Summary
Prince Andrew climbs to an artillery battery to survey the battlefield, seeking the strategic overview that will help him understand the coming battle. From this vantage point, he can see both the Russian and French positions, sketching plans and imagining different scenarios like a chess master thinking several moves ahead. This is Andrew at his most analytical—the military strategist who believes wars can be won through careful planning and rational thought. But while he's absorbed in his tactical calculations, he overhears a conversation from a nearby shed that pulls him into deeper territory. Artillery officers are discussing death and what lies beyond it, with Captain Túshin—whom Andrew recognizes from an earlier encounter—philosophizing about fear of the unknown. One officer dismisses such talk, joking that artillery men have it easy because they can bring vodka and snacks to battle. The conversation reveals how soldiers cope with mortality—some through humor, others through deep thinking, all while facing the same uncertain fate. Just as Túshin begins to elaborate on his thoughts about the afterlife, a cannonball screams through the air and crashes near them, cutting short both philosophy and planning. The officers scatter to their duties, and the moment of reflection vanishes. This scene captures a fundamental truth about life: we make our plans and ponder our deepest questions, but reality has a way of interrupting with urgent, immediate demands. Andrew's strategic thinking and Túshin's philosophical musings both matter, but when the shooting starts, survival becomes the only strategy that counts.
Coming Up in Chapter 45
The battle Andrew has been planning for is about to begin in earnest. As the officers rush to their positions, we'll see how all that strategic thinking holds up when the real fighting starts.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Having ridden round the whole line from right flank to left, Prince Andrew made his way up to the battery from which the staff officer had told him the whole field could be seen. Here he dismounted, and stopped beside the farthest of the four unlimbered cannon. Before the guns an artillery sentry was pacing up and down; he stood at attention when the officer arrived, but at a sign resumed his measured, monotonous pacing. Behind the guns were their limbers and still farther back picket ropes and artillerymen’s bonfires. To the left, not far from the farthest cannon, was a small, newly constructed wattle shed from which came the sound of officers’ voices in eager conversation. It was true that a view over nearly the whole Russian position and the greater part of the enemy’s opened out from this battery. Just facing it, on the crest of the opposite hill, the village of Schön Grabern could be seen, and in three places to left and right the French troops amid the smoke of their campfires, the greater part of whom were evidently in the village itself and behind the hill. To the left from that village, amid the smoke, was something resembling a battery, but it was impossible to see it clearly with the naked eye. Our right flank was posted on a rather steep incline which dominated the French position. Our infantry were stationed there, and at the farthest point the dragoons. In the center, where Túshin’s battery stood and from which Prince Andrew was surveying the position, was the easiest and most direct descent and ascent to the brook separating us from Schön Grabern. On the left our troops were close to a copse, in which smoked the bonfires of our infantry who were felling wood. The French line was wider than ours, and it was plain that they could easily outflank us on both sides. Behind our position was a steep and deep dip, making it difficult for artillery and cavalry to retire. Prince Andrew took out his notebook and, leaning on the cannon, sketched a plan of the position. He made some notes on two points, intending to mention them to Bagratión. His idea was, first, to concentrate all the artillery in the center, and secondly, to withdraw the cavalry to the other side of the dip. Prince Andrew, being always near the commander in chief, closely following the mass movements and general orders, and constantly studying historical accounts of battles, involuntarily pictured to himself the course of events in the forthcoming action in broad outline. He imagined only important possibilities: “If the enemy attacks the right flank,” he said to himself, “the Kiev grenadiers and the Podólsk chasseurs must hold their position till reserves from the center come up. In that case the dragoons could successfully make a flank counterattack. If they attack our center we, having the center battery on this high ground, shall withdraw the left flank under its cover, and retreat...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Interrupted Plans
We create elaborate plans and deep analysis to feel in control, but reality operates on its own timeline and interrupts our preparations with immediate demands.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to make strategic plans while staying ready to abandon them when life demands immediate response.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're using planning as a way to avoid taking action, and practice starting something with incomplete information rather than waiting for the perfect plan.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Artillery battery
A group of cannons positioned together on a battlefield, usually on high ground for maximum range and visibility. The battery becomes a command center where officers can observe the entire battlefield and coordinate attacks.
Modern Usage:
Like a corporate headquarters or control room where managers get the big picture view to make strategic decisions.
Limbers
Two-wheeled carts that carry ammunition and supplies for cannons, and can be hitched to the guns to move them quickly. They're the support system that keeps the artillery functioning.
Modern Usage:
Think of the supply chain and logistics that keep any operation running - the behind-the-scenes support that makes the front-line work possible.
Picket ropes
Lines where horses are tied up near military camps, keeping the cavalry mounts secure but ready for quick deployment. Shows how armies had to manage both human and animal logistics.
Modern Usage:
Like designated parking areas or staging zones where resources are kept organized and accessible when needed.
Wattle shed
A simple shelter made from woven branches and twigs, quickly constructed for temporary protection. Military camps used these for basic shelter and meeting spaces.
Modern Usage:
Any makeshift workspace or temporary meeting area - like setting up a folding table in a garage or using a conference room for brainstorming.
Strategic overview
The ability to see the whole situation from above, understanding how all the pieces fit together rather than focusing on just one part. Military commanders need this perspective to make good decisions.
Modern Usage:
What managers try to get when they step back from daily tasks to see the bigger picture, or when you need to understand your whole life situation before making major changes.
Reconnaissance
Military scouting to gather information about enemy positions, strengths, and intentions before making strategic decisions. Knowledge gathering that reduces uncertainty in dangerous situations.
Modern Usage:
Like researching before any big decision - checking out a neighborhood before moving, researching a company before interviewing, or getting the lay of the land in any new situation.
Characters in This Chapter
Prince Andrew
Strategic observer
He climbs to the artillery position to get the full view of the battlefield, showing his methodical, analytical approach to warfare. He believes battles can be won through careful planning and rational assessment of positions.
Modern Equivalent:
The project manager who needs to see the whole operation before making decisions
Captain Túshin
Philosophical soldier
An artillery officer who thinks deeply about life and death while preparing for battle. He represents the thoughtful soldier who copes with danger through philosophical reflection rather than bravado.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who asks the deep questions during stressful times
Artillery sentry
Dutiful guard
Paces back and forth in front of the cannons, maintaining discipline and alertness even in routine moments. Shows how military structure continues even when nothing dramatic is happening.
Modern Equivalent:
The security guard or supervisor who maintains standards even when the boss isn't watching
Artillery officers
Coping soldiers
Discuss death and mortality while preparing for battle, showing different ways people handle fear - some through humor, others through deep thinking, all facing the same uncertain fate.
Modern Equivalent:
Coworkers making jokes or having serious talks during a crisis to deal with stress
Key Quotes & Analysis
"It was true that a view over nearly the whole Russian position and the greater part of the enemy's opened out from this battery."
Context: As Prince Andrew surveys the battlefield from the high artillery position
This shows the importance of perspective in understanding any complex situation. Andrew seeks the high ground literally and figuratively to grasp what's really happening before making decisions.
In Today's Words:
From up here, you could finally see the whole picture of what everyone was dealing with.
"Our right flank was posted on a rather steep incline which dominated the French position."
Context: Andrew assessing the tactical advantages of the Russian army's positioning
Military advantage often comes from taking the high ground - both literally in battle and metaphorically in life. Position and perspective determine power.
In Today's Words:
We had the better spot that gave us an advantage over the competition.
"Behind the guns were their limbers and still farther back picket ropes and artillerymen's bonfires."
Context: Describing the organized layout of the military position
Shows how even in chaos, successful operations require organization and logistics. The support systems behind the front lines are what make action possible.
In Today's Words:
Everything was set up in order - the main equipment up front, supplies behind that, and the basic necessities in the back.
Thematic Threads
Control
In This Chapter
Andrew believes strategic thinking can control battle outcomes while reality proves otherwise
Development
Builds on Andrew's earlier need to find meaning through military service
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you over-plan to avoid uncertainty about outcomes you can't actually control.
Class
In This Chapter
Officers can philosophize about death while common soldiers face it without intellectual luxury
Development
Continues Tolstoy's examination of how social position affects perspective
In Your Life:
You might see this in how economic security allows some people to treat problems as intellectual exercises while others face immediate consequences.
Mortality
In This Chapter
Túshin's philosophical discussion about death gets literally interrupted by potential death
Development
Introduced here as contrast between thinking about death and facing it
In Your Life:
You might notice this when health scares make abstract concerns about mortality suddenly very concrete.
Coping
In This Chapter
Different soldiers handle fear through humor, philosophy, or strategic thinking
Development
Builds on earlier scenes showing various characters' survival mechanisms
In Your Life:
You might recognize your own coping patterns when facing uncertainty or stress at work or home.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What was Prince Andrew trying to accomplish by climbing to the artillery battery, and what interrupted his work?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does the chapter show us both Andrew's strategic planning and Túshin's philosophical conversation about death before the cannonball arrives?
analysis • medium - 3
When have you experienced your own version of the cannonball moment—when careful planning got interrupted by immediate reality?
application • medium - 4
How do you balance the need to plan ahead with staying flexible enough to handle unexpected interruptions?
application • deep - 5
What does this scene reveal about how people cope with uncertainty—through analysis, philosophy, humor, or action?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Plan vs. Reality Audit
Think of a current plan you're working on—career move, family decision, personal goal. Write down your three main assumptions about how it will unfold. Then identify three potential 'cannonballs' that could interrupt this plan. For each interruption, brainstorm one flexible response that doesn't abandon your goal but adapts to new reality.
Consider:
- •Plans aren't worthless just because they get interrupted—they help you think through possibilities
- •The goal isn't to predict every problem but to build adaptability into your approach
- •Sometimes the interruption reveals a better path than your original plan
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when an unexpected interruption actually led to a better outcome than your original plan. What did that teach you about holding plans lightly while still taking purposeful action?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 45: The Battle Begins
In the next chapter, you'll discover leaders maintain calm authority during chaos, and learn presence matters more than perfect orders in crisis. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.