Leo Tolstoy · 1869 · overland

Leo Tolstoy's 1869 epic of Russia in the Napoleonic age follows the Rostovs, Bolkonskys and Pierre Bezukhov through war and peace; this route traces the war that consumes its second half, Napoleon's catastrophic invasion of 1812. The Grande Armee's march from the Niemen to a burning Moscow by way of Borodino, and the annihilating retreat through the snow to the Berezina and out again, is the current that sweeps Tolstoy's characters up and, for some, destroys them.

1. 1
   The Niemen

   In June 1812 the Grande Armee, six hundred thousand strong, crosses the Niemen into Russia.

2. 2
   Vilna

   The advance through Vilna,

3. 3
   Vitebsk

   and Vitebsk, the Russians always withdrawing before them.

4. 4
   Smolensk

   The first great collision at Smolensk, which burns.

5. 5
   Borodino

   And the bloodiest day of the age at Borodino, where Prince Andrei is struck down and Pierre wanders the carnage.

6. 6
   Moscow

   Napoleon enters a deserted Moscow, which burns around him; Pierre is taken prisoner.

7. 7
   Smolensk

   Then the retreat, back along the ravaged road through Smolensk, in the killing cold.

8. 8
   The Berezina

   And the catastrophe at the Berezina crossing, where the army comes apart.

9. 9
   The Niemen

   Of the host that crossed the Niemen, a frozen remnant staggers back over it.