Montefiore writes with a novelist’s skill (and really, his novels aren’t bad) about one of the most important relationships in Russian history. He somMontefiore writes with a novelist’s skill (and really, his novels aren’t bad) about one of the most important relationships in Russian history. He sometimes gets bogged down in details. For this reason I may have actually preferred the Helen Mirren movie version of this romance....more
Certainly one of the best of Troyat’s several biographies of Russian czars and czarinas. All of them are easy to read and fascinating. Troyat’s RussiaCertainly one of the best of Troyat’s several biographies of Russian czars and czarinas. All of them are easy to read and fascinating. Troyat’s Russian author biographies are also great. Together, his books offer a pretty good introductory curriculum on modern Russian, pre-Soviet history. ...more
I have enjoyed all of Troyat’s easily digestible biographies of Catherine, Peter, Ivan, and Alexander. I think I learned the most from his Alexander. I have enjoyed all of Troyat’s easily digestible biographies of Catherine, Peter, Ivan, and Alexander. I think I learned the most from his Alexander. Troyat’s biographers of many of Russia’s greatest authors are even better than these czar biographies. ...more
This is a very comprehensive biography of one of Russia’s most significant and complex sovereigns. The author gives lots of attention to the way PeterThis is a very comprehensive biography of one of Russia’s most significant and complex sovereigns. The author gives lots of attention to the way Peter managed Russia’s changing role in the diplomatic European landscape of the day. The author properly gives equal weight to Peter’s modernization efforts and autocratic brutality. ...more
Not my favorite Lincoln book, but he provides readers with a solid and readable account of the long string of tsars who ruled Russian until the RevoluNot my favorite Lincoln book, but he provides readers with a solid and readable account of the long string of tsars who ruled Russian until the Revolution. ...more
Merridale is a first rate historian but this book is a bit uninspired. Simply put, it’s not her most interesting history. Still, if you want to know mMerridale is a first rate historian but this book is a bit uninspired. Simply put, it’s not her most interesting history. Still, if you want to know more about the Kremlin, I’m not sure you have any better English alternatives....more
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