The Kingdom of God is Within You [Hardcover]

Leo Tolstoy (Author), Leo Wiener (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2007

He is considered one of the greatest novelists in any language in all of human history, but Leo Tolstoy was also an influential social reformer and peace advocate. Subtitled "Christianity Not as a Mystical Teaching but as a New Concept of Life," this powerful exploration of the preachings of Jesus from a pacifistic perspective. First published in 1893, it introduced such important 20th-century figures as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King to the concept of nonviolent resistance. This edition is vital reading for anyone wishing to understand the history of protest around the world or gain a deeper appreciation of pacifistic Christianity. Russian writer COUNT LEV ("LEO") NIKOLAYEVICH TOLSTOY (1828-1910) is best known for his novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877). Translation by Harvard professor of Slavic languages, Leo Weiner (1862-1939).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A highly significant book."—Ernest J. Simmons, Leo Tolstoy

(Ernest J. Simmons )

"The keystone of Tolstoy’s entire ethical structure."—Henri Troyat, Tolstoy

(Henri Troyat ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Cosimo Classics (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602067465
• ISBN-13: 978-1602067462
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,700,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) wrote two of the great novels of the nineteenth century, War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

173 of 176 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not to be taken lightly!, June 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kingdom of God Is within You (Paperback)

Thank you Leo Tolstoy for giving the world such a profound gift. This book was banned in Tolstoy's homeland, Russia, because it was considered revolutionary, it inspired Mohandas Ghandi to align his life with the Truth at any cost, and with the insanely universal dependence by nation states upon the military option, this book remains as relevant as it was on the day it was published in 1894.

Admittedly, this is not a quick read. At times, one can feel bogged down in Tolstoy's meticulous arguments. But taken as a whole, it is an inspired and inspiring work which will without fail prod the attentive reader to scrutinize one's life -- beliefs AND actions.

I believe this book will resurface time and again in the non-violent mass movements of the coming century. Read it. Absorb it. Assimilate it. The truth as revealed in this book will indeed set us all free!

146 of 165 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Ghandi to YOU, June 4, 2002

By 

Abrams (Schaumburg, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kingdom of God Is within You (Paperback)

This is the book which sparked the spiritual revolution in Ghandi, and helped make him the unbelieveable man he was. Ghandi raved about this book in his autobiography, and I couldn't agree more. This could quite possibly be the best book I have ever read. However, two years ago I wouldn't have gotten all that I have out of it. It came in the perfect time of my spiritual awakening. By the very Truth of you reading what I am saying I would suggest you get this book RIGHT NOW! You are ready to hear what he has to say, and it will make you a better person and thus making our world better. Tolstoy is a remarkable spiritual revolutionist, and he will open your eyes to the works of others that have been suppressed throughout time. Good luck to you and take care out there!

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely thought provoking, one of the best books I've read, December 8, 1998

By 

Nitin Thakkar "belanitin" (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Kingdom of God Is within You (Paperback)

Reading this book can, hopefully, change how persons think about truth and non-violence. No doubt Gandhi was overwhelmed by it (and tried to practise it). They lived in the same time. If everyone practices even an iota of the observations and yearning for truth from this book, the world would be a better place to live in. Definitely recommended for all who seek the Truth and are willing to try.