Tolstoy offers his advice for living a happy life and dying without fear. He describes his views on religion, philosophy, science, and politics, borrowing from faiths and literature the world over. Specific chapters discuss belief, the soul, God, love, sin, gluttony, lust, sloth, greed, anger, pride, inequality, violence, punishment, vainglory, the nation-state, living in the present, inaction, words, self-renunciation, humility, truthfulness, evil, death, and life. The appendix contains three of Tolstoy's letters. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)