As Massie relates, during her disastrous marriage to Peter, Catherine bore three children by three different lovers, and she and Peter were controlled by Peter's all-powerful aunt, Empress Elizabeth, who took physical possession of Catherine's firstborn, Paul. She was related through her ambitious mother to notable European royalty her husband-to-be, the Russian grand duke Peter, was the only living grandson of Peter the Great. The Pulitzer-winning biographer of Nicholas and Alexandra and of Peter the Great, Massie now relates the life of a minor German princess, Sophia of Anhalt-Zerbst, who became Empress Catherine II of Russia (1729 1796). NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BYīONUS: This edition contains a Catherine the Great reader's guide. “A great life, indeed, and irresistibly told.”-Salon “Juicy and suspenseful.”- The New York Times Book Review “An absorbing, satisfying biography.”- Los Angeles Times “ compelling portrait not just of a Russian titan, but also of a flesh-and-blood woman.”- Newsweek In this book, an eternally fascinating woman is returned to life. History offers few stories richer than that of Catherine the Great. Catherine’s family, friends, ministers, generals, lovers, and enemies-all are here, vividly brought to life. She dealt with domestic rebellion, foreign wars, and the tidal wave of political change and violence churned up by the French Revolution. For thirty-four years, the government, foreign policy, cultural development, and welfare of the Russian people were in her hands.
Born into a minor noble family, Catherine transformed herself into empress of Russia by sheer determination. The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Peter the Great, Nicholas and Alexandra, and The Romanovs returns with another masterpiece of narrative biography, the extraordinary story of an obscure German princess who became one of the most remarkable, powerful, and captivating women in history. a great story in the hands of a master storyteller.”- The Wall Street Journal “ tale of power, perseverance and passion.
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