Master and Man

A rich man who values nothing but money. A poor man who values nothing but service. A blizzard that will teach them both what matters.

Leo Tolstoy's short masterpiece is a story about greed, sacrifice, and the moment when a man finally understands that his soul is worth more than everything he owns.

Vasili Andreevich Brekhunov is a landowner, a merchant, a man who has spent his entire life acquiring. He is coarse, selfish, and certain that money is the only measure of a man. Nikita is his peasant driver—kind, patient, and resigned to a life of poverty. They set out together to buy a forest, ignoring the gathering storm. The blizzard hits. They lose their way. Their horse grows tired. As night falls and the cold deepens, Vasili Andreevich realizes he will freeze to death. He leaves Nikita to die and rides off alone. Then something happens that he could not have predicted: he turns back. He lies on top of Nikita to keep him warm. And in the morning, they find the frozen bodies of the master and the horse, but not the man.

This is Tolstoy at his most parabolic and powerful: a story about the death of the self, the birth of compassion, and the truth that the only wealth that matters is the wealth you give away. Master and Man is short, simple, and unforgettable.

• Published in 1895, during Tolstoy's later, religiously focused period

• Based on a true story Tolstoy heard about a merchant who died trying to save his servant

• Often read as a companion piece to The Death of Ivan Ilyich, exploring similar themes of mortality and meaning

Available in multiple formats:

• Paperback & Hardcover: Beautifully designed print editions presenting the complete, unabridged text made to last.

• Ebook: DRM-free EPUB compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers.

• Audiobook: Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged, available on all major audiobook platforms.

A beautifully crafted edition for your shelf, your device, or your ears—or the perfect gift for anyone who knows that the greatest wealth is the warmth of another body in the cold.

About the Author

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was a Russian novelist, short story writer, and moral philosopher, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in world literature. Born into Russian aristocracy, he served as an artillery officer in the Crimean War. After completing Anna Karenina (1877), Tolstoy underwent a profound spiritual crisis, rejecting his earlier works and embracing a radical form of Christian anarchism. Master and Man was written in 1895, well into this later period. The story reflects Tolstoy's belief in the teachings of Jesus, particularly the commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself. The novella was well received by critics and readers, who praised its simplicity, its emotional power, and its vivid depiction of the Russian winter. It remains one of Tolstoy's most frequently anthologized short works. His other major works include War and Peace(1869), Anna Karenina (1877), The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886), and Resurrection (1899). He died of pneumonia in 1910 at the Astapovo railway station, after fleeing his home in a desperate attempt to escape his fame and his family. He is buried at Yasnaya Polyana, his family estate.