Sevastopol Stories

Sevastopol Stories (1855 – 1856) – a cycle of three works by Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy, dedicated to the defense of Sevastopol.
Tolstoy participated in military actions in the Caucasus for more than three years (1851 – 1854). In recounting the defenders of Sevastopol, Tolstoy discovered a new talent in himself – that of a military writer. He told the true story of war, of martial valor and bravery, overcoming fear. The writer came to better understand and love the simple Russian people – soldiers, officers; he felt himself a part of a vast whole – the people, the army, defending their land.
High humanity and the glorification of peace as the natural state of life are combined in the Sevastopol Stories with patriotic inspiration.
The book also includes two stories "The Cutting of the Forest" and "The Blizzard," written during the same period.