You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by ktbeth143
Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
I don’t have a lot to say here as I’m not sure if I’m qualified to review this book as it was the first piece of nonfiction I’ve read in years. It definitely wasn’t an easy read (but that’s because it’s academic) and some chapters (like the military ones) were harder than others, but parts of it were, I guess the right word would be, enjoyable.
I liked learning about OTMA and Alexis. And I enjoyed reading about Nicholas and Alexandra as a father and mother to their kids. The look this book gives into the character and personal lives of the Imperial Family—all backed by primary sources—was fascinating. To learn of their personalities and especially their strong faith was inspiring. I also loved learning about Pierre Gilliard’s devotion to the family.
Does the book prove its point? I think yes and no. In the beginning, the author tells you that he’s laying out the case to show how Alexis’s hemophilia is the silent catalyst behind most of how the story unfolds. And I agree he’s correct in this—Alexandra would never have been so desperate to put her faith in a man like Gregory Rasputin if she hadn’t felt like her own efforts and prayers as a mother were in vain. She never would have been vulnerable enough for this narcissist to take advantage of if she hadn’t been overwhelmed by love and desperation for her son. And even the Romanov dynasty might have survived in power if Nicholas had felt he could have abdicated the throne to his son, but he didn’t because of Alexis’s disease. On this point, I think the author proved his point.
The cover of the book, and the marketing of it, however, sells the main argument as Nicholas and Alexandra’s love for each other that destroyed the dynasty. I think this is a bit of a stretch (and clearly a marketing misstep since it’s not what the author clearly tells you his goal is). This book does give a fascinating look at the relationship between Nicholas and Alexandra—and it’s certainly heartwarming how much these two loved and trusted each other especially with everything going on around them and the cultural norms of society at the time—but it doesn’t really argue it’s their love story that ruined Russia (unless of course you’re making the argument that had they never gotten together, hemophilia would never have been a problem, but that’s really sinister.)
If you’re a typical fiction reader looking to challenge yourself, I feel this is a good choice. If you’re a nonfiction reader, you’ll probably thoroughly enjoy this.
I liked learning about OTMA and Alexis. And I enjoyed reading about Nicholas and Alexandra as a father and mother to their kids. The look this book gives into the character and personal lives of the Imperial Family—all backed by primary sources—was fascinating. To learn of their personalities and especially their strong faith was inspiring. I also loved learning about Pierre Gilliard’s devotion to the family.
Does the book prove its point? I think yes and no. In the beginning, the author tells you that he’s laying out the case to show how Alexis’s hemophilia is the silent catalyst behind most of how the story unfolds. And I agree he’s correct in this—Alexandra would never have been so desperate to put her faith in a man like Gregory Rasputin if she hadn’t felt like her own efforts and prayers as a mother were in vain. She never would have been vulnerable enough for this narcissist to take advantage of if she hadn’t been overwhelmed by love and desperation for her son. And even the Romanov dynasty might have survived in power if Nicholas had felt he could have abdicated the throne to his son, but he didn’t because of Alexis’s disease. On this point, I think the author proved his point.
The cover of the book, and the marketing of it, however, sells the main argument as Nicholas and Alexandra’s love for each other that destroyed the dynasty. I think this is a bit of a stretch (and clearly a marketing misstep since it’s not what the author clearly tells you his goal is). This book does give a fascinating look at the relationship between Nicholas and Alexandra—and it’s certainly heartwarming how much these two loved and trusted each other especially with everything going on around them and the cultural norms of society at the time—but it doesn’t really argue it’s their love story that ruined Russia (unless of course you’re making the argument that had they never gotten together, hemophilia would never have been a problem, but that’s really sinister.)
If you’re a typical fiction reader looking to challenge yourself, I feel this is a good choice. If you’re a nonfiction reader, you’ll probably thoroughly enjoy this.