Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (September 9, 1828 � November 20, 1910) was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist fiction.Excerpt-�The authorities require it, so you see it is necessary.�
As he became again absorbed in his note-book, I went down the steps towards my cab.
�Well! have they locked him up?� asked the cabman. He had evidently become interested in the matter.
�They have,� I answered. He shook his head.
�Is begging forbidden in Moscow, then?� I asked.
�I can't tell you,� he said.
�But how can a man be locked up,� I said, �for begging in the name of Christ?�
