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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
very poignant, a shining example of how historical nonfiction is most successfully relayed; informative, powerful, humanising
A well-written and researched narrative detailing the terrible final days in July, 1918, when the Romanov family was imprisoned and eventually executed in the wake of the Bolshevik revolution. We all know the basic story, of course, but here is a very up-close and personal look at the family as they prayed and waited and endured horrors no living being should ever have to face. Each chapter provides snippets of history (remember, these were also the last days of World War I) as well as glimpses into the individual characters of the family and their tormentors. It addresses the overall revolution and general state of Russia in broad terms (it's waaaaaay too much to try to explain in this book) but makes a point of tying in some of the specific politics and machinations with the immediate, desperate circumstances of the Romanovs.
There are clearly some strong author's opinions throughout the book, and Rappaport admits that she drew some of her own conclusions, so the overall effect is marred. It's certainly not a romanticized view of the Romanovs (Tsar Nicholas was obviously ineffective at best, brutally inflexible at worst) but it certainly casts their executioners in the very worst light. (Not that it's a stretch for the reader to loathe people capable of slaughtering children then looting their corpses.) It's not particularly flattering to the other world leaders at the time, either; nobody, not a president nor monarch anywhere, was willing, capable, or organized enough to effect any kind of rescue. The whole bloody business was absolutely shameful for everyone, from the Bolshevik gunmen who massacred the family to the world press who announced the murders as if declaring a garbage strike. It's ugly stuff and Rappaport delivers all of the terrible, sometimes gruesome, details. This is a history book with teeth.
On an entirely technical note, I found myself distracted by typos and unusual phrasing throughout the book. And never have I missed the Oxford comma more.
There are clearly some strong author's opinions throughout the book, and Rappaport admits that she drew some of her own conclusions, so the overall effect is marred. It's certainly not a romanticized view of the Romanovs (Tsar Nicholas was obviously ineffective at best, brutally inflexible at worst) but it certainly casts their executioners in the very worst light. (Not that it's a stretch for the reader to loathe people capable of slaughtering children then looting their corpses.) It's not particularly flattering to the other world leaders at the time, either; nobody, not a president nor monarch anywhere, was willing, capable, or organized enough to effect any kind of rescue. The whole bloody business was absolutely shameful for everyone, from the Bolshevik gunmen who massacred the family to the world press who announced the murders as if declaring a garbage strike. It's ugly stuff and Rappaport delivers all of the terrible, sometimes gruesome, details. This is a history book with teeth.
On an entirely technical note, I found myself distracted by typos and unusual phrasing throughout the book. And never have I missed the Oxford comma more.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
A fascinating account of the last 14 days in the lives of the Russian Imperial family. I’m always on the look-out for quality history books, but to find a reliable historian is extremely difficult, especially when it comes to Russian and Soviet history. So it’s always great to find a new author to add to the library, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of Helen Rappaport’s work.
Rappaport is an amazingly engaging writer and a diligent historian, and The Last Days of the Romanovs proves an absolutely cracking read. She handles her subjects with empathy, but doesn’t sanitize them, doesn't turn the Romanovs into saints. She also provides an incredibly astute historical context which helps to better understand the situation in Russia in 1917-1918 in general, and in Ekaterinburg in particular, providing an insight into the inner workings of the Ipatiev house, but not concentrating exclusively on it.
I have to remark on the chapter that details the execution of Nicholas and the family: in a pretty grim book, this one is downright devastating. Rappaport doesn’t savor or glamorize it, she categorizes all the horrors with almost clinical detachment, but she’s not unkind about it. It’s like she says, “Here’s the truth as I researched it and put together. Do with it what you see fit.”
Look, I’m really not a fan of any monarchy as a way of governance, and especially not a fan of Russian monarchy (I’m Ukrainian, anti-tsarism is in our blood), but I also have such a deep, burning, passionate hatred for Bolsheviks that even my distaste for monarchy can’t eclipse it. And the way Rappaport describes Bolsheviks, the Cheka, the whole sordid affair of the Revolution is so close to the way I learned about it listening to the stories of my parents and grandparents. The way the Bolsheviks killed 11 people, 5 of whom were practically children, mutilated their bodies, and then pilfered their possessions (all in the name of the Revolution, of course) just reminded me about tons of people in numerous countries under the Soviet regime who shared in the same fate at the hands of these thugs and murderers who called what they were doing a “will of the people”.
And today’s Russia functions on absolutely the same principles filled to the brim with propagandists and rabid bigoted Orthodox Christians, with a murderous tsar-batyushka as their leader. And it’s maddening and frustrating to see how Western Europe and America simply continue to believe the lies of this dangerous, destructive country.
Rappaport is an amazingly engaging writer and a diligent historian, and The Last Days of the Romanovs proves an absolutely cracking read. She handles her subjects with empathy, but doesn’t sanitize them, doesn't turn the Romanovs into saints. She also provides an incredibly astute historical context which helps to better understand the situation in Russia in 1917-1918 in general, and in Ekaterinburg in particular, providing an insight into the inner workings of the Ipatiev house, but not concentrating exclusively on it.
I have to remark on the chapter that details the execution of Nicholas and the family: in a pretty grim book, this one is downright devastating. Rappaport doesn’t savor or glamorize it, she categorizes all the horrors with almost clinical detachment, but she’s not unkind about it. It’s like she says, “Here’s the truth as I researched it and put together. Do with it what you see fit.”
Look, I’m really not a fan of any monarchy as a way of governance, and especially not a fan of Russian monarchy (I’m Ukrainian, anti-tsarism is in our blood), but I also have such a deep, burning, passionate hatred for Bolsheviks that even my distaste for monarchy can’t eclipse it. And the way Rappaport describes Bolsheviks, the Cheka, the whole sordid affair of the Revolution is so close to the way I learned about it listening to the stories of my parents and grandparents. The way the Bolsheviks killed 11 people, 5 of whom were practically children, mutilated their bodies, and then pilfered their possessions (all in the name of the Revolution, of course) just reminded me about tons of people in numerous countries under the Soviet regime who shared in the same fate at the hands of these thugs and murderers who called what they were doing a “will of the people”.
And today’s Russia functions on absolutely the same principles filled to the brim with propagandists and rabid bigoted Orthodox Christians, with a murderous tsar-batyushka as their leader. And it’s maddening and frustrating to see how Western Europe and America simply continue to believe the lies of this dangerous, destructive country.
A visão que a autora nos traz neste livro é bastante diferente dos livros que tinha lido até então sobre a família Romanov, porque não se cinge a defender a família imperial e nem a criticar o comunismo. Ela expõe a verdade que conseguiu descortinar sem passar paninhos quentes a ninguém. É certo que nunca se vai saber exactamente o que aconteceu, porque muitos relatos eram aldrabados e a documentação também era tendenciosa. Mas neste livro senti que tudo o que me estavam a contar é o mais próximo da realidade possível. Por outro lado, a autora não se centra só na família Romanov, explica-nos o ponto de vista dos bolcheviques e o porquê de odiarem o czar e a czarina e conta-nos como foram os últimos 14 dias na última morada da família, tendo por base o contexto político da época. A visão romantizada a que tive acesso em outras obras, nesta foi erradicada. O czar não era um bom imperador e a sua mulher não era a melhor pessoa para o aconselhar, apenas os filhos não tinham culpa nenhuma do que viria a lhes acontecer. Assim, apenas duas ideias que já tinha ficaram: não havia necessidade de fuzilar os filhos, que nunca tiveram poder nas suas mãos, e aquela família teria sido muito feliz se não tivesse o apelido Romanov, uma vez que os seus membros se amavam e adoravam ter podido levar uma vida simples, longe do poder.
A minha “pancada” por certas figuras históricas continua. Desta vez a família Romanov, mais concretamente Nicolau II, o último czar e a sua família.
Não é preciso fazerem grandes pesquisas para saberem o triste fim que tiveram. A autora vai mais além disso. São retratadas motivações, esperanças, medos, ingenuidades, indiferenças. Excelente pesquisa. O livro tem bastante ritmo apesar do que é contado. É um livro de não ficção essencial para apreciadores da história dos Romanov.
Não é preciso fazerem grandes pesquisas para saberem o triste fim que tiveram. A autora vai mais além disso. São retratadas motivações, esperanças, medos, ingenuidades, indiferenças. Excelente pesquisa. O livro tem bastante ritmo apesar do que é contado. É um livro de não ficção essencial para apreciadores da história dos Romanov.
It's disgusting what those animals did to this poor family. This book only solidifies the saying that "the only good communist is a dead communist". The last few chapters of this book are absolutely horrifying. But beyond that, this is an interesting window into the Romanovs last few months of life. They were loving, pious, and a seemingly beautiful family, and it's a travesty that anyone was capable of doing what was done to these poor people.
The things that I loved about this book I REALLY loved. The things I didn't like about this book I really didn't like. I wanted more about the family and less about the politics, but I completely understand why so much of the book needed to be involved in that-- to understand the family more you must understand the politics that put them in that position. The main reason I didn't like the political parts is because I have a hard time keeping track of all of the people and political parties.
Despite my own troubles following the political lines, this book is well written, easy to read, and a great pick for anyone that wants more detail about the fall of the Russian royals.
Despite my own troubles following the political lines, this book is well written, easy to read, and a great pick for anyone that wants more detail about the fall of the Russian royals.
One of my all-time favorite historical non-fiction books. Even from youth I've always had a curiosity about The Romanovs and how such tragedy could unfold. This book clearly and accurately paints the portrait of the Romanov family, their gains as well as mistakes, and distills it down into an interesting and digestible read, even for those who don't read books of this ilk.
Rappaport does an excellent job of presenting the many sides of the political turmoil Russia was experiencing at the time. Ultimately you do understand why the Bolshevik's took the actions they did, and why the family was sent to their fate.
The content is not for the faint of heart, especially once the family is sent into exile. Tread carefully, ultimately its a haunting end to their dynasty.
Rappaport does an excellent job of presenting the many sides of the political turmoil Russia was experiencing at the time. Ultimately you do understand why the Bolshevik's took the actions they did, and why the family was sent to their fate.
The content is not for the faint of heart, especially once the family is sent into exile. Tread carefully, ultimately its a haunting end to their dynasty.
medium-paced