 Emma Clifford has written that Hardy used Tolstoy's novel as one of many sources of inspiration for the work, and in fact owned an early translation.However, it was not necessarily as a primary source, as Hardy also drew on the "History of Europe" by Archibald Alison, among others.Hardy juxtaposes scenes of ordinary life with scenes involving the principal historical figures of the age, and concentrating on their desire to found dynasties to preserve their power.