Autor: Leo Wiener

Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, best known as Leo Tolstoy, was a towering figure in literature, moral philosophy, and social reform. Born into Russian nobility on September 9, 1828, Tolstoy“s works are celebrated for their realistic fiction and profound moral questions. His magnum opus, „War and Peace, “ and the psychologically penetrative „Anna Karenina“ are considered to be exemplars of the novel form. Beyond fiction, Tolstoy“s ethical treatise, „The Kingdom of God is Within You, “ profoundly influenced nonviolent movements worldwide, notably impacting leaders like Gandhi. In this work, Tolstoy expounds his interpretation of Christianity and articulates his rejection of the state“s coercive powers and institutionalized church, advocating instead for nonviolent resistance and an inner spiritual awakening. His essay „Christianity and Patriotism“ questions the compatibility of true Christian values with nationalistic pride and patriotism, offering a pacifist critique amid burgeoning national conflicts. The collection „Miscellanies“ encompasses a range of topics, showcasing Tolstoy“s versatility and breadth in addressing social, religious, and aesthetic issues. Tolstoy“s literary style is marked by rich character development and detailed narrative, traversing the intimate and the epic with psychological depth and a vivid sense of historicity, ethics, and the human condition. His contributions to literature and social thought persist, establishing him as a literary colossus and moral thinker of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Tolstoy died on November 20, 1910, but his legacy endures in his monumental contributions to literature and philosophy.