The Spiritual Works of Leo Tolstoy (eBook)

Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, commonly known as Leo Tolstoy, was a Russian novelist and thinker, born on September 9, 1828, at Yasnaya Polyana, his family's estate in the Tula Province of Russia. He is often considered one of the greatest novelists of all time due to his profound works in literature. Tolstoy's literary style is characterized by his narrative depth, moral questioning, and meticulous realist detail which combined to form his distinct philosophical ponderings on life. His acclaimed novels 'War and Peace' (1869) and 'Anna Karenina' (1877) epitomize this style, painting a vivid portrayal of Russian life and the human condition. Beyond his fictional work, Tolstoy contributed heavily to the field of spiritual and religious thought. In 'The Spiritual Works of Leo Tolstoy,' a collection that reflects his radical theology and ethical reflections, Tolstoy exhibits his pursuit of truth and nonviolent resistance to evil, which later influenced figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. His spiritual writings argue for the attainment of a pure life and advocate for Christian anarchism, steeped in the doctrines of the Sermon on the Mount. Tolstoy passed away on November 20, 1910, but his extensive oeuvre, which also includes short stories, plays, and philosophical essays, continues to resonate and stimulate scholarly and existential dialogues to this day.