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_catherine_samaroo_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
bluestjuice's review against another edition
3.0
This is a story to which everyone knows the end, but the fascination to be had is in the slow burn of building tensions that eventually leads to the ultimate conclusion, brick by damning brick. Russian history is not a great love of mine, so there was lots of fresh and interesting information to be had here, and although the book is fifty years or so in print at this point (meaning that there are at least a few new pieces of information that are not addressed), most of the history is pieced painstakingly together from journals and letters and other contemporary accounts, and remains illuminating. The author seemed to like the people he was studying - at least, he induced me to like them as well. Even their flaws seemed to be laid out with the gentle honesty of a friend. Maybe that isn't the most objective reading of Nicholas II's reign, but as someone without a great deal of background in the subject matter, I found it more reasonable than a heated diatribe against the couple.
ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
As I approached the final chapters, and thus the fate of the Romanov family, I grew so sad. Massie does an excellent job of creating a vivid image of Imperial Russia and the many characters who appear in the book. Massie is sympathetic to the Tsar and Tsarina and allows the reader to understand these complex historical figures. In Massie's depiction, the Tsar is a kind family man but is ultimately unable to meet the challenges Russia faced effectively. Alexandra is not an incompetent woman in over her head but a caring Mother who desperately wanted to ease the pain her son felt due to his hemophilia.
Overall, this is a very good general biography for those who are interested in the Romanov family. It explains the historical and cultural context necessary to understand this time period and is written in a very engaging way that makes it very easy to turn the pages.
As I approached the final chapters, and thus the fate of the Romanov family, I grew so sad. Massie does an excellent job of creating a vivid image of Imperial Russia and the many characters who appear in the book. Massie is sympathetic to the Tsar and Tsarina and allows the reader to understand these complex historical figures. In Massie's depiction, the Tsar is a kind family man but is ultimately unable to meet the challenges Russia faced effectively. Alexandra is not an incompetent woman in over her head but a caring Mother who desperately wanted to ease the pain her son felt due to his hemophilia.
Overall, this is a very good general biography for those who are interested in the Romanov family. It explains the historical and cultural context necessary to understand this time period and is written in a very engaging way that makes it very easy to turn the pages.
ilovestory's review against another edition
4.0
Well written and researched book that made me feel like I had actually had the chance to meet Nicky and Alix & their kids. It was interesting to think about how various factors influenced their overthrow -- they married for love, but would a different spouse have allowed Nicholas to remain as tsar, given how many Russians hated his wife for being German, or because of her devotion to Rasputin? The older daughter had the opportunity to marry and move out of Russia, and therefore would have lived, but wanted to wait to marry for love, etc.
The only part I didn't enjoy was the fact it wasn't entirely chronological & that sometimes made events a little confusing to place into a timeframe with the other events I'd learned about in other sections of the book.
In sum, well worth reading. I have a new-found interest in visiting Russia.
The only part I didn't enjoy was the fact it wasn't entirely chronological & that sometimes made events a little confusing to place into a timeframe with the other events I'd learned about in other sections of the book.
In sum, well worth reading. I have a new-found interest in visiting Russia.
arnoldzenio's review against another edition
5.0
Massie is great. This book brings the story of WWI alive and the tragedy of Nicholas and Alexandra and their sad lives.
Helps you understand modern day Russia a bit more.
Helps you understand modern day Russia a bit more.
mfreader's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating biography of events I was previously only vaguely aware. The lives of the Romanovs are made real using actual excerpts from letters between Nicholas and Alexandra. I read this as a casual read and not for any research reason. As a result I lost track of some of the names of characters (I didn't feel any need to go do research to remind me) but nonetheless I didn't feel that it took away from the impact it had on my new understanding of the lives of the Romanovs and the events that framed their fate.
beth_diiorio's review against another edition
4.0
I was impressed with the fact that Massie wrote a readable and accurate historical account of the last Tsar and his family. There were only a few parts which were dry politics and dates, though understandably necessary to put things in perspective. I never realized how much influence Alexandra and Rasputin had in regard to Tsar Nicholas' decision making. I also never realized just how creepy Rasputin was...ewwwwww!
kendrajbean's review against another edition
5.0
This book remains the best biography I've ever read. Massie has a real talent for making history jump off the page.
tcm_62's review against another edition
4.0
Very detailed and sympathetic account of the last of the Romanovs. I don't read a lot of biographies but this one was very absorbing, well-written and flowed along nicely. The complexities of the period, political, economic and military, were addressed in equal measure and their contribution to the final events leading to the assassination of Tsar Nicolas and his family, assessed.
Particulalry interesting was the account of the relationship between Alexandra and Rasputin and how this revolved around the health of her son Alexis. The role that the Tsaravich's hemophilia played in the demise of his family and some of the disastrous decisions his parents took as a result, is sensitively supported by contemporary accounts from the time.
Avery enjoyable and informative read.
Particulalry interesting was the account of the relationship between Alexandra and Rasputin and how this revolved around the health of her son Alexis. The role that the Tsaravich's hemophilia played in the demise of his family and some of the disastrous decisions his parents took as a result, is sensitively supported by contemporary accounts from the time.
Avery enjoyable and informative read.