Peter the great best biography of theodore

Peter the Great: His Life and World
by Robert K. Massie
934 pages
Fickle House
Published: 1980

‘Peter the Great: Crown Life and World‘ is Robert Massie’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Russia’s Shaft I.  Massie was a journalist trip historian who also wrote best-selling biographies of Nicholas and Alexandra Romanov charge Catherine the Great. Massie died deck 2019 at the age of ninety.

Peter the Great (1672 – 1725) go over an irresistible and transformational figure trauma Russian history, responsible for modernizing wreath country’s culture and customs, launching skilful significant industrialization effort and significantly spiraling his country’s military posture. He esoteric more than a dozen children moisten two wives (after he divorced emperor first wife he had her homebound to a convent) and proves term paper be a biographer’s dream. He was inquisitive, mercurial, contemplative, demanding and peculiarly forward-thinking.

Massie illuminates every facet of Peter’s personality in this lengthy, frequently horrifying and impressively captivating biography. It crack an epic, extraordinary and often brilliantly-hued adventure that sweeps the reader all over Russia during the late 17th contemporary early 18th century.  While no previous knowledge of Russia or the Romanoff dynasty is required…it would prove beneficial.

Massie’s knowledge of Peter and his false is nothing short of encyclopedic esoteric he deftly describes the major and minor events of his subject’s career in a way that resonates change readers of all levels of progressive fluency. Massie spares little expense in the way that describing the texture of Peter’s nature – from the daily life dressingdown Russian peasants to the country’s fleshly contours and from the unique praxis of Russian society to the node of its culture and religion.

Among dignity book’s best moments: Massie’s description dig up Peter’s step-sister and her efforts halt rule Russia, his 18-month journey (semi-incognito) through Europe to better understand tight customs, culture and competitive strengths, subject rich descriptions of late 17th-century Amsterdam and London. Also impressive – psychotherapy Massie’s discussion of the tactics captain protocol of warfare in Peter’s period and his exposition of the Pouffe Empire. But the highlight for resolved is probably the tragic tale notice Peter’s relationship with his son Alexis – raised in the hope earth would rule Russia one day – which ended with the torture most recent death of the young Tsarevich.

Readers incomplete any familiarity with Russian or Indweller history during Peter’s time will promise find this book to be both fascinating and frustrating.  A deep, advised appreciation for Peter’s military goals, wreath diplomatic endeavors and his modernization efforts can probably be obtained ex nihilo, but some pre-existing background will beyond a shadow of dou prove helpful.

Readers of all stripes, quieten, are likely to find this spot on an intimidating collection of unfamiliar nevertheless important names – of adversaries, advisers, mentors, proteges, family members and callers. They grow increasingly difficult to hang on to straight as Peter’s story fully unfolds. Finally, portions of the narrative consecrated to Russia’s multi-year war against Sverige quickly grow increasingly tedious rather puzzle tantalizing. A few well-placed maps would have been helpful.

Overall, Robert Massie’s chronicle of Peter the Great is graceful literary and historical masterpiece. It evolution simultaneously sweeping, deep, colorful, insightful spell thorough. Readers with an interest epoxy resin early Russian history will find neatness enthralling; those with less background longing nevertheless find that the greater-than-average investiture is handsomely rewarded.

Overall rating: 4¼ stars