Comments on: Review: Catherine the Great, Robert K. Massie

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:52:56 +0000

Have you read any of his other books? I have a copy of Nicholas and Alexandra somewhere and read his Peter the Great in high school. This sounds similar. Good narrative prose, reasonable in his judgments, but clearly meant for a popular audience to the extent that his use of sources is almost impossible to judge.

By: Literary Feline

Literary Feline — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:06:42 +0000

I don’t read a lot of biographies about famous people, but I read this one for a book group and really enjoyed it. Like you said, Massie’s style is very readable.

By: jessicabookworm

jessicabookworm — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:29:31 +0000

This sounds like an interesting read! I hardly know anything about Russian history but I would like to find out more after reading The Mirrored World by Debra Dean which I thought was fascinating.

By: Mystica

Mystica — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:19:58 +0000

I’d love to read this biography. Right now reading one of Isabella! riveting reading.

By: jenn aka the picky girl

jenn aka the picky girl — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:19:23 +0000

Hm. I don’t read many biographies, but this does sound interesting. The irony is that I’m actually editing a biographical manuscript at the moment. It’s tough because there isn’t a whole lot out there about this particular figure, so it’s a balancing act in terms of sources.

I also have to say, your “currently reading” bar always kills my TBR. Your books always look so intriguing!

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:11:37 +0000

I like the style and structure you’ve presented as to how Massie writes. Apart from the lack of notes (I agree with you that it’s difficult to trust in those situations) it sounds fair, and the inclusion of her early life and thus motivations must add a lot. I wouldn’t mind reading this.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:51:25 +0000

I have this one in paper and audio, and I love that mix, because I can go back and forth between the two. It sounds like an excellent read, and I have heard that even people who aren’t history lovers loved this book. So glad that you loved it. It moves up in the stack!!

By: bermudaonion (Kathy)

bermudaonion (Kathy) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:48:34 +0000

I’ve heard this is fantastic but I’ve been afraid it would be too dry for a non-history lover like me. It sounds like I need to give it a try.

By: Beth F

Beth F — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:14:09 +0000

I really loved this biography. Interesting about the notes because I listened to the audiobook and followed along in the print version so I could see the the photos. As a consequence, I wasn’t aware of the endnotes, or lack thereof. I had a couple of issues with the book too, but all in all came away highly recommending it.