A review by hecman111
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie

3.0

Massie is an excellent storyteller, but perhaps that’s where things go a little sideways—or tangential: there are too many stories. A comprehensive story about Catherine, a fascinating, skilled, and highly appealing leader, frequently becomes a story about other people. Lots of other people. There’s even a chapter on the French Revolution which is surely relevant, but a whole chapter? I’m also curious how Massie gets his insight into Catherine’s most intimate thoughts on love. Even he admits that she stopped keeping notes so there are definitely some liberties taken. But Massie is still an excellent storyteller, so there’s that. If a story is to be told, Catherine’s is definitely one that people need to hear.