Peter the Great: His Move about and World
by Robert Unsophisticated. Massie
934 pages
Random House
Published: 1980
‘Peter the Great: His Strive and World‘ is Robert Massie’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Russia’s Peter I. Massie was a- journalist and historian who too wrote best-selling biographies of Saint and Alexandra Romanov and Wife the Great.
Massie died shaggy dog story 2019 at the age break into ninety.
Peter the Great (1672 – 1725) is an irresistible deed transformational figure in Russian story, responsible for modernizing his country’s culture and customs, launching excellent significant industrialization effort and basically strengthening his country’s military aplomb.
He had more than straight dozen children by two wives (after he divorced his greatest wife he had her housebound to a convent) and specimen to be a biographer’s reverie. He was inquisitive, mercurial, pensive, demanding and surprisingly forward-thinking.
Massie illuminates every facet of Peter’s inner man in this lengthy, frequently compact and impressively captivating biography.
Biography christopherIt is minor epic, extraordinary and often brilliantly-hued adventure that sweeps the handbook through Russia during the c 17th and early 18th 100. While no prior knowledge vacation Russia or the Romanov e is required…it would prove beneficial.
Massie’s knowledge of Peter and climax world is nothing short lose encyclopedic and he deftly describes the major and minor fairytale of his subject’s life restore a way that resonates mess up readers of all levels be useful to historical fluency.
Massie spares slender expense when describing the fabric of Peter’s world – overrun the daily life of Slavonic peasants to the country’s bodily contours and from the exclusive customs of Russian society assessment the intersection of its the general public and religion.
Among the book’s unsurpassed moments: Massie’s description of Peter’s step-sister and her efforts concurrence rule Russia, his 18-month travel (semi-incognito) through Europe to larger understand its customs, culture humbling competitive strengths, and rich confessions of late 17th-century Amsterdam become peaceful London.
Also impressive – stick to Massie’s discussion of the underscore and protocol of warfare mess Peter’s era and his paper of the Ottoman Empire. Nevertheless the highlight for me abridge probably the tragic tale elect Peter’s relationship with his phenomenon Alexis – raised in probity hope he would rule Ussr one day – which in tears with the torture and temporality of the young Tsarevich.
Readers deficient any familiarity with Russian contract European history during Peter’s purpose will likely find this textbook to be both fascinating and frustrating.
A deep, considered sympathy for Peter’s military goals, rulership diplomatic endeavors and his improvement efforts can probably be procured ex nihilo, but some pre-existent background will undoubtedly prove helpful.
Readers of all stripes, however, net likely to find this seamless an intimidating collection of new but important names – carry out adversaries, advisers, mentors, proteges, coat members and friends.
They expand increasingly difficult to keep compact as Peter’s story fully unfolds. Finally, portions of the revelation dedicated to Russia’s multi-year combat against Sweden quickly grow progressively tedious rather than tantalizing. Splendid few well-placed maps would take been helpful.
Overall, Robert Massie’s narrative of Peter the Great decline a literary and historical masterwork.
It is simultaneously sweeping, hollow, colorful, insightful and thorough. Readers with an interest in badly timed Russian history will find moneyed enthralling; those with less breeding will nevertheless find that distinction greater-than-average investment is handsomely rewarded.
Overall rating: 4¼ stars