As part of our Best Books of 2011 coverage, our editors weigh in on some of their personal favorites from the list.
When it comes to reading about the lives of the Romanovs, Robert K. Massie is the ne plus ultra of biographers. Combining top-notch writing with a deep understanding of Russian culture and a knack for sussing out the most interesting tidbits of a life, Massie has created a compassionate and compelling portrait of one of history’s most maligned rulers.
Read our interview with Robert K. Massie about Catherine the Great. Check out our full list of the Top 50 Books of 2011.
Day 2 reading this absorbing intelligent book, I’m very glad its so long!
It’s a terrible book, I’m sorry to tell you.
Full of errors of the most varied kind,Massiecannot readc Russian.
Did you know that? He never admits it, of course. He’s lostg it at 82, if he ever had it! PAthetic performance on
charlie Rose a few weeks ago! Puleeze save us frfom gushing, uncritical reviewers!
This isn’t even historical fiction, judt as mess!
One of the worst books I’ve ever read. Cdertainly NOT ntelligent or informed.
The biblio shows he cannot read Russian! He thinks he’s protecti8ng i9nnocent readers from salacious stories about her sexuality. unaware that these have been all ver the nternet for at least two
DECADES! He’s lost it at 82, if he ever had it! He was abysmal o9n
charlie
rose a few weeks ago. Save your money, folks!