Arms and the Man
Arms and the Man, Bernard Shaw's comedy about war and romance, was first performed in 1894 and is set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885. Raina Petkoff, engaged to the dashing cavalry officer Sergius, is hiding a fugitive Swiss mercenary in her bedroom. Captain Bluntschli carries chocolate instead of cartridges, regards heroism as bad for business, and treats soldiering as a trade like any other. His common sense gradually undoes Raina's heroic poses, Sergius's noble attitudes and the Petkoffs' pride in their library and their electric bell. The play takes its title from the opening of the Aeneid, and its preface defends Shaw against the charge of cynicism. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first act is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Arms and the Man
Arms and the Man by Bernard Shaw can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Arms and the Man online?
Yes. Arms and the Man opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Arms and the Man free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Arms and the Man is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Arms and the Man in the public domain?
Yes. Arms and the Man by Bernard Shaw is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Arms and the Man?
About 1 h 39 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Arms and the Man?
Arms and the Man by Bernard Shaw is filed under "Drama" in the Vinteuil library.
