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A review by sortabadass
Nicholas and Alexandra: The Classic Account of the Fall of the Romanov Dynasty by Robert K. Massie
5.0
This was incredibly fascinating for a number of reasons.
First, as a citizen of a democratic republic, I had never really put a ton of thought into autocracy. Most of my thought has been along the lines of 'True monarchy doesn't work because a monarch will always be removed from the needs of people.' The Romanovs are certainly not the family to undo this lesson, but it was interesting to see that autocracy had more shades of gray than I thought. While strife and unrest was rampant, many of the peasantry really did see the Tsar as one ordained by God. They needed their monarch because they didn't know how else to live.
The circumstances surrounding the Romanovs' downfall were tragic... but my desire for lurid sensationalism was certainly satisfied. I actually learned more about the Russian Revolution in High School Biology than History class (Anyone else map out the genetic transmission of hemophilia within European royalty?) so my understanding was basically Oppressed Masses + WWI + Mad Monk Hypnotist + Unpopular Royals = Bloodshed + Revolution - Anastasia. Aside from the glaring point of ignorance, this formula is basically the outline of the book itself. However, Massie's recreation of the events leading up to the overthrow of Russian government was not dull by any means. I went into this book knowing it would end tragically, but I still cried when it did.
I can't end my review without mentioning Rasputin. Perhaps moreso than any other figure in this history, Rasputin still lives in popular culture. Since my mind was filled with half-truths and hyperbole, I was excited to read more about the man from those who actually knew him. I thought this would help me draw the borders on the nebulous outline formed from half-truths picked up from a hundred different sources... But, it didn't. I really don't feel like I know much more about Rasputin than I did when I started, and I've decided that this is a good thing. It is both a testament to Massie's balanced writing and the ongoing fascination with this undefinable figure from history.
First, as a citizen of a democratic republic, I had never really put a ton of thought into autocracy. Most of my thought has been along the lines of 'True monarchy doesn't work because a monarch will always be removed from the needs of people.' The Romanovs are certainly not the family to undo this lesson, but it was interesting to see that autocracy had more shades of gray than I thought. While strife and unrest was rampant, many of the peasantry really did see the Tsar as one ordained by God. They needed their monarch because they didn't know how else to live.
The circumstances surrounding the Romanovs' downfall were tragic... but my desire for lurid sensationalism was certainly satisfied. I actually learned more about the Russian Revolution in High School Biology than History class (Anyone else map out the genetic transmission of hemophilia within European royalty?) so my understanding was basically Oppressed Masses + WWI + Mad Monk Hypnotist + Unpopular Royals = Bloodshed + Revolution - Anastasia. Aside from the glaring point of ignorance, this formula is basically the outline of the book itself. However, Massie's recreation of the events leading up to the overthrow of Russian government was not dull by any means. I went into this book knowing it would end tragically, but I still cried when it did.
I can't end my review without mentioning Rasputin. Perhaps moreso than any other figure in this history, Rasputin still lives in popular culture. Since my mind was filled with half-truths and hyperbole, I was excited to read more about the man from those who actually knew him. I thought this would help me draw the borders on the nebulous outline formed from half-truths picked up from a hundred different sources... But, it didn't. I really don't feel like I know much more about Rasputin than I did when I started, and I've decided that this is a good thing. It is both a testament to Massie's balanced writing and the ongoing fascination with this undefinable figure from history.