A review by salgalruns
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie

4.0

I read this as part of a buddy read, and must say, I learned an incredible amount about Catherine II. It was a long book, and trying to read this at the same time that school was starting was a huge task in itself, but worth it!

Not many would move to another country at age 14, learn a language, adopt a new religion, and endure a loveless marriage with a seemingly strange boy-man... That takes a certain amount of perseverance in itself!

I came away thinking that this was a leader who was definitely ahead of her own time. To be able to think along the lines of Enlightenment, to gather artwork and artists into Russia, and to look out for the well being of all people? Not your typical Russian ruler by a longshot.

I was amazed by her strength and ability to have such clear goals not only for herself, but for Russia. A true leader!