

estates noun US /ɪˈsteɪts/

plural of “estate” — everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading “BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.”

Genoa noun US /ˈdʒenoʊə/

a seaport in northwestern Italy; provincial capital of Liguria

From this reading “BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.”

horrors noun US /ˈhɔːrərz/

plural of “horror” — intense and profound fear

From this reading “But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!”

perpetrated verb US /ˈpɜːrpətreɪtɪd/

past form of “perpetrate” — perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

From this reading “But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!”

thirteen noun US /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

From this reading “BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.”

well-known adjective US /ˈwelˈnoʊn/

widely or fully known

From this reading “It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.”

All words in this reading · 90

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

13

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

1805

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

1812

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

1813

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

20

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading I see I have frightened you—sit down and tell me all the news.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

AnnanounUS /ˈænə/

a former copper coin of Pakistan and India

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

Antichristnoun

(Christianity) the adversary of Christ (or Christianity) mentioned in the New Testament; the Antichrist will rule the world until overthrown by the Second Coming of Christ

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

BOOKnounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

Buonapartes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/

argue or speak in defense of

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

don't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading I see I have frightened you—sit down and tell me all the news.”

EmpressnounUS /ˈempres/

a woman emperor or the wife of an emperor

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

EPILOGUEnounUS /ˈepəlɔːɡ/

a short speech (often in verse) addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the end of a play

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

estatesnounUS /ɪˈsteɪts/

plural of “estate” — everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

faithfuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪθfəl/

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

familynounUS /ˈfæməli/

a social unit living together

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

favoritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

FIFTEENnounUS /fɪfˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

FOURTEENnounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

friendnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

frightenedadjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtənd/

made afraid

From this reading I see I have frightened you—sit down and tell me all the news.”

Fëdorovna

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

GenoanounUS /ˈdʒenoʊə/

a seaport in northwestern Italy; provincial capital of Liguria

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

honornounUS /ˈɑːnər/

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

horrorsnounUS /ˈhɔːrərz/

plural of “horror” — intense and profound fear

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

how

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But how do you do?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

infamies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

JulynounUS /ˌdʒuːˈlaɪ/

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/

for more time

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

Lucca

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

maidnounUS /meɪd/

a female domestic

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

Márya

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

newsnounUS /nuːz/

information about recent and important events

From this reading I see I have frightened you—sit down and tell me all the news.”

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

ONEpronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

perpetratedverbUS /ˈpɜːrpətreɪtɪd/

past form of “perpetrate” — perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

PrincenounUS /prɪns/

a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

Pávlovna

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

Schérer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

SECONDnounUS /ˈsekənd/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I see I have frightened you—sit down and tell me all the news.”

sitverbUS /sɪt/

be seated

From this reading I see I have frightened you—sit down and tell me all the news.”

slavenounUS /sleɪv/

a person who is owned by someone

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

THIRTEENnounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

tryverbUS /traɪ/

make an effort or attempt

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

TWELVEnounUS /twelv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

warnounUS /wɔːr/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

warnverbUS /wɔːrn/

notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

WelladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading BOOK TWELVE: 1812 BOOK THIRTEEN: 1812 BOOK FOURTEEN: 1812 BOOK FIFTEEN: 1812 - 13 FIRST EPILOGUE: 1813 - 20 SECOND EPILOGUE BOOK ONE: 1805 “Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes.

well-knownadjectiveUS /ˈwelˈnoʊn/

widely or fully known

From this reading It was in July, 1805, and the speaker was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer, maid of honor and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading But I warn you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave,’ as you call yourself!

Chapter 1 of War and Peace by Leo, graf Tolstoy holds 189 sentences, grouped into 38 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of War and Peace contain?

Chapter 1 holds 189 sentences of War and Peace, unabridged, divided into 38 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of War and Peace by Leo, graf Tolstoy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 189 sentences, grouped into 38 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of War and Peace?

Work through the 38 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 38 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading War and Peace

Common questions about reading War and Peace by Leo, graf Tolstoy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of War and Peace?

Yes. All 30326 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2600 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of War and Peace is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2600, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does War and Peace take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 6066 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read War and Peace section by section

How to work through War and Peace section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of War and Peace to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in War and Peace

Words and structures a reader meets early in War and Peace, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Twelve
A word that appears in the opening chapter of War and Peace; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Thirteen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of War and Peace; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fourteen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of War and Peace; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fifteen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of War and Peace; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.