Catherine the Great: The story of the impoverished German princess who deposed her husband to become tzarina of the largest empire on earth Book + PRICE WATCH * Amazon pricing is not included in price watch

Catherine the Great: The story of the impoverished German princess who deposed her husband to become tzarina of the largest empire on earth Book

I must confess to reading this book inspired by a Divine Comedy track to the protagonist as well as touching on her reign in O level history. The biography details the young princesses early life, her dysfunctional mother and move away from her German roots to a cold and loveless young life as the wife of a hapless young Peter, (later Peter III). Loved for her beauty, intellect, conversation and determination to absorb herself in all things Russian, Catherine wins much admiration for her determination to understand the work of the enlightenment by reading the French philosophers and applying the learning to improve the architecture, creative arts, environment and conditions of the Russian Empire. As well as learning to be politically savvy, she used her enormous emotional intelligence to court important and strategic diplomatic relationships around Europe. Robert Massie's extraordinary research manages to combine Catherine's personal relationships and deep reflective thinking with the historical features of eighteenths century Europe, explaining her extraordinary love life, relationship with her children, and role in the dynamics of the Ottoman, Franco, Prussian, Austrian and British Empires. Some fascinating insights into the period during the French Revolution and its impact on Catherines political philosophy.Read More

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    Catherine the Great The story of the impoverished German princess who deposed her husband to become tzarina of the largest empire on earth Full description

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    The daughter of an impoverished aristocrat Catherine was married aged 16 to Grand Duke Peter heir to the throne of all the Russias a feckless teenager with a weakness for drink. Catherine was only able to give him an heir by passing off her lover's son as his own. In 1762 Catherine rode out of St Petersburg at the head of an army to arrest her husband. Three months later she became sole empress of the largest empire on earth. She was 33 years old. She ruled Russia as a benevolent autocrat for 34 years fighting the Turks abroad and rebellion at home and shepherding her people through the upheavals of the French Revolution. She took on many lovers but gave her heart to General Potemkin the foremost statesman of her time. She died in 1796 aged 67 revered by her people as 'our mother' praised by Voltaire as a philosopher reviled by her enemies as the Messalina of the North and remembered in history as Catherine the Great. From this extraordinary life of great events fabulous splendour and barbaric cruelty Robert K. Massie has woven a thrilling narrative based on impeccable scholarship and a cinematic eye for detail.

  • Blackwell

    The extraordinary story of an obscure German princess who became one of the most powerful women in history. The extraordinary story of an obscure German princess who became one of the most powerful women in history. Born into a minor noble family...

  • Foyles

    The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian's stirring new biography of Catherine the Great, who ruled over the largest empire on Earth for 34 years.

  • 1908800003
  • 9781908800008
  • Robert K. Massie
  • 1 July 2012
  • Head of Zeus
  • Hardcover (Book)
  • 656
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