The Life Of Tolstoy First Fifty Years

"Aylmer Maude's 'The Life of Tolstoy: First Fifty Years'" is a literary gem that offers readers an unparalleled glimpse into the life of the renowned Russian author, Leo Tolstoy, during the formative years of his extraordinary journey. Aylmer Maude, a close friend and translator of Tolstoy's works, brings a unique perspective to this biographical work. Maude's vivid storytelling and intimate knowledge of Tolstoy's life and literary career make this book a captivating read. Delving into Tolstoy's early influences, struggles, and the development of his literary genius, Maude provides readers with profound insights into the mind and soul of one of the world's greatest novelists. This biography is not just a scholarly endeavor; it is a heartfelt tribute to Tolstoy's enduring legacy and a testament to the enduring power of literature.

Excerpt from The Life of Tolstoy: First Fifty Years The reason I have written this work is because so many among us are interested in Tolstoy and so few seem to under stand him. It would seem therefore that an English Life of Tolstoy is needed, and having lived in Russia for twenty three years, known Tolstoy well for several years, visited him frequently in Moscow, and stayed with him repeatedly at Yasnaya Polyana, I am perhaps as well qualified as any one to write it, especially as I have long made a careful study of his views. My wife and I have translated several of his works, have known people closely connected with him, and some ten years ago we took part in an unsuccessful 'tolstoy' Colony; besides which 1 went to Canada at his wish to make arrangements for the Doukhobor migration, of which I subsequently wrote the history. Moreover, I am impartial. That is to say, I have taken pains to understand Tolstoy's views, and to see the good there is in them but being a Westerner, I see'also certain things Tolstoy overlooks, and I know that these things knock big holes in some of his most cherished 'principles.' About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This magnificent biography by Tolstoy's close friend and translator, Aylmer Maude, is now available in paperback for the first time. First published in 1908-10, when it was largely contributed to by Tolstoy and revised by his wife, Countess Tolstoy, it was revised and reviewed by Tolstoy's daughter for the centenary of the author's birth in 1928. This second version includes an account of Tolstoy's last days and death and the culmination of his thoughts about life, art, and religion. It is considered by many to be the definitive life of the great Russian writer. Count Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy (1828-1910), a nobleman and heir to large estates, was a man of tremendous energy and fine intellect. His novels, which include War and Peace and Anna Karenina, and his numerous plays and short stories pursue in fiction the ideals of truth and morality the author himself pursued in life. Though constantly discouraged and remorseful, Tolstoy never abandoned these ideals and eventually arrived at "intellectual conclusions which involved non-resistance to evil, the abolition of governments and nationality, of churches and dogmas, but involved also belief in God and love of men." The influence of Tolstoy's ideas and writings spread far beyond the borders of Russia, and he became, and remains, a literary and intellectual prophet to many in the West. Born in Yásnaya Polyána, an ancestral estate 130 miles south of Moscow, Tolstoy was surrounded in his youth by wealth and privilege. Despite the fact that he and his brothers and sister were orphaned by the time Tolstoy was nine, there were tutors and a large extended family to care for them. Tolstoy's military career, which forced him to confront mortality and the meaning of life, began in adolescence when he volunteered for duty in the Caucasus and continued through the 1850s and the bloody Crimean War. His search for meaning led him to spiritualism and the occult and to the writing of short stories, the first of which, "Childhood," was published when he was 24. Tolstoy married and fathered 13 children, but left the daily care of both his children and his estate to his wife, as he repudiated money and property. Aylmer Maude, who spent 23 years in Russia, examines these and many other facets of Tolstoy's life with the intimacy of a close friend and the objectivity of a Westerner. His Life of Tolstoy, long considered a major biography, illuminates the development of Tolstoy's life and ideas and the great literary works that reflect them.

The Life of Tolstoy: First Fifty Years by Aylmer Maude: Gain insights into the life and legacy of one of Russia's most celebrated authors with Aylmer Maude's "The Life of Tolstoy: First Fifty Years." Through this biography, readers are offered a comprehensive look at Leo Tolstoy's early life, literary achievements, and his impact on literature and society. Key Aspects of the Book "The Life of Tolstoy: First Fifty Years by Aylmer Maude": Biographical Exploration: Maude's biography provides readers with a detailed account of Leo Tolstoy's life, from his formative years to his emergence as a prominent literary figure. Literary Legacy: The narrative highlights Tolstoy's contributions to literature, including his iconic novels such as "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina," and explores the themes and influences that shaped his work. Social Impact: "The Life of Tolstoy" examines Tolstoy's engagement with social and philosophical issues, his advocacy for pacifism and social reform, and his influence on generations of writers and thinkers. Aylmer Maude was a British author, translator, and Tolstoyan who played a significant role in promoting the works and ideas of Leo Tolstoy. Through The Life of Tolstoy: First Fifty Years, Maude offers readers a comprehensive portrait of Tolstoy's life, work, and enduring legacy.

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