Tsar

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This beautifully illustrated volume brings to life pre-revolutionary Russia and the story of the last Romanovs. Peter Kurth, known for his work on Anastasia, delves into the private lives of the imperial family with clarity and fresh insights. The narrative begins in 1913, a year of celebrations for 300 years of Romanov rule, just before the Great War that would lead to the dynasty's downfall. Kurth traces the childhoods of Nicholas and Alexandra, their courtship, marriage, and coronation, culminating in their tragic end in a Siberian cellar. Archival images from the family's personal albums and collections, many previously unpublished, enhance the narrative, alongside contemporary color photographs of the palaces and places significant to the Romanovs. A special visual section, The Imperial Year, showcases the family at their St. Petersburg palace, seaside retreat in Crimea, aboard their royal yacht, and at their hunting lodge in Poland. Photographer Peter Christopher captures the journey of the imperial family, from the grandeur of Tsarskoe Selo to the remnants of "The House of Special Purpose" in Ekaterinburg. Kurth also addresses the unresolved questions surrounding the murders there, detailing the recent discovery of the Romanov bones and the DNA tests confirming their authenticity. Additionally, the book explores the saga of Anna Anderson, who claimed to be Anastasia, and offers a candid view of the Russian aristocracy i