Oleksandr - Now, learn some russian and re-read it in original. ;)

Bliss - Wow, that really impressed me! Honestly, I would have never think about War and Peace to be my first choice if I had the same goal as you: I read it by imposition, and even though I liked it a lot, it was hard to finally decide to read it ;)

Chris Enzaldo - I recommend James Joyce's "Ulysses" for your lighter read! Actually, you might enjoy it because didn't you go to Ireland? I toured Ireland in 2000 because Joyce is my favorite author. Walking the actual streets and eating at the pubs mentioned in the novel made my literary pilgrimage a surreal experience.

P - O.K. Melissa--- I am impressed! You'll have to try Doestoevsky sometime... or at least "The Grand Inquisitor."---- good stuff! Great job--Pati