Reason #1 people don’t read War and Peace: Too many names.

In past versions, one character may have a half-dozen names. Some characters even share the same name. In this edition, all characters have only one name.

Reason #2: Too many phrases in French and other languages.

In this edition, I translated all foreign words into English and marked them with italics. Readers no longer have to refer to footnotes or look up foreign phrases that past translators assumed readers knew the meaning of.

Reason #3: Too many awkwardly translated phrases.

In this edition, I corrected the most egregious mistranslations. Examples include “rudenesses,” “scarriages,” and “beshashed.” I also adjusted many sentences that I felt were awkwardly translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude in their 1922 translation.

Reason #4: Too long.

With the above alterations in this edition of War and Peace, the novel is so clear and engaging that modern readers won't want it to end! After all, few people think the Downton Abbey series is too long. I hope that with the simplification of names and other edits in this new edition of War and Peace, readers will find this novel similarly enjoyable.

-Tomkin Coleman

December 2022