Few novels attempt as much as Tolstoy’s masterpiece, and even fewer succeed. Spanning Russian society during the Napoleonic era, War and Peace follows aristocratic families through love, ambition, faith, and the upheavals of war. In audio, its sweeping scope and intimate human moments unfold at the pace of a great story told aloud.
Listen to War and Peace Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeWhat War and Peace is about
Set in Russia during the early nineteenth century and the Napoleonic Wars, War and Peace traces the fortunes of several aristocratic families as their lives intersect across drawing rooms, country estates, and battlefields. Tolstoy moves between the private and the historical, following young men and women searching for meaning, purpose, and love while immense events reshape their world. Through these characters he explores friendship, family, faith, disillusionment, and the question of what truly drives history.
Far more than a war story, the novel is a panoramic study of human nature, rich with vivid personalities and philosophical reflection. The Louise and Aylmer Maude translation, long admired for its clarity and faithfulness to Tolstoy’s voice, makes this expansive classic feel approachable. It is a work that rewards patience and immersion, revealing its depth gradually as the lives within it grow and change.
| Author | Leo Tolstoy, Louise Maude - translator & Aylmer Maude - translator |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781483088464 |
| List price | $34.95 |
Why War and Peace is great on audio
A long, multi-layered classic like this can feel especially rewarding in audio, where the narration carries you through its many characters and shifting scenes. Listening lets the rhythm of Tolstoy’s prose and dialogue come alive, helping you keep track of the sprawling cast and savor its quieter, reflective passages. It is an ideal way to finally experience a book many readers mean to tackle but never quite begin.
Who should listen
This one is for listeners who love literary fiction with real ambition and don’t mind settling in for the long haul. If you enjoy historical sagas, deeply drawn characters, and books that blend personal drama with big ideas, you’ll find a lot to admire here. It also suits anyone curious to finally experience a cornerstone of world literature in a more accessible form.
If you like War and Peace, listen to these next
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
How to get the War and Peace audiobook free
Yes — the easiest way to get the War and Peace audiobook free is with an Audiobooks.com free trial. Your first audiobook is free, so you can listen to War and Peace during the 30-day trial and cancel anytime.
Listen to War and Peace Free30-day free trial • Your first audiobook free • Cancel anytimeFrequently asked questions
How can I listen to the War and Peace audiobook free?
You can listen through an Audiobooks.com free trial, which gives you your first audiobook free to enjoy during a 30-day trial, and you can cancel anytime. Keep in mind that a free-trial book is only yours to listen to during the trial; only audiobooks you purchase are kept after you cancel.
Is this the Louise and Aylmer Maude translation?
Yes. This edition uses the classic translation by Louise Maude and Aylmer Maude, which is widely respected for its faithfulness to Tolstoy’s style and its readability, making it a strong choice for first-time listeners.
Do I need to know Russian history to follow it?
No. The novel is set during the Napoleonic era in Russia, but Tolstoy weaves the historical background into the characters’ lives, so you can simply follow the people and let the larger events unfold around them.
Is War and Peace a good audiobook for a first-time listener of classics?
It can be, especially in audio. Hearing the story narrated helps you track its large cast and immerse yourself in the world, and listening over time makes this lengthy classic feel far more manageable than it might on the page.