Peter the Great

More about the book

The book chronicles fifty years of political struggles at the Russian court from 1671 to 1725, highlighting Peter the Great's collaborative efforts with influential aristocrats rather than portraying him as an isolated reformer. It details his shifting alliances, including the early support from boyars and his later attempts to govern through favourites, which led to a decentralized administration. The narrative culminates in the aftermath of the Tsarevich Aleksei affair, resulting in a new political balance and a European-style governance approach.