Leo Tolstoy is a titan of world literature whose masterpieces, 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina', are the supreme achievements of 19th-century realism. His work is celebrated for its vast social scope, psychological depth, and its exploration of moral and spiritual truth. Later in life, Tolstoy underwent a profound spiritual crisis and became a radical pacifist, Christian anarchist, and advocate for non-violent resistance. His later works, like 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich', reflected this commitment to social reform and his critique of modern institutions. Tolstoy’s influence extends far beyond literature, shaping the philosophy of non-violence for figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. He remains a fundamental voice for any exploration of human history and morality.