View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-should-you-read-tolstoy-s-war-and-peace-brendan-pelsue

"War and Peace." A tome. A slog. The sort of book you shouldn’t read in bed because if you fall asleep it could give you a concussion. Right? Only partly. "War and Peace" is a long book, sure, but it’s also a thrilling examination of history populated with some of the deepest, most realistic characters you’ll find anywhere. Brendan Pelsue shares everything you need to know to read this classic book.

Lesson by Brendan Pelsue, animation by Patrick Smith.