We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

War and Peace Volume 4, Part 3, Chapter 2 Summary

  • Kutuzov's bit of reverse warfare helped the Russians win the war. But what else?
  • Guerrilla warfare – or, as it was called back in the day, partisan fighting.
  • Little groups of men – some soldiers acting outside orders, some civilians – kept hammering away at the edges of the French army. One such attack might mean nothing, but many are bound to eventually leave a dent.
  • For Tolstoy, the reason this kind of fighting works is that, yet again, it goes against traditional military history and strategy. Usually the idea is to attack with as giant a force as possible, but for Tolstoy, if the morale is right, you don’t need a ton of guys. With the right attitude, a little group can overcome a big horde.