cathodg's review against another edition
5.0
This a rare book review on this site as it’s not a fiction book. I would like to say my interest in Russian history and in particular the Romanovs came from some intellectual observation about the growth of Russian power in the period 1613– 1918 and the similarities with the current government’s foreign policy. But it didn’t. In fact the first thing to catch my imagination were the rumours of the possible escape from members of the Cheka by Tsar Nicolas II’s youngest daughter Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna. And yes, my knowledge of these rumours came first from the 20th Century Fox animated film of 1997.
Whilst it might not be the most highbrow introduction to Russian history it did peak my interest and helped make sense of the disco hit Rasputin by Boney M!
Great timing or sheer coincidence I found myself earlier in the year in a bookshop a few days after the end of the BBC adaption of War and Peace. Having been enchanted by it and wanting to know more I was immediately drawn to Simon Sebag Montefiore’s latest book “The Romanovs”. (The beautiful book cover is also a definitely draw – not that I judge books by their covers). It’s taken me quite a few months to work my way through it but it has been a joy and incredibly informative. Whilst I knew nothing of the growth of Mother Russia prior to reading this book I can now see similarities between President Putin and Russia’s historical leaders; a strong sense of state, a principle of absolute supremacy, a desire to have a strong role of the global stage but always mindful of the need for a strong military as everyone is or could be an enemy of the state.
The Romanovs remain the longest and most successful reigning family in modern times. During their dynasty they ruled over q sixth of the world’s surface. But how did they do it? And how did they lose it? In this book Montefiore introduces us to twenty tsars and tsarinas and a world of limitless power, empire-building, fierce rivalries, affairs of the heart and murder plots.
I have often struggled with non-fiction books in the past, finding them too academic focusing on the facts and missing a story-telling element. Montefiore on the other hand has written a perfectly balanced book. There is definitely not a shortage of facts, but I do feel his primary goal is to keep the flow of the story using footnotes to expand on the wider context and/or provide additional important facts. Whether this is a simple testament to the author’s ability or whether the Romanovs naturally lend themselves to stories it would be difficult to say without reading other books by Montefiore.
The books spans a long period and we are introduced to many characters both within and outside of the family. I do not think it possible to remember every detail, name and position without reading more and committing significant time to study the period. But, if you wish to have a general knowledge of the growth of the Romanov family and the role they played in the formation of Russia as we know it today then this is a very good starting point.
Whilst it might not be the most highbrow introduction to Russian history it did peak my interest and helped make sense of the disco hit Rasputin by Boney M!
Great timing or sheer coincidence I found myself earlier in the year in a bookshop a few days after the end of the BBC adaption of War and Peace. Having been enchanted by it and wanting to know more I was immediately drawn to Simon Sebag Montefiore’s latest book “The Romanovs”. (The beautiful book cover is also a definitely draw – not that I judge books by their covers). It’s taken me quite a few months to work my way through it but it has been a joy and incredibly informative. Whilst I knew nothing of the growth of Mother Russia prior to reading this book I can now see similarities between President Putin and Russia’s historical leaders; a strong sense of state, a principle of absolute supremacy, a desire to have a strong role of the global stage but always mindful of the need for a strong military as everyone is or could be an enemy of the state.
The Romanovs remain the longest and most successful reigning family in modern times. During their dynasty they ruled over q sixth of the world’s surface. But how did they do it? And how did they lose it? In this book Montefiore introduces us to twenty tsars and tsarinas and a world of limitless power, empire-building, fierce rivalries, affairs of the heart and murder plots.
I have often struggled with non-fiction books in the past, finding them too academic focusing on the facts and missing a story-telling element. Montefiore on the other hand has written a perfectly balanced book. There is definitely not a shortage of facts, but I do feel his primary goal is to keep the flow of the story using footnotes to expand on the wider context and/or provide additional important facts. Whether this is a simple testament to the author’s ability or whether the Romanovs naturally lend themselves to stories it would be difficult to say without reading other books by Montefiore.
The books spans a long period and we are introduced to many characters both within and outside of the family. I do not think it possible to remember every detail, name and position without reading more and committing significant time to study the period. But, if you wish to have a general knowledge of the growth of the Romanov family and the role they played in the formation of Russia as we know it today then this is a very good starting point.
morales_francia's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
Simon Sebag-Montefiore Is a fucking maestro of Russian history. Long live Catherine's sexual exploits.
sterrenkijker's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.0
i asked louisa why i still had half of the book to go with only a century left and she was like "there's two wars in there babes". forgot about the wars
ahmedazzouz's review against another edition
5.0
I heard this book as a audible and it was a delightful journey through the Russian history.
This is a great book which I really recommend to any history nerd like myself.
This is a great book which I really recommend to any history nerd like myself.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
5.0
The Romanovs make the Lannisters look like the Bennett sisters. Simon Sebag Montefiore does his best to avoid speculation and sensationalism, but not even his sober outlook and academic restraint can quench the glorious madness that was the Romanov rule. THE MAYHEM. People are not only shot or beheaded, as one would expect, but imaginatively tortured, broken on the wheel, impaled in the bottom, cut into sections, stomped to pulp, doused in vodka and set on fire. Cut into sections. That requires dedication. On a good day you only get your tongue ripped out. Then there are the courtly intrigues and sexual shenanigans. The corridors of the Winter Palace are teeming with mistresses, assassins and false Dimitris. Nitroglycerin is stored under pillows. Heirs have fits and conveniently fall on their daggers. Brides-to-be are poisoned so often you'd think that they'd wise up and look for husbands elsewhere.
Of course, there is more to this work than colourful anecdotes, but where's the fun in war and politics? Only half kidding. 300 years are crammed into 650 pages, which eventually made me lose track of the bit players and their political motivations and animosities. Which was ok, because I was able to lean back and enjoy the tsar mania, but if you would like a deeper understanding of Russian history, you need further reading. This book tells the history of the Romanovs, and does it wonderfully.
Of course, there is more to this work than colourful anecdotes, but where's the fun in war and politics? Only half kidding. 300 years are crammed into 650 pages, which eventually made me lose track of the bit players and their political motivations and animosities. Which was ok, because I was able to lean back and enjoy the tsar mania, but if you would like a deeper understanding of Russian history, you need further reading. This book tells the history of the Romanovs, and does it wonderfully.
lisztaffe's review against another edition
2.0
The beginning comparing the first and last moments of the dynasty was probably the best bit of writing and definitely got my hopes up. But alas, the book really suffered from too much focus on the “scandalous” bits. Certainly some of it might be relevant but the very sensationalist manner of describing every character got really tiresome.
People aren’t “nymphomaniacs” for enjoying sex, for example, nor should homo- and bisexuality be so very shocking to us by this point.
The focus on those things really distracted from an otherwise very interesting and at times even deeply moving book.
I did also notice a few mistakes in minor relations of Romanovs to each other. Granted in such a numerous family it’s obviously not easy to keep everyone straight, but hey, that’s what you sign up for.
People aren’t “nymphomaniacs” for enjoying sex, for example, nor should homo- and bisexuality be so very shocking to us by this point.
The focus on those things really distracted from an otherwise very interesting and at times even deeply moving book.
I did also notice a few mistakes in minor relations of Romanovs to each other. Granted in such a numerous family it’s obviously not easy to keep everyone straight, but hey, that’s what you sign up for.