Author Description

How Much Land Does a Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy — A Classic Parable of Greed, Death, and Desire What Makes This Edition Stand Out Expert translation by Louise and Alymer Maude, preserving Tolstoy’s clarity and power Striking full-page illustration from the story Bonus essay on the story’s impact and historical context Quick Take Discussion Questions — perfect for students, teachers, and book clubs Concise bio of Leo Tolstoy exploring his radical shift from aristocrat to spiritual teacher Clean, accessible formatting for print and Kindle Part of the Short Shot Classics series — world-class stories you can finish in a single sitting “The greatest story that the literature of the world knows.” —James Joyce A devil behind the oven. A deal in the dust. A race against the setting sun. Leo Tolstoy’s unforgettable short story How Much Land Does a Man Need? explores the price of ambition and the illusion of ownership. First published in 1886, this haunting tale of a peasant named Pakhom who seeks ever more land—until he races for his life—has been praised by literary legends and taught around the world as a timeless moral reckoning. This Short Shot Classics edition pairs the original story with a modern layout, compelling extras, and dramatic imagery. It's a stunning introduction to Tolstoy’s shorter works and a vivid reminder of how little we truly need. Perfect For Readers of classic literature, parables, and philosophical fiction Teachers, students, and reading groups studying ambition, morality, and irony Gift-givers and collectors of beautiful, compact editions Fans of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chekhov, and world literature Anyone seeking a short but profound story that still echoes today About the Author Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was a Russian novelist, philosopher, and social reformer, best known for War and Peace and Anna Karenina. After a spiritual transformation in the 1880s, he d