The Romanovs

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 twenty tsars and tsarinas, touched by genius and madness, inspired by holy autocracy, tainted by remorseless killing and sexual decadence. Montefiore's gripping family chronicle reveals a secret world of unlimited power, ruthless empire-building and palace conspiracy, with a global cast of tyrants, poets and adventuresses - from Ivan the Terrible to Lenin, Tolstoy to Lincoln, and the Kaiser to Queen Victoria. To rule Russia was both imperial-sacred mission and poisoned chalice: half of the last twelve tsars were murdered. Peter the Great tortured his own son to death, yet made Russia into an empire. The most brilliant of a bizarre succession of dangerously capricious empresses, Catherine the Great overthrew her own husband, who was murdered soon afterwards, loved her young male favourites, conquered Ukraine and fascinated Europe. Demented Paul was strangled by his 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 climaxes with a fresh, unforgettable portrayal of Nicholas and Alexandra, the rise and murder of Rasputin, war and revolution - and the heartbreaking massacre of the entire family. Written with dazzling literary flair and drawing on new archival research, THE ROMANOVS is an enthralling story of triumph and tragedy, love and death, a universal study in power, and an essential portrait of the empire that still defines Russia today.