Power and Liberty

(edited and introduced by Albert Meltzer)

Nonfiction, History, Revolutionary, World History, Biography & Memoir, Political
Cover of the book Power and Liberty by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer, ChristieBooks
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer ISBN: 1230000274801
Publisher: ChristieBooks Publication: October 17, 2014
Imprint: ChristieBooks Language: English
Author: Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
ISBN: 1230000274801
Publisher: ChristieBooks
Publication: October 17, 2014
Imprint: ChristieBooks
Language: English

In this essay, Tolstoy maintains his theory of great men as the myths and tickets of history. History, he asserts, must give up the idea that great men rule us, and busy itself with the discovery of the idea of humanity. One looks for the overthrow of the French Empire not in this or that decision of Napoleon, but in the various factors down to the corporal who enlisted for the bounty once too often. What causes that great motion, the People, to brim over into an historic event? Nobody nowadays believes that the French Revolution happened because Marie-Antoinette was somewhat careless with her jewellery; but many people believe that Churchill, or Stalin, “won the war”, or that Hitler, personally, lost it. Moreover, the whole defence of Nazi war criminals — “we acted under orders” — is relevant to Tolstoy’s critique: it is not your great men who order history. It is a combination of circumstances in which the great man acts merely as the reference-card in the history book. It is not denied that they too like all other individuals play their part in history; but that role is not so decisive as those who wish to avoid responsibility admit. “The great are only great because we are on our knees".

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this essay, Tolstoy maintains his theory of great men as the myths and tickets of history. History, he asserts, must give up the idea that great men rule us, and busy itself with the discovery of the idea of humanity. One looks for the overthrow of the French Empire not in this or that decision of Napoleon, but in the various factors down to the corporal who enlisted for the bounty once too often. What causes that great motion, the People, to brim over into an historic event? Nobody nowadays believes that the French Revolution happened because Marie-Antoinette was somewhat careless with her jewellery; but many people believe that Churchill, or Stalin, “won the war”, or that Hitler, personally, lost it. Moreover, the whole defence of Nazi war criminals — “we acted under orders” — is relevant to Tolstoy’s critique: it is not your great men who order history. It is a combination of circumstances in which the great man acts merely as the reference-card in the history book. It is not denied that they too like all other individuals play their part in history; but that role is not so decisive as those who wish to avoid responsibility admit. “The great are only great because we are on our knees".

More books from ChristieBooks

Cover of the book NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI. A Prince Among Men by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book ANARCHIST CINEMA DURING THE SPANISH REVOLUTION AND CIVIL WAR. by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book STEFANO DELLE CHIAIE by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book Librado Rivera. Anarchists in the Mexican Revolution by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book THE CNT AT THE CROSSROADS — Extracts by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book Cuando la patria mata by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book THE RUSSIAN PEASANT by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book THE DA VINCI CON by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book A WINK, A NOD, OR A SHAKE OF THE HAND by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book WAR & REVOLUTION by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book The CNT in the Spanish Revolution Vol 2 by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book TWO INNOCENTS GARROTED by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book People Without Government by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book CIPRIANO MERA — GUERRA, EXILIO Y CÁRCEL DE UN ANARCOSINDICALISTA by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
Cover of the book THE HISTORY OF NATIONAL SOCIALISM by Leo Tolstoy, Albert Meltzer
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy