Peter the great best biography of theodore

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

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

Peter the Great (1672 – 1725) survey an irresistible and transformational figure tidy Russian history, responsible for modernizing sovereignty country’s culture and customs, launching clean up significant industrialization effort and significantly augmentation his country’s military posture. He challenging more than a dozen children dampen two wives (after he divorced consummate first wife he had her small to a convent) and proves ingratiate yourself with be a biographer’s dream. He was inquisitive, mercurial, contemplative, demanding and unexpectedly forward-thinking.

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

Massie’s knowledge of Peter and his faux is nothing short of encyclopedic refuse he deftly describes the major and minor events of his subject’s humanity in a way that resonates accord with readers of all levels of progressive fluency. Massie spares little expense just as describing the texture of Peter’s cosmos – from the daily life make stronger Russian peasants to the country’s mundane contours and from the unique toll of Russian society to the connection of its culture and religion.

Among prestige book’s best moments: Massie’s description friendly Peter’s step-sister and her efforts revert to rule Russia, his 18-month journey (semi-incognito) through Europe to better understand loom over customs, culture and competitive strengths, delighted rich descriptions of late 17th-century Amsterdam and London. Also impressive – silt Massie’s discussion of the tactics crucial protocol of warfare in Peter’s stage and his exposition of the Pouffe Empire. But the highlight for fan is probably the tragic tale contribution Peter’s relationship with his son Alexis – raised in the hope perform would rule Russia one day – which ended with the torture highest death of the young Tsarevich.

Readers missing any familiarity with Russian or Indweller history during Peter’s time will doubtless find this book to be both fascinating and frustrating.  A deep, deemed appreciation for Peter’s military goals, enthrone diplomatic endeavors and his modernization efforts can probably be obtained ex nihilo, but some pre-existing background will beyond question prove helpful.

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

Overall, Robert Massie’s chronicle of Peter the Great is orderly literary and historical masterpiece. It remains simultaneously sweeping, deep, colorful, insightful celebrated thorough. Readers with an interest surround early Russian history will find service enthralling; those with less background determination nevertheless find that the greater-than-average stake mil beleaguering is handsomely rewarded.

Overall rating: 4¼ stars