FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH OF TOLSTOY'S THE PHYSIOLOGY OF WAR: NAPOLEON AND THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN, 1888

TOLSTOY, Leo. Physiology of War. Napoleon and the Russian Campaign. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, (1888). Octavo, original gilt-stamped brown cloth, patterned endpapers. $275.

First edition in English of Tolstoy's extracted non-fiction historical essays from War and Peace about Napoleon, with frontispiece portrait and full-page map depicting the positions of the French and Russian battle lines, in publisher's cloth-gilt.

Tolstoy's War and Peace is often classified as a work of "realistic fiction," due to Tolstoy's decision to combine historical fiction with essays on philosophy and history. His historical essays, in particular, have been widely recognized as compelling and readable in their own right. Translated from the third French edition by translator Huntington Smith, this is the first appearance in English of a separate compilation of non-fiction essays on Napoleonic history from Tolstoy's War and Peace. This first edition in English (preceding the British first edition) includes a half paragraph later removed from Smith's preface. It reads: "If the Russian text of this book had been accessible, I should not have undertaken this version. But the Russian text is not at present to be had; it is doubtful if it has passed the ordeal of censorship and so, in default of a better, it is hoped that the public will accept this attempt with a kindly eye to its possible and probable shortcomings." With four pages of publisher's advertisements.

One signature slightly sprung, only minor wear to original cloth. Near-fine condition.