Tony Briggs marks the centenary of Tolstoy's death with a new, concise biography of the great writer, and an attempt to explain his contradictory behaviour both in real life and on the page. The secret lies in three spontaneously chosen mentors followed lovingly by Tolstoy throughout his life. All of them were monsters in their personal conduct and their avowed beliefs. This fourfold story of misanthropy and pessimism, while not detracting from Tolstoy's genius as a writer, reveals his true character and personality at their deepest level.