Summary
Prince Andrew rides into battle alongside the seasoned General Kutuzov, dreaming of his moment of glory—his personal Toulon where he'll prove himself a hero. But reality proves messier than dreams. Kutuzov, the grizzled veteran, knows the troops aren't properly positioned yet. When the young Emperors arrive in their splendid uniforms, eager to begin the attack, they clash with Kutuzov's cautious wisdom. The old general tries to explain that this isn't a parade ground—real battle requires proper preparation. But authority trumps experience, and Kutuzov is forced to order the advance before his men are ready. The scene captures a universal workplace tension: the clash between those who understand the real work and those who hold the power to make decisions. Kutuzov's bitter compliance shows how experienced people often must choose between their professional judgment and keeping their jobs. Meanwhile, Prince Andrew watches it all, still caught up in romantic notions of warfare, not yet understanding that real leadership often means making impossible choices between bad options. The chapter reveals how hierarchies can force good people into bad decisions, and how the cost of those decisions falls on the people doing the actual work—in this case, soldiers marching into battle unprepared.
Coming Up in Chapter 65
As the Russian columns advance into the misty valley, Prince Andrew will finally get his chance to prove himself in battle. But will the reality of combat match his heroic dreams?
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
At eight o’clock Kutúzov rode to Pratzen at the head of the fourth column, Milorádovich’s, the one that was to take the place of Przebyszéwski’s and Langeron’s columns which had already gone down into the valley. He greeted the men of the foremost regiment and gave them the order to march, thereby indicating that he intended to lead that column himself. When he had reached the village of Pratzen he halted. Prince Andrew was behind, among the immense number forming the commander in chief’s suite. He was in a state of suppressed excitement and irritation, though controlledly calm as a man is at the approach of a long-awaited moment. He was firmly convinced that this was the day of his Toulon, or his bridge of Arcola. How it would come about he did not know, but he felt sure it would do so. The locality and the position of our troops were known to him as far as they could be known to anyone in our army. His own strategic plan, which obviously could not now be carried out, was forgotten. Now, entering into Weyrother’s plan, Prince Andrew considered possible contingencies and formed new projects such as might call for his rapidity of perception and decision. To the left down below in the mist, the musketry fire of unseen forces could be heard. It was there Prince Andrew thought the fight would concentrate. “There we shall encounter difficulties, and there,” thought he, “I shall be sent with a brigade or division, and there, standard in hand, I shall go forward and break whatever is in front of me.” He could not look calmly at the standards of the passing battalions. Seeing them he kept thinking, “That may be the very standard with which I shall lead the army.” In the morning all that was left of the night mist on the heights was a hoar frost now turning to dew, but in the valleys it still lay like a milk-white sea. Nothing was visible in the valley to the left into which our troops had descended and from whence came the sounds of firing. Above the heights was the dark clear sky, and to the right the vast orb of the sun. In front, far off on the farther shore of that sea of mist, some wooded hills were discernible, and it was there the enemy probably was, for something could be descried. On the right the Guards were entering the misty region with a sound of hoofs and wheels and now and then a gleam of bayonets; to the left beyond the village similar masses of cavalry came up and disappeared in the sea of mist. In front and behind moved infantry. The commander in chief was standing at the end of the village letting the troops pass by him. That morning Kutúzov seemed worn and irritable. The infantry passing before him came to a halt without any command being given, apparently obstructed by something in front. “Do order...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Experience vs. Authority
Those in power override those with knowledge, forcing experts to choose between their professional judgment and their job security.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when authority and expertise are misaligned, and predict the consequences of that misalignment.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone making decisions has never actually done the work they're directing—then watch how responsibility gets assigned when things go wrong.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Chain of Command
The military hierarchy where orders flow from top to bottom. In this chapter, we see how the young Emperors can override the experienced General Kutuzov even when he knows they're making a mistake. It shows how authority doesn't always align with expertise.
Modern Usage:
We see this in every workplace where the boss makes decisions that the experienced workers know won't work.
Toulon
A famous battle where Napoleon first made his reputation as a young officer. Prince Andrew dreams of having his own 'Toulon moment' - a defining victory that will make him famous. It represents the fantasy of sudden, dramatic success.
Modern Usage:
Like dreaming of your viral TikTok moment or the presentation that will get you promoted to CEO.
Strategic Plan
A detailed battle plan that coordinates all the moving pieces of an army. Prince Andrew had his own ideas about how the battle should go, but now has to work within someone else's plan. It shows how personal vision often gets overruled by institutional decisions.
Modern Usage:
When you have great ideas for improving your workplace but have to follow company policy instead.
Professional Judgment vs. Authority
The tension between what experienced people know is right and what those in power decide to do. Kutuzov knows the troops aren't ready, but the Emperors have the authority to order the attack anyway.
Modern Usage:
Every time a nurse knows a patient needs more time but insurance says discharge them, or a teacher knows a student needs help but has to follow the curriculum.
Suppressed Excitement
The feeling of anticipation mixed with anxiety that comes before a big moment. Prince Andrew is trying to stay calm and controlled while internally buzzing with nervous energy about his chance for glory.
Modern Usage:
How you feel right before a job interview, first date, or any moment you've been building up in your mind.
Suite
The group of officers and advisors who travel with a military commander. Prince Andrew is part of this entourage, which puts him close to power but also makes him just another face in the crowd.
Modern Usage:
Like being part of the CEO's inner circle or the popular group - you're close to the action but still not the one making decisions.
Characters in This Chapter
Prince Andrew
Ambitious protagonist
He's riding into battle full of romantic dreams about becoming a war hero. He's convinced this will be his moment of glory, his chance to prove himself. His excitement shows how young ambition can blind us to harsh realities.
Modern Equivalent:
The eager new employee who thinks they'll revolutionize the company in their first year
Kutuzov
Experienced mentor figure
The seasoned general who knows the troops aren't properly positioned yet but is being forced by higher authority to attack anyway. He represents the wisdom that comes from experience and the frustration of being overruled by those with less knowledge but more power.
Modern Equivalent:
The veteran supervisor who knows the right way to do things but has to follow orders from corporate
Milorádovich
Military subordinate
He leads one of the columns in the battle formation. His presence shows how military operations depend on multiple people coordinating their efforts, even when the overall plan might be flawed.
Modern Equivalent:
The department head who has to execute company strategy whether they agree with it or not
The Emperors
Authority figures
Though they appear briefly, their influence dominates the scene. They represent the power to make decisions that affect everyone else, often without fully understanding the consequences. Their eagerness to begin the attack overrides Kutuzov's professional caution.
Modern Equivalent:
The executives who make decisions from the boardroom without understanding what happens on the ground
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He was firmly convinced that this was the day of his Toulon, or his bridge of Arcola."
Context: Describing Prince Andrew's mindset as he rides into battle
This shows how Prince Andrew has built up this battle in his mind as his moment of destiny. He's comparing himself to Napoleon's famous early victories, revealing both his ambition and his naivety about what real battle is like.
In Today's Words:
He was sure this was going to be his big break, his moment to shine.
"His own strategic plan, which obviously could not now be carried out, was forgotten."
Context: Prince Andrew adapting to the official battle plan instead of his own ideas
This captures a universal experience - having to abandon your own good ideas to work within someone else's system. It shows maturity and pragmatism, but also the frustration of not being in control.
In Today's Words:
He had to forget about his own ideas and just go with the program.
"There we shall encounter difficulties, and there, I shall be sent with a brigade or division."
Context: His thoughts about where the real fighting will happen
Prince Andrew is already imagining himself being given an important command when things get tough. It shows his confidence and ambition, but also how he's still thinking about personal glory rather than the bigger picture.
In Today's Words:
That's where things will get messy, and that's where they'll need me to step up.
Thematic Threads
Authority
In This Chapter
Young emperors override experienced general's military judgment, forcing premature attack
Development
Builds on earlier scenes of imperial privilege, showing how power corrupts decision-making
In Your Life:
You see this when your boss makes decisions about work they don't actually do
Experience
In This Chapter
Kutuzov's hard-won battlefield knowledge is dismissed by those who've never seen real combat
Development
Contrasts with Prince Andrew's romantic notions, showing the gap between theory and practice
In Your Life:
Your years of hands-on experience matter more than someone else's impressive title
Compromise
In This Chapter
Kutuzov must choose between his professional judgment and keeping his position of influence
Development
Shows how institutional pressure forces good people into bad decisions
In Your Life:
You face this when standing up for what's right might cost you your job
Consequences
In This Chapter
Soldiers will die because emperors wanted their moment of glory without proper preparation
Development
Demonstrates how the powerful rarely pay the price for their poor decisions
In Your Life:
The people doing the real work always bear the cost of bad leadership decisions
Illusion
In This Chapter
Prince Andrew still dreams of personal glory while watching institutional dysfunction unfold
Development
His romantic ideals persist despite witnessing the messy reality of power and war
In Your Life:
You might cling to idealistic notions even when reality shows you something different
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific conflict happens between Kutuzov and the young emperors, and what does each side want?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Kutuzov comply with orders he knows are wrong, and what does this reveal about workplace power dynamics?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this pattern of authority overruling expertise in your own workplace, school, or family situations?
application • medium - 4
If you were in Kutuzov's position—knowing your boss's decision will cause problems—how would you handle the situation?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between power and responsibility, and why those making decisions often don't face the consequences?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Workplace Power Dynamic
Think of a recent decision at your workplace that you disagreed with. Draw a simple diagram showing who made the decision, who had to implement it, and who faced the consequences. Then write a brief plan for how you would handle a similar situation in the future, using Kutuzov's dilemma as a guide.
Consider:
- •Consider who actually understands the day-to-day work versus who holds decision-making power
- •Think about the costs of speaking up versus staying silent in your specific workplace culture
- •Identify potential allies who share your expertise and could support your position
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to choose between following orders you knew were wrong or risking your position by speaking up. What did you learn about navigating authority, and what would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 65: The Sky Above the Battle
In the next chapter, you'll discover chaos can reveal what truly matters in life, and learn leadership sometimes means acting despite overwhelming fear. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.