Simon Sebag Montefiore's "The Romanovs: 1613-1918" recounts the captivating and dazzling rise and fall of Russia's royal dynasty. The 450-year history of the Romanovs, from 1613 to the family's eventual execution by the Bolsheviks in 1918, is explored in vivid detail through Montefiore's informative and well-crafted narrative.
The book is centered around the events of 1613, when the Romanovs first rose to power through the election of Michael Romanov as Tsar of Russia. Montefiore details the places and personalities behind the family's rise to power, while simultaneously offering a critical assessment of their reign. He doubles down on the family's successes, contrasting them against their abject failures, such as the catastrophic consequences of the war with Napoleon, in order to paint an accurate and objective picture of the dynasty and its influence over Russia.
The Romanovs' first reign was marked by the full centralization of power in the tsar, the nation's expanding borders, and the furtherment of Russian culture. Montefiore covers a variety of topics, such as Peter the Great who modernized the state's military and infrastructure; Catherine the Great who furthered the nation's education and legislated a degree of individual rights; and Nicholas I, who helped develop Russia's industry and tame its unruly peasantry.
The century of rule—including the succession of Tsars, their political and military successes, and the tumultuous social situation of their countrymen—all contribute to Montefiore's comprehensive narrative. The final chapters of the book cover the dynamic and tumultuous rule of the last Romanov, Nicholas the II and his family, who failed to bring reform to the nation while simultaneously becoming more and more estranged from their people. Montefiore's honest and detailed assessment of what ultimately led to the Romanov's execution is both heartbreaking and captivating.
Ultimately, "The Romanovs: 1613-1918" is a captivating and comprehensive account of the complex rise and fall of one of Russia's oldest and most influential dynasties. Its narrative of the people and ideas behind the family's acme of success, their gradual descent from power, and their violent destruction is sure to spark the interest and intrigue of readers from all walks of life. The book also provides an valuable account of the various events that shaped Russia in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, making it a must-read for anyone looking to understand the complex and complicated history of the nation.
