Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

Description

The extraordinary story of an obscure German princess who became one of the most powerful women in history. Born into a minor noble family, Catherine transformed herself into empress of Russia by sheer determination. For thirty-four years, the government, foreign policy, cultural development and welfare of the Russian people were in her hands. She dealt with domestic rebellion, foreign wars and the tidal wave of political change and violence churned up by the French Revolution. History offers few stories richer than that of Catherine the Great. Robert K. Massie brings an eternally fascinating woman together with her family, friends, ministers, generals, lovers and enemies - vividly and triumphantly to life.

Robert K. Massie was born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1929. He studied American History at Yale University and Modern European History at Oxford University, which he attended as a Rhodes scholar. He lives in Irvington, New York.

A biographer with the instincts of a novelist * New York Times * A masterful, intimate and tantalising portrait of a majestic monarch * Publishers Weekly * A sensitive and compelling portrait not just of a Russian titan, but also of a flesh-and-blood woman * Newsweek * This really is a remarkably well-judged volume... including such a high level of detail without allowing the narrative to sag is an impressive feat and this book can be heartily recommended as a result' * History of Royals *