A review by susieliston
Nicholas and Alexandra: The Classic Account of the Fall of the Romanov Dynasty by Robert K. Massie

4.0

I don't know why I haven't read this before now. I've always assumed it is the sort of gold standard of N & A bios. It was certainly very readable. I would be curious to see if my reaction was any different had I read this first, without any prior knowledge. This is by far the most sympathetic portrayal of them I've come across. That did bother me a tad, I mean I'm sure they were Nice Folks, and all, but let's face it, Nicholas was something of a dolt and Alicky was bordering on loony at times. They certainly had no business running a huge country in the midst of horrendous crisis. They would have made very pleasant Cousin George-style monarchs with no real power. (if you are a wimp like me, read the last chapter first and get it over with, then you don't have to dread it coming up)