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The Romanovs: 1613-1918
- Narrated by: Simon Russell Beale
- Length: 28 hrs and 46 mins
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The Romanovs: 1613-1918
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Summary
The Romanovs were the most successful dynasty of modern times, ruling a sixth of the world's surface. How did one family turn a war-ruined principality into the world's greatest empire? And how did they lose it all?
This is the intimate story of 20 tsars and tsarinas, some touched by genius, some by madness, but all inspired by holy autocracy and imperial ambition. Montefiore's gripping chronicle reveals their secret world of unlimited power and ruthless empire building, overshadowed by palace conspiracy, family rivalries, sexual decadence and wild extravagance and peopled by a cast of adventurers, courtesans, revolutionaries and poets, from Ivan the Terrible to Tolstoy, from Queen Victoria to Lenin.
To rule Russia was both imperial-sacred mission and poisoned chalice. Six tsars were murdered, and all the Romanovs lived under constant threat to their lives. Peter the Great tortured his own son to death while making Russia an empire and dominated his court with a dining club notable for compulsory drunkenness, naked dwarfs and fancy dress. Catherine the Great overthrew her own husband - who was murdered soon afterwards - loved her young male favourites, conquered Ukraine and fascinated Europe. Paul was strangled by courtiers backed by his own son, Alexander I, who faced Napoleon's invasion and the burning of Moscow, then went on to take Paris. Alexander II liberated the serfs, survived five assassination attempts, and wrote perhaps the most explicit love letters ever written by a ruler.
The Romanovs: 1613-1918 climaxes with a fresh, unforgettable portrayal of Nicholas and Alexandra, the rise and murder of Rasputin, war and revolution - and the harrowing massacre of the entire family. Written with dazzling literary flair, drawing on new archival research, The Romanovs: 1613-1918 is at once an enthralling story of triumph and tragedy, love and death, a universal study of power and an essential portrait of the empire that still defines Russia today.
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What listeners say about The Romanovs: 1613-1918
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Manish
- 12-08-18
Russian History
Great book. A massive sweep of Russian history told in all of it's gory details!!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-04-19
vast in scope, amazing detail
I loved how the narrator relates many old traditions to modern day Russia, or compares the Romanov tyranny with the Bolshevik. The narrator goes too quickly at times but that's possibly because it's incredibly long. I would recommend listening to this book if you're a true Russia geek.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Christopher
- 26-10-18
Excellent
Fascinating listen and very informative. very well read. It has inspired further investigation into Russian History.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- emrys
- 04-02-22
A great history.
This is a long and complex story stretching centuries. There are a lot of very involved and intricate references to people and events over a long period of time. I think the book might be for students of Russian History, or for those with an in depth interest. For me, it was too much detail, but I did learn many things that gave me a better comprehension of the subject.
Although the narration was pretty good, I did find it too fast to " take in " overall.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Joy Manne
- 03-03-23
A marvelous account
This book is well-read - the first criterion for an audiobook. It is intelligent an well argued. The Romanovs were colourful enough, and hte author obviously delights in semi-pornographic quotes from their letters to each other. In his last chapter, he summarises, Stalin believed the Russians needed a czar or czar-figure - someone to work for and to serve. Putin is making the same error. There are enough Russians who can think, and who have left their country. It's time for a courageous leader to prepare the people to choose how they want to live. What a tragedy that Russia fails and fails again to provide the space for such a leader to rise.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- SamR
- 02-09-23
Stunning writing
This is absolutely glorious. So complete, so compelling and befitting of this remarkable dynasty. I can’t recommend highly enough.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ricci
- 18-11-16
Excellent: History of Russian Czars
I don't usually choose non-fiction; & my relationship with 'history' per se has mostly been a troubled one. But not as troubled as the history of the Czars it turns out. This account of the Romanovs, from medieval times to the last Century is just what it says it is. Plus - in many places it's jaw-dropping and eye popping, for its facts: the amount of alcohol, opulence, violence, ambition, talent, and sex.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr Simon W D Borland
- 25-02-17
Incredible work of history. A remarkable book indd
I am really very impressed with this wonderfully researched work of history. Highly recommended. Beautifully written and excellently narrated.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Margaret Sealy
- 30-12-16
when one is under the weather its easy to listen
Always wanted to know about the family
found ending a little too detailed and grusome for my taste .
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- Alison Baron
- 24-05-20
fascinating
Long and particularly difficult to get into without prior knowledge but fascinating nonetheless.
Particularly interesting in the mental reframing of Russia's roles in various empirical machinations throughout history that when raised in Western Europe are scarcely touched on much less detailed so intimately.
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