War and peace is a classic of universal literature. Tolstoy is, with Dostoevsky, the greatest author that Russian literature has given. The plot is developed mainly during the Napoleonic invasion of Russia following the interwoven history of four families:

The Bezújov family (essentially Pierre)
The Bolkonsky family (the old prince Nikolai Andreevich, the prince Andréi [or Andrew, depending on the translation], the princess Maria)
The Rostov family (Count Ilia Andreyevich, Natasha, Nikolai)
The Kuraguin family (Elena and Anatoly)

Alongside the fictional characters, who are traditionally considered as authentic supporters of the plot, numerous historical figures appear, less defined and perhaps less "human": the Emperor Napoleon I, the Russian Emperor Alexander I and General Kutúzov.

In this novel there are three central characters, including: Prince Andréi Bolkonsky, intelligent and scholar although unhappy; Count Pierre Bezukhov, the heir of a vast fortune and the problems of being an important person in Russian society and a friend of Prince Andrei; and Countess Natasha Rostova, a beautiful and friendly young woman, from a family with many debts.