Peter the Great
His Life and World
Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Peter the Great, who embodied the greatest strengths and weaknesses of Russia
The Romanovs Series
This series delves into the rich and often dramatic history of Russia's imperial family. It explores the rise and fall of its rulers, their personal lives, and the political intrigues that shaped an empire. Readers will witness the grand events that influenced Russian history, from reforms and wars to personal tragedies and triumphs. The narrative brings to life complex figures and pivotal moments with compelling detail.
Recommended Reading Order
A tale of power, perseverance, and passion unfolds through the extraordinary life of an obscure German princess who became one of history's most remarkable and captivating women. Born into a minor noble family, she transformed herself into empress of Russia through sheer determination. For thirty-four years, she wielded control over the government, foreign policy, cultural development, and the welfare of the Russian people, navigating domestic rebellion, foreign wars, and the upheaval caused by the French Revolution. The narrative vividly brings to life her family, friends, ministers, generals, lovers, and enemies, showcasing a story richer than most in history. This compelling portrait reveals not only a Russian titan but also a flesh-and-blood woman, offering an absorbing and satisfying biography. Critics have praised it as juicy and suspenseful, with a great life irresistibly told. It has been recognized as one of the best books of the year by numerous esteemed publications, highlighting its significance and impact. The book promises to return to life an eternally fascinating figure, making it a must-read for those interested in powerful women and historical narratives.
A “magnificent and intimate” (Harper’s) modern classic of Russian history, the spellbinding story of the love that ended an empire—from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Peter the Great, The Romanovs, and Catherine the Great “A moving, rich book . . . [This] revealing, densely documented account of the last Romanovs focuses not on the great events . . . but on the royal family and their evil nemesis. . . . The tale is so bizarre, no melodrama is equal to it.”—Newsweek In this commanding book, New York Times bestselling author Robert K. Massie sweeps readers back to the extraordinary world of the Russian empire to tell the story of the Romanovs’ lives: Nicholas’s political naïveté, Alexandra’s obsession with the corrupt mystic Rasputin, and little Alexis’s brave struggle with hemophilia. Against a lavish backdrop of luxury and intrigue, Massie unfolds a powerful drama of passion and history—the story of a doomed empire and the death-marked royals who watched it crumble.
The Romanovs: The Final Chapter
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
The compelling quest to solve a great mystery of the twentieth century: the ultimate fate of Russia's last tsar and his family. In July 1991, nine skeletons were exhumed from a shallow grave near Ekaterinburg, Siberia, a few miles from the infamous cellar where the last tsar and his family had been murdered seventy-three years before. Were these the bones of the Romanovs? If so, why were the bones of the two younger Romanovs missing? Was Anna Anderson, celebrated in newspapers, books, and film, really Grand Duchess Anastasia? This book unearths the truth. Pulitzer Prize winner Robert K. Massie presents a colourful panorama of contemporary characters, illuminating the major scientific dispute between Russian experts and a team of Americans, whose findings – along with those of DNA scientists from Russia, America, and the UK – all contributed to solving one of history's most intriguing mysteries.