Summary
Young Rostóv gets thrust into the heart of battle when Prince Bagratión cleverly sends him on an impossible mission—finding the commander-in-chief across six miles of active battlefield. Bagratión knows this is really just a way to avoid making decisions and dodge responsibility for starting the attack. Meanwhile, Rostóv buzzes with excitement and confidence, seeing this as his big moment to prove himself and maybe even meet the Emperor. As he rides through the battle, everything seems thrilling at first—the sounds of cannon fire energize rather than frighten him. But reality hits hard when he nearly gets trampled by charging Horse Guards, witnesses the brutal aftermath of cavalry charges, and encounters wounded soldiers. The chapter's turning point comes when Rostóv discovers something terrifying: Russian and Austrian troops are shooting at each other in the confusion. Panic sets in as he realizes the battle isn't going as planned. The fog of war isn't just literal smoke—it's the complete breakdown of communication and coordination. Tolstoy shows us how quickly confidence can crumble when faced with chaos, and how those in charge often send others to handle what they're afraid to face themselves. Rostóv's journey from naive excitement to dawning horror mirrors how many people experience their first real crisis—the gap between expectation and brutal reality.
Coming Up in Chapter 67
As confusion spreads across the battlefield and friendly forces fire on each other, Rostóv must navigate through the chaos to complete his mission. Will he find the commander-in-chief, or will the collapsing battle consume him first?
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
On our right flank commanded by Bagratión, at nine o’clock the battle had not yet begun. Not wishing to agree to Dolgorúkov’s demand to commence the action, and wishing to avert responsibility from himself, Prince Bagratión proposed to Dolgorúkov to send to inquire of the commander in chief. Bagratión knew that as the distance between the two flanks was more than six miles, even if the messenger were not killed (which he very likely would be), and found the commander in chief (which would be very difficult), he would not be able to get back before evening. Bagratión cast his large, expressionless, sleepy eyes round his suite, and the boyish face of Rostóv, breathless with excitement and hope, was the first to catch his eye. He sent him. “And if I should meet His Majesty before I meet the commander in chief, your excellency?” said Rostóv, with his hand to his cap. “You can give the message to His Majesty,” said Dolgorúkov, hurriedly interrupting Bagratión. On being relieved from picket duty Rostóv had managed to get a few hours’ sleep before morning and felt cheerful, bold, and resolute, with elasticity of movement, faith in his good fortune, and generally in that state of mind which makes everything seem possible, pleasant, and easy. All his wishes were being fulfilled that morning: there was to be a general engagement in which he was taking part, more than that, he was orderly to the bravest general, and still more, he was going with a message to Kutúzov, perhaps even to the sovereign himself. The morning was bright, he had a good horse under him, and his heart was full of joy and happiness. On receiving the order he gave his horse the rein and galloped along the line. At first he rode along the line of Bagratión’s troops, which had not yet advanced into action but were standing motionless; then he came to the region occupied by Uvárov’s cavalry and here he noticed a stir and signs of preparation for battle; having passed Uvárov’s cavalry he clearly heard the sound of cannon and musketry ahead of him. The firing grew louder and louder. In the fresh morning air were now heard, not two or three musket shots at irregular intervals as before, followed by one or two cannon shots, but a roll of volleys of musketry from the slopes of the hill before Pratzen, interrupted by such frequent reports of cannon that sometimes several of them were not separated from one another but merged into a general roar. He could see puffs of musketry smoke that seemed to chase one another down the hillsides, and clouds of cannon smoke rolling, spreading, and mingling with one another. He could also, by the gleam of bayonets visible through the smoke, make out moving masses of infantry and narrow lines of artillery with green caissons. Rostóv stopped his horse for a moment on a hillock to see what was going on, but strain his attention as...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Borrowed Authority
Those in power delegate impossible tasks to subordinates to avoid responsibility while maintaining their own status and protection.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when authority figures delegate impossible tasks to protect themselves while setting subordinates up to fail.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone in power gives you a task but won't provide the resources or authority needed to complete it successfully.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Fog of war
The confusion and chaos that happens during battle when nobody really knows what's going on. Communication breaks down, plans fall apart, and even allies can't tell who's who.
Modern Usage:
We use this for any chaotic situation where information is unclear - like during a crisis at work or a family emergency.
Chain of command
The military hierarchy where orders flow from top to bottom. Everyone has someone above them giving orders and someone below them following orders.
Modern Usage:
Every workplace has this - your boss reports to their boss, who reports to their boss, all the way up.
Passing the buck
When someone in charge avoids making a difficult decision by sending someone else to handle it or get permission from higher up.
Modern Usage:
Happens constantly in offices when managers say 'let me check with my supervisor' to avoid taking responsibility.
Battle fatigue
The mental and physical exhaustion that comes from being in combat or high-stress situations for too long. It affects judgment and courage.
Modern Usage:
We see this in healthcare workers, first responders, or anyone dealing with prolonged crisis situations.
Orderly
A junior officer or soldier assigned to carry messages and assist a higher-ranking officer. It was considered an honor but also very dangerous.
Modern Usage:
Like being the assistant who has to deliver bad news to the CEO or handle the boss's most stressful tasks.
Friendly fire
When your own side accidentally attacks you because of confusion, poor communication, or mistaken identity during battle.
Modern Usage:
Any situation where people on the same team end up working against each other due to miscommunication.
Characters in This Chapter
Prince Bagratión
Commanding general
He's supposed to lead the attack but doesn't want to take responsibility for starting it. Instead of making the call himself, he cleverly sends Rostóv on an impossible mission to find the commander-in-chief.
Modern Equivalent:
The manager who won't make tough decisions without getting approval from three levels up
Rostóv
Young messenger/protagonist
Full of excitement and confidence at the start, he thinks this dangerous mission is his big break. As he rides through the battlefield, reality crashes down on him when he sees the chaos and carnage.
Modern Equivalent:
The eager new employee who volunteers for everything until they realize what they've gotten into
Dolgorúkov
Demanding officer
He's pushing for immediate action and wants someone else to take responsibility for the decision. He interrupts Bagratión and adds pressure to the situation.
Modern Equivalent:
The impatient colleague who keeps pushing for action but doesn't want to be the one making the call
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Bagratión knew that as the distance between the two flanks was more than six miles, even if the messenger were not killed, he would not be able to get back before evening."
Context: When Bagratión decides to send Rostóv on the impossible mission
This shows Bagratión is deliberately avoiding responsibility by sending Rostóv on a mission he knows is pointless. It's a calculated move to buy time and shift blame.
In Today's Words:
He knew this was basically a suicide mission that wouldn't accomplish anything, but it got him off the hook.
"All his wishes were being fulfilled that morning: there was to be a general engagement in which he was taking part, more than that, he was orderly to the bravest general."
Context: Describing Rostóv's excitement before he understands the reality of battle
Rostóv is living in a fantasy where war is glorious and he's the hero. This innocent enthusiasm makes his coming disillusionment even more powerful.
In Today's Words:
Everything was going perfectly - he was finally going to be part of something big and important.
"You can give the message to His Majesty."
Context: When Rostóv asks what to do if he meets the Emperor first
Dolgorúkov is so eager to avoid responsibility that he's willing to have a junior officer bother the Emperor directly. It shows how the pressure is making everyone act irrationally.
In Today's Words:
Sure, just go straight to the CEO if you can't find the department head.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Bagratión uses his aristocratic position to send lower-ranking Rostóv into danger while staying safely removed from consequences
Development
Continues the book's exploration of how class determines who takes risks versus who stays protected
In Your Life:
You might see this when managers from different backgrounds treat working-class employees as more expendable
Identity
In This Chapter
Rostóv's identity as an ambitious young officer makes him vulnerable to manipulation and eager to accept impossible missions
Development
Shows how personal identity can be weaponized against us by those who understand our desires
In Your Life:
Your professional identity or family role might make you the go-to person for thankless tasks
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Military hierarchy creates expectations that subordinates will accept dangerous assignments without question
Development
Builds on earlier chapters showing how social systems pressure individuals into harmful compliance
In Your Life:
You might feel pressured to accept unreasonable demands because 'that's just how things work' in your workplace or family
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Rostóv's journey from naive excitement to dawning horror represents the painful education that comes from real experience
Development
Continues Tolstoy's theme that true growth requires confronting harsh realities rather than romantic ideals
In Your Life:
You might recognize moments when your assumptions about a situation were shattered by actual experience
Power
In This Chapter
Bagratión demonstrates how real power operates through delegation and distance rather than direct action
Development
Introduced here as a new dimension of how authority protects itself
In Your Life:
You might notice how those with real decision-making power rarely face the direct consequences of their choices
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Prince Bagratión send young Rostóv on what he knows is an impossible mission across the battlefield?
analysis • surface - 2
How does Rostóv's excitement and ambition make him vulnerable to being used by his superior?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of 'borrowed authority' in modern workplaces—bosses giving impossible tasks to avoid responsibility themselves?
application • medium - 4
What warning signs should you look for when someone in authority gives you a high-stakes assignment that seems designed to fail?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about how power protects itself by sacrificing those seeking advancement?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Impossible Assignment
Think of a time when you were given a task that seemed important but felt impossible to complete successfully. Map out who would benefit if you succeeded versus who would take blame if you failed. Write down three questions you wish you had asked before accepting the assignment.
Consider:
- •Was the person giving the assignment taking any personal risk if it failed?
- •Did you have the actual authority and resources needed to succeed?
- •Were you chosen because of your skills or because you were expendable?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a situation where your eagerness to prove yourself might have made you an easy target for someone else's agenda. How would you handle it differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 67: When Leaders Disappear and Soldiers Must Choose
The coming pages reveal to act when authority figures abandon their posts during crisis, and teach us paralysis in crucial moments can be more dangerous than imperfect action. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.