Leo Tolstoy's 'War and Peace,' published in its entirety in 1869, is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written. It is famous not just for its literary quality but also for its staggering length and scope. The novel contains over 500,000 words and features a cast of more than 500 characters, blending fictional families with historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, it explores the impact of the French invasion of Russia on Tsarist society. Tolstoy famously claimed that 'War and Peace' was not a novel, but rather an epic in prose, as it included philosophical essays on history and free will. To write it, Tolstoy conducted extensive historical research and interviewed veterans of the 1812 campaign. His wife, Sophia, famously copied the massive manuscript by hand seven times for revisions. Even today, the book's title is used as a shorthand for any task that is exceptionally long or complex.