You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
kathiej's review against another edition
5.0
Such an amazing woman. I should have read this earlier in my life. She took nothing much and made quite a bit of everything around her.
frodomom214's review against another edition
3.0
This took a while, which I guess is no surprise for a 750 page biography. Good overall but meanders in some places.
ariya1's review against another edition
5.0
So, I finished reading this book a few days ago and promised a friend I'd write a review. I picked up the book because I saw the rumor that Catherine the Great supposedly had sex with a horse. Although I didn't necessarily give credence to this rumor, I was fascinated by the power she wielded in Russia considering that not many women (even when they were heads of monarchies) reigned for so long or were considered great leaders. This is especially so considering how Catherine II came into power. Although England's Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria have interested me, Russia's autocratic monarchy that lasted into the 20th century is intriguing. Massie does an excellent job of putting into context the era in which Catherine II lived. He also was able to provide the necessary background to certain people and events related to Catherine II's life without losing the focus of delving into this background. In all, while reading this book, I felt as though I was in the moment. As another reviewer noted, however, there is a shift in the book (from a detailed accounting of Catherine II's personal thoughts to a more distanced perspective). I can understand why the shift happened (to avoid any spoilers, I won't go into detail about it) but it didn't negatively affect my reception of the book. Ultimately, after reading Massie's book, I am even more fascinated by the Russian monarchy (especially considering how it ended) and I plan to read Massie's other books on Peter the Great and on the last tsar of Russia.
ashkitty93's review against another edition
5.0
Historical Fictionistas Group Read starting 1Feb15!
Started reading this in February, got roughly 30 pages in and put it down... Found the audio through my library and I'm SO GLAD I did, otherwise I might never have finished this. Not because it's boring, but because the research is simply EXHAUSTIVE. If you're interested in Russian history, I highly recommend this book. It's my first Massie book but I have two more waiting at home (thankfully shorter than this one). He presents history from all angles-- you get to see Catherine through her own memoirs and the writings of others around her throughout her life. Every page makes clear how much research went into this book, and if this is so well-written I can only imagine how incredible his Pulitzer-winning book on Peter the Great is.
Before this book, the majority of what I knew of Russian history included Nicholas II's family (I've been obsessed with them since I first saw Anastasia as a child), the Bolsheviks, serfdom, and names like Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and Ivan the Terrible. Just because I knew their names didn't mean I necessarily knew anything about them. Having finished this, I can happily say that I know much more about Catherine's life and reign than I did after my European History class in high school. Again, I remember her name cropping up but I don't recall learning a whole lot aside from the whole serf thing.
It seemed to peter out (haha) toward the end a bit, probably because I have little interest in government and zoned out here and there because I was just ready to be DONE, but overall this was a fascinating book. As mentioned in my updates, I had no idea Catherine was so connected with people like Voltaire and Diderot, nor was I familiar with the circumstances that led to her reign. It was so refreshing to learn as I listened, and reminded me how much I like biographies. Kudos, Mr Massie. Portrait of a Woman, indeed.
Started reading this in February, got roughly 30 pages in and put it down... Found the audio through my library and I'm SO GLAD I did, otherwise I might never have finished this. Not because it's boring, but because the research is simply EXHAUSTIVE. If you're interested in Russian history, I highly recommend this book. It's my first Massie book but I have two more waiting at home (thankfully shorter than this one). He presents history from all angles-- you get to see Catherine through her own memoirs and the writings of others around her throughout her life. Every page makes clear how much research went into this book, and if this is so well-written I can only imagine how incredible his Pulitzer-winning book on Peter the Great is.
Before this book, the majority of what I knew of Russian history included Nicholas II's family (I've been obsessed with them since I first saw Anastasia as a child), the Bolsheviks, serfdom, and names like Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and Ivan the Terrible. Just because I knew their names didn't mean I necessarily knew anything about them. Having finished this, I can happily say that I know much more about Catherine's life and reign than I did after my European History class in high school. Again, I remember her name cropping up but I don't recall learning a whole lot aside from the whole serf thing.
It seemed to peter out (haha) toward the end a bit, probably because I have little interest in government and zoned out here and there because I was just ready to be DONE, but overall this was a fascinating book. As mentioned in my updates, I had no idea Catherine was so connected with people like Voltaire and Diderot, nor was I familiar with the circumstances that led to her reign. It was so refreshing to learn as I listened, and reminded me how much I like biographies. Kudos, Mr Massie. Portrait of a Woman, indeed.
udle's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this as an audiobook. I liked the pacing and tone of the voice actor.
I normally don't go for historical biographies, but I enjoyed this one. I went into it knowing little about Russian history, and even less about European politics during the mid-late 18th century. This proved to be the perfect introduction to both. Massie presents Catherine's world as full of complex characters, each with their own ambitions and life stories. This gives depth to her greatness. Instead of a story about an individual of great character that enacted great deeds, it is an elaborate mosaic of conniving politicians, foiled philosophers, and small pox (lots of small pox).
I normally don't go for historical biographies, but I enjoyed this one. I went into it knowing little about Russian history, and even less about European politics during the mid-late 18th century. This proved to be the perfect introduction to both. Massie presents Catherine's world as full of complex characters, each with their own ambitions and life stories. This gives depth to her greatness. Instead of a story about an individual of great character that enacted great deeds, it is an elaborate mosaic of conniving politicians, foiled philosophers, and small pox (lots of small pox).
kymme's review against another edition
5.0
!!!!
I learned more about the political history of the world from reading this book than from anything I ever learned in school. Catherine II is positively fascinating, and I’m grateful to the lovely, deeply fictional romp that is the show “The Great” for sparking an interest that led to my reading this incredible book. Phenomenal research and an indescribably cool way of blending sweeping historical information and complex political machinations with intimate, seemingly secret private information in a compelling and often hilarious manner. Incredible writer, Massie was. I read on both paper and Kindle and also listened to parts of the audio book, and across those three modalities was able to not spend half the year on this very long, very wonderful book.
I learned more about the political history of the world from reading this book than from anything I ever learned in school. Catherine II is positively fascinating, and I’m grateful to the lovely, deeply fictional romp that is the show “The Great” for sparking an interest that led to my reading this incredible book. Phenomenal research and an indescribably cool way of blending sweeping historical information and complex political machinations with intimate, seemingly secret private information in a compelling and often hilarious manner. Incredible writer, Massie was. I read on both paper and Kindle and also listened to parts of the audio book, and across those three modalities was able to not spend half the year on this very long, very wonderful book.
pocketvolcano's review against another edition
5.0
Robert Massie is one of my favorite authors. His book on Peter the Great was magnificent so I expected nothing less from this. Massie exceeded expectations. I enjoyed every page and considering I have three other books on Catherine, the fact that this one is better than the others is a testament. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone interested in Catherine, Russian history and the Romanovs to pick this up.
joshisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Vivid read, excellent details. A truly fascinating look not only into Catherine the woman but also Russia in her time. I felt the organization towards the end of the book was a little all over the place, but it was still a very good read.
desiree_mcl's review against another edition
5.0
Such a good book. I knew very little about Catherine the Great before picking this up. I basically knew she was an empress of Russia for a few decades...and that was it.
Normally with non-fiction books I have to take it in chunks, 3-6 chapters at a time, set it down, read something else for a week or more, then go back to it.
However much to my surprise, I could not stop listening to this audiobook. All I wanted was to keep reading/listening and just learn everything about Catherine. Part of that was the narration, the narrator was fantastic, I hope he does the other books by Massie too, but Massie really wrote this in a way that made it easy and exciting to continue.
I cannot wait to read the other books by Massie.
Normally with non-fiction books I have to take it in chunks, 3-6 chapters at a time, set it down, read something else for a week or more, then go back to it.
However much to my surprise, I could not stop listening to this audiobook. All I wanted was to keep reading/listening and just learn everything about Catherine. Part of that was the narration, the narrator was fantastic, I hope he does the other books by Massie too, but Massie really wrote this in a way that made it easy and exciting to continue.
I cannot wait to read the other books by Massie.