Tolstoy, L: Kingdom of God is Within You

LEO TOLSTOY was a Russian writer whom many consider to be the world's greatest novelist. His masterpieces WAR AND PEACE and ANNA KARENINA represent, in their scope, breadth and vivid depiction of life and attitudes, the peak of realist fiction. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU is the nonfiction masterpiece of Leo Tolstoy. It is the culmination of thirty years, and lays out a new organization for society based on the Bible's teachings. In the book Tolstoy speaks of the principle of non-violent resistance when confronted by violence, as taught by Jesus. Tolstoy sought what he believed was the true message of Jesus Christ, as contained in the Gospels. Mahatma Gandhi wrote in his autobiography that this book "overwhelmed" him and "left an abiding impression." Gandhi listed Tolstoy's book as one of the most important modern influences in his life. Reading this book directly inspired his fight for social justice. Martin Luther King, too, was deeply influenced by this book.