WAR AND PEACE. A Novel by Leo Tolstoy. A New and Complete Translation from the Russian, by Constance Garnett. TOLSTOY, Leo. Published William Heinemann, London 1904. First Constance Garnett edition. Printed by T. and A. Constable, three volumes, hardcover, 9" x 6", dark green cloth with embossed gilt printing on the spine and embossed printers device on the rear covers, top edge gilt, red and black printed title pages, 516, 518, 502 pages. VERY GOOD Condition: light wear and small staining to the covers, top edge gilt dusted, foxing to the page edges, and spots of foxing here and there throughout but mostly on the first and last 25 pages, overall tight, bright, clean and unmarked.

This historically significant 1904 three volume set features the acclaimed translation by Constance Garnett. While earlier, indirect translations existed, Garnett's translation was crucial in bringing Tolstoy's Russian text directly to English readers. Garnett was recognized for being the first to translate this epic directly from Russian rather than via French.

The novel, first published in 1869, explores the lives of aristocratic Russian families during the Napoleonic Wars.

Constance Clara Garnett (1861-1946) was an important translator of Russian literature of the late nineteenth century, with her editions of works by Tolstoy, Anton Chekov and Fyodor Dostoevsky marking their first serious appearance in English. Her translations remain relevant and inspire debate to this day.