Original Text(~250 words)
CHAPTER XVII Mounting his horse again Prince Andrew lingered with the battery, looking at the puff from the gun that had sent the ball. His eyes ran rapidly over the wide space, but he only saw that the hitherto motionless masses of the French now swayed and that there really was a battery to their left. The smoke above it had not yet dispersed. Two mounted Frenchmen, probably adjutants, were galloping up the hill. A small but distinctly visible enemy column was moving down the hill, probably to strengthen the front line. The smoke of the first shot had not yet dispersed before another puff appeared, followed by a report. The battle had begun! Prince Andrew turned his horse and galloped back to Grunth to find Prince Bagratión. He heard the cannonade behind him growing louder and more frequent. Evidently our guns had begun to reply. From the bottom of the slope, where the parleys had taken place, came the report of musketry. Lemarrois had just arrived at a gallop with Bonaparte’s stern letter, and Murat, humiliated and anxious to expiate his fault, had at once moved his forces to attack the center and outflank both the Russian wings, hoping before evening and before the arrival of the Emperor to crush the contemptible detachment that stood before him. “It has begun. Here it is!” thought Prince Andrew, feeling the blood rush to his heart. “But where and how will my Toulon present itself?” Passing between the companies that had been...
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Summary
The long-anticipated battle finally erupts as Prince Andrew witnesses the first shots fired between French and Russian forces. He races back to report to Prince Bagratión, his heart pounding with a mixture of dread and excitement that he sees reflected in every soldier's face. The atmosphere crackles with nervous energy as men who were eating breakfast minutes before now prepare for combat. Prince Andrew observes Bagratión's leadership style with fascination—the general gives few direct orders but somehow makes every necessary action seem like it was his intention all along. His calm presence transforms anxious officers and energizes the troops, even as the battle intensifies around them. Meanwhile, Captain Túshin's artillery battery operates with resourceful independence, deciding on their own to shell a French-occupied village. The chapter captures that pivotal moment when anticipation transforms into reality, showing how different personalities—from the eager Prince Andrew to the naive accountant who came to 'see a battle'—react when faced with actual violence. Tolstoy reveals how leadership in crisis isn't about barking orders but about projecting confidence that helps others find their courage. The battle serves as a crucible that will test every character's true nature.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Adjutant
A military officer who serves as an assistant to a higher-ranking officer, carrying messages and orders between commanders. They're essentially the communication network that keeps an army functioning during battle.
Modern Usage:
Like the executive assistant who manages all communication between departments during a crisis at work.
Battery
A group of artillery guns positioned together to fire on enemy targets. In Napoleonic warfare, these cannons were crucial for breaking enemy lines and providing cover for advancing troops.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how we coordinate multiple resources to tackle a big problem - like using all available staff during a hospital emergency.
Cannonade
Continuous artillery fire, the thunderous barrage of cannons that marked the beginning of major battles. The sound could be heard for miles and created both physical and psychological impact.
Modern Usage:
Like the overwhelming flood of notifications, calls, and demands that hit you during a workplace crisis.
Outflank
A military tactic where you attack the sides or rear of an enemy force instead of hitting them head-on. It's about finding the weak spot rather than charging into their strength.
Modern Usage:
Like going around a difficult boss by building relationships with their peers instead of confronting them directly.
Detachment
A smaller military unit separated from the main army, often left in a vulnerable position. These units had to rely on their own resources and leadership when cut off from support.
Modern Usage:
Like being the skeleton crew left to handle things when most of your team is out sick or on vacation.
Parley
A discussion or negotiation between opposing forces, usually held before battle to try to resolve conflict without fighting. These meetings often failed but showed both sides were aware of the stakes.
Modern Usage:
Like the tense meeting with HR before someone gets fired, where everyone knows what's probably going to happen.
Characters in This Chapter
Prince Andrew
Protagonist observer
He witnesses the first shots of battle and races to report back, his heart pounding with excitement and dread. This moment reveals his hunger for glory and his romantic view of war, even as reality begins to intrude.
Modern Equivalent:
The ambitious young professional who volunteers for high-stakes projects
Prince Bagratión
Military leader
The Russian general who demonstrates masterful leadership through calm presence rather than frantic orders. He makes every necessary action seem like it was his plan all along, inspiring confidence in his troops.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced manager who stays cool during emergencies and makes everyone feel capable
Murat
French commander
The French marshal who, humiliated by earlier mistakes, rushes into attack to redeem himself. His personal need for vindication drives him to make aggressive tactical decisions.
Modern Equivalent:
The supervisor who makes reckless decisions trying to recover from a previous mistake
Captain Túshin
Artillery officer
Commands his battery with resourceful independence, making tactical decisions on his own initiative. He represents the practical soldier who gets things done without waiting for orders.
Modern Equivalent:
The reliable employee who takes initiative and solves problems without being micromanaged
Bonaparte
Distant authority
Though not physically present, his stern letter drives Murat's aggressive actions. He represents the pressure from higher authority that influences decisions on the ground.
Modern Equivalent:
The corporate executive whose demands trickle down and create pressure at every level
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to distinguish between panic leadership (loud, controlling, creating more chaos) and presence leadership (calm, empowering, creating space for solutions).
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're in any stressful situation—family argument, work deadline, friend's emergency—and try lowering your voice instead of raising it, asking 'What do you need?' instead of giving unsolicited advice.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"It has begun. Here it is!"
Context: His thoughts as he witnesses the first shots of battle
This captures the moment when anticipation transforms into reality. Prince Andrew has been waiting for his chance at glory, and now faces the actual violence of war rather than its romantic ideal.
In Today's Words:
This is it - what I've been waiting for is finally happening.
"But where and how will my Toulon present itself?"
Context: His internal thoughts about finding his moment of glory in battle
He's referring to Napoleon's breakthrough at Toulon that launched his career. Prince Andrew is looking for his own career-defining moment, showing his ambition and naivety about war.
In Today's Words:
When will I get my big break to prove myself?
"The hitherto motionless masses of the French now swayed"
Context: Describing the moment the battle begins
Tolstoy shows how quickly static situations can explode into chaos. The word 'swayed' suggests both physical movement and the uncertainty that comes with action.
In Today's Words:
Everything that had been still suddenly started moving.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Crisis Leadership - When Everything Changes in an Instant
True leadership in crisis emerges through calm presence that empowers others, not through loud control that creates dependency.
Thematic Threads
Leadership
In This Chapter
Bagratión leads through quiet confidence rather than direct orders, empowering others to act decisively
Development
Introduced here as contrast to previous scenes of aristocratic posturing
In Your Life:
You might see this when comparing managers who panic-delegate versus those who stay calm and trust their team's abilities.
Class
In This Chapter
Military hierarchy dissolves under battle pressure as competence matters more than rank
Development
Evolution from earlier ballroom scenes where class determined everything
In Your Life:
You might notice how emergencies reveal who actually has skills versus who just has titles.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Prince Andrew discovers his capacity for courage and clear thinking under extreme pressure
Development
Continuing his journey from aimless aristocrat toward finding his purpose
In Your Life:
You might recognize how crisis situations often reveal strengths you didn't know you had.
Identity
In This Chapter
Characters discover who they really are when stripped of peacetime pretenses
Development
Building on earlier themes of social masks versus authentic self
In Your Life:
You might see this when high-stress situations force people to drop their usual personas and show their true character.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Shared danger creates instant bonds between soldiers who were strangers moments before
Development
Introduced here as counterpoint to artificial social connections seen earlier
In Your Life:
You might notice how facing challenges together—whether work crises or family emergencies—can create deeper connections than years of small talk.
Modern Adaptation
When the Crisis Hits
Following Andrew's story...
Andrew's been volunteering at the community center's emergency shelter when a water main break floods three city blocks, sending dozens of families their way with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The regular coordinator called in sick, leaving Andrew—who usually just sorts donations—suddenly in charge. His first instinct is to panic, start barking orders, create lists and systems. But watching Maria, the veteran volunteer, he notices something different. She doesn't shout directions or micromanage. Instead, she moves calmly from family to family, asking 'What do you need most right now?' Her steady presence somehow makes the chaos feel manageable. Other volunteers start taking initiative—someone organizes the clothing donations, another starts making calls for temporary housing. Andrew realizes the families aren't looking for someone with all the answers; they need someone who won't add to their panic. He takes a breath, lowers his voice, and asks the next family, 'How can we help?' Suddenly, he's not drowning in the emergency—he's navigating it.
The Road
The road Prince Bagratión walked in 1805, Andrew walks today. The pattern is identical: real leadership in crisis emerges not through control but through calm presence that helps others find their own strength.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for crisis leadership—the recognition that your energy becomes everyone else's anchor. When chaos erupts, your steady presence creates space for others' competence to emerge.
Amplification
Before reading this, Andrew might have thought leadership meant having all the answers and taking charge through force of will. Now he can NAME calm presence as true authority, PREDICT that panic leadership creates more chaos, and NAVIGATE crises by becoming the steady center others can orbit around.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does Prince Bagratión lead differently from what you might expect during a battle?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Bagratión's calm approach work better than shouting orders would?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this kind of 'quiet leadership' work in your own workplace or family?
application • medium - 4
When you're in a stressful situation, how do you decide between taking control or stepping back to let others act?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how people discover their own courage?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Crisis Leadership Style
Think of a recent stressful situation you faced—at work, home, or in your community. Write down exactly how you responded: your tone of voice, your body language, the specific words you used. Now rewrite that same scenario using Bagratión's approach—staying calm, asking questions instead of giving orders, creating space for others to contribute solutions.
Consider:
- •Notice whether your first instinct was to control or to guide
- •Consider how your energy affected the people around you
- •Think about which approach would have gotten better results
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's calm presence helped you find your own strength during a difficult moment. What exactly did they do or not do that made the difference?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 46: When the Smoke Clears
As the story unfolds, you'll explore leaders perform under pressure when everything is chaos, while uncovering clear communication breaks down in crisis situations. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.