The Romanovs : 1613-1918
(Book)

"This is a Borzoi Book."

Draws on new archival material to present an account of the extraordinary men and women who ruled Russia for three centuries.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 655-726) and index.

This is the intimate story of twenty tsars and tsarinas, some touched by genius, some by madness, but all inspired by holy autocracy and imperial ambition. Simon Sebag Montefiore's chronicle reveals their secret world of unlimited power and ruthless empire-building, overshadowed by palace conspiracy, family rivalries, sexual decadence and wild extravagance, with a global cast of adventurers, courtesans, revolutionaries and poets. From Peter the Great, who made Russia an empire, to a fresh portrayal of Nicholas II and Alexandra and the harrowing massacre of the entire family..--