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A review by katuoo7
Nicholas and Alexandra: The Classic Account of the Fall of the Romanov Dynasty by Robert K. Massie
5.0
Very interesting and at times daunting read of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsaritsa Alexandra (Alix) Feodorovna, the Russian Imperial family, Rasputin, Hemophilia, and the Russian Revolution (~through Lenin's rise to power).
I really enjoyed reading Robert K. Massie's descriptions of 19th century Russian society, the hierarchy of the Romanov family and Russian Government (from autocracy to communism), but most importantly the familial interactions and romanticisms between Nicholas and Alexandra and how Rasputin and 'government' interacted with their marriage.
Additionally the infantilization of Tsarevich Alexis up to his murder in 1918 at the age of 13 was compelling since it contrasted heavily with my initial stereotype of his (their) story. I particularly disliked his commonly used nickname of "Baby" and "Little One" as he aged throughout Nicholas and Alexandra's correspondence or from a prophesizing Rasputin. I will make a very small allowance that this moniker was commonly used in originally private letters between his parents where Alexis was the youngest of 5, only male descendent in a patriarchal monarchy, and as a manipulation technique of Rasputin over Alexandra.
Massie's lens of hemophilia being a major player in the Russian Revolution made the downfall of the Romanov's more relatable since it allowed us to see the influences of both family and autocracy/government on its leader(s) such as how Nicholas II: enabled Rasputin's one time position very high up in the Russian Orthodox Church, sought after guest of Russian Society, and personal faith minister/confidant of Empress Alexandra; was unconfident in his abilities as Tsar causing him to be led by over-reaching advisor such as Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany in the Russo-Japanese War or other 'more experienced' male family members early in his reign; and Nicholas's suppressed desire to be a solider-family man in the Russian wilderness as evident by his strong family relationships and preference for nature activities partaken in around Tsarskoe Selo, the annual holidays and while imprisoned.
I really enjoyed reading Robert K. Massie's descriptions of 19th century Russian society, the hierarchy of the Romanov family and Russian Government (from autocracy to communism), but most importantly the familial interactions and romanticisms between Nicholas and Alexandra and how Rasputin and 'government' interacted with their marriage.
Additionally the infantilization of Tsarevich Alexis up to his murder in 1918 at the age of 13 was compelling since it contrasted heavily with my initial stereotype of his (their) story. I particularly disliked his commonly used nickname of "Baby" and "Little One" as he aged throughout Nicholas and Alexandra's correspondence or from a prophesizing Rasputin. I will make a very small allowance that this moniker was commonly used in originally private letters between his parents where Alexis was the youngest of 5, only male descendent in a patriarchal monarchy, and as a manipulation technique of Rasputin over Alexandra.
Massie's lens of hemophilia being a major player in the Russian Revolution made the downfall of the Romanov's more relatable since it allowed us to see the influences of both family and autocracy/government on its leader(s) such as how Nicholas II: enabled Rasputin's one time position very high up in the Russian Orthodox Church, sought after guest of Russian Society, and personal faith minister/confidant of Empress Alexandra; was unconfident in his abilities as Tsar causing him to be led by over-reaching advisor such as Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany in the Russo-Japanese War or other 'more experienced' male family members early in his reign; and Nicholas's suppressed desire to be a solider-family man in the Russian wilderness as evident by his strong family relationships and preference for nature activities partaken in around Tsarskoe Selo, the annual holidays and while imprisoned.