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Catherine the Great: Love, Sex, and Power

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It's one of those surprises of history that one of Russia's most effective rulers was a woman, and not Russian at all. The Russian Empire after the death of Peter the Great in the early eighteenth century became a 'winner-take-all, free-for-all' between various descendants of his. By the time that the daughter of Peter, Elizabeth Petrovna, seized power and imprisoned the infant Ivan VI in a remote fortress, there were only two claimants to the Romanov crown left -- herself, and her nephew, a teenager named Peter. Clearly, the best solution to further palace coups and possible uprisings was to establish a clear line of succession.

A bride must be found and as quickly as possible. A Roman Catholic would not be acceptable, but a German Protestant princess who would not mind converting to Russian Orthodoxy just might work. And for one princess in particular, Empress Elizabeth had a soft-spot in her heart. Once, Elizabeth had been engaged to a German prince, but when he had died, the marriage did not happen. This princeling, however, had a sister -- Johanna, who in turn married the prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, and she had a daughter who was just a year younger than Grand Duke Peter.

Sophie Fredericka Auguste was a lively, intelligent teenager when she arrived in Russia with her mother for a closer look by the Empress. She wasn't exactly pretty, but she had a pair of beautiful dark blue eyes, a quick mind, and a willingness to please. Both the Empress and the Grand Duke liked what they saw, and after some careful negotiations, Sophie converted to Orthodoxy, and became Catherine Alexeyevna, and married Peter. The one problem was Johanna, who kept trying to steal the show from her daughter, dabbled in political machinations, and quite nearly ruined it all for her daughter before being returned to Germany.

But married life wasn't that easy for young Catherine. Not only did she have to deal with Empress Elizabeth's whims and capricious nature, her husband Peter was less than ideal as a spouse. For one, he wasn't that eager to consummate the marriage, prefering to scrape away at his violin, and indulging his whims for playing with soldiers, both toy and real ones. Indeed, as years passed, Catherine found herself in a very unenviable state -- no heir, and an ever irritated Empress, along with a husband who cared nothing for her.

There was really only one solution -- Catherine focused her mind on educating herself in politics and Russia, determined to become entirely Russian, and cutting off her homeland. She also used every scrap of charm and intelligence that she had, slowly gathering a coterie of supporters and finally managing to get her husband to make the marriage a reality. But that didn't mean the battle was over -- both of her infant children, Paul and Anna, were taken away from her and raised by Empress Elizabeth, and Grand Duke Peter started to consider divorcing Catherine. Finally, when Peter became Tsar, Catherine knew she had to act to save herself.

How she took power for herself, and then managed to keep it despite attempted revolts, various pretenders, war with the Ottoman empire, and still managed to be an object of admiration for the time, well, that's what makes this biography so interesting to read. Rounding takes not a political, nor exactly a chronological, look at Catherine the Great's life, but a personal one. Using Catherine's own memoirs and letters, along with the contemporary accounts of those in her life, she gives a very personal look at a powerful woman, who wasn't afraid of taking very big bites of life.

Her passions ranged from her lovers -- Gregory Orlov and Potemkin among them, to the arts -- the Hermitage, one of the most fabulous collections of art in the world, to the palaces of St. Petersburg and Tsarskoye Selo are mostly her creation and inspiration. But as well as her enjoyment of the arts, there was also a very ruthless side to the Empress. She may or may not have had a hand in the murder of her husband after his abdication -- how much Catherine was involved is still a question today, and she would discard a lover with a 'customary' present of land, serfs, and fine gifts, with the unspoken understanding that the affair was over.

But throughout the story I also got to see some of the personality and vibrancy of Catherine II through her letters and descriptions of her life. One surprise was the relationship that she had with her son, who would become Tsar Paul -- while there isn't much of a maternal love there, she was genuinely interested in what he was doing, and never did seem to wish him hard. On the other hand, she took physical and emotional charge of his two eldest children, Alexander and Constantine, in much the same way that Empress Elizabeth had taken Paul away from her.

Rounding's narrative is full of life and insight, and compared to most dusty and dry biographies, this one satisfies on several levels. I can happily recommend it for anyone interested in either Russian history, or how a woman in what was very much a man's world, managed to become one of its most powerful leaders. And yes, the horse myth is finally put to rest, and I hope, for good.

As well as two inserts of colour photos, there are extensive notes, bibliographies, sources and index to help in further research. A genealogical chart helps to sort out the complicated relationships of the Russian rulers in the eighteenth century. The images are particularly fine in this one, and have several paintings that I have not seen reproduced elsewhere.

Recommended.

The confluence of sex and power politics goes back at least to ancient Egypt. It is doubtful, however, that it was ever practiced more openly or with more decisive results than during the reign of Catherine II (Catherine the Great) over the Russian empire.

In this book Virginia Rounding has tried gamely to balance the two forces by concentrating on Catherine herself and the small army of friends and foes who surrounded her during her reign from 1762 until her death in 1796. It is a long and complex story, told here in exhaustive detail. Rounding freely admits that history has yet to reach a final consensus on Catherine. She lays out the evidence for 500-plus pages, concluding rather tentatively in her very last sentence that her subject does indeed deserve the honorific "Great." But it is, as Britisher Rounding might say, a near thing.

On the plus side, Catherine was a shrewd and resourceful ruler who introduced badly needed reforms into her empire's governmental structure and educational system. She fostered the arts as one of history's great collectors of paintings. She introduced the practice of inoculation against disease into Russian medical practice, corresponded with Voltaire and had the French encyclopediste philosopher Denis Diderot as one of her conversational partners. She had an enlightened attitude on the need to keep religion and politics separate. She was a wit, a fine writer and a canny judge of character. Her subjects in general loved her, and those who did not had the good sense to watch their backs.

But behind all this there lay a compulsive sexual adventurer, unfaithful wife and shameless player of boudoir politics. Rounding lists a round dozen of men who served successively (and openly) as her "favorites." She was at least aware of, if not directly complicit in, the murder of her first husband, and she took great pleasure in ruling arbitrarily the lives of her own family and those in her inner circle of advisors.

Rounding's book gets off to a ponderous start. Up to the time when Catherine becomes empress --- about one-third of the way through the book --- it is a hard slog for the reader, choked with exhaustive and unnecessary detail about court ceremonials, royal pilgrimages and amusements. We learn how many footmen were involved in every trip, what everyone wore and where they stood when in the royal presence. Perhaps Rounding is influenced by her own country's longstanding fascination with such details --- but here the narrative is slowed down unnecessarily.

When the German-born princess finally does ascend the throne, the pace quickens as affairs of state crowd onstage and the parade of royal lovers begins to defile past. Of the dozen "favorites," two seem to have had lasting influence on Catherine's policies as well as on her sexual life. Count Grigory Orlov remained a valued advisor and operative for many years after he left her bed; and the best known of them all was the famous Grigory Potemkin, on whom she depended for political advice until the day he died. And each "favorite," upon dismissal, was handsomely rewarded with gifts of estates, jewels and serfs by the thousands.

For the general reader, the most surprising revelation is this: The story of Potemkin erecting false villages along the Dnieper River to trick Catherine into believing that all was well with the peasantry --- the exploit that gave us the still-current phrase "Potemkin village" --- is a myth. Rounding dismisses it with a contemptuous wave of her literary hand.

The process of choosing these "favorites" was very public. Foreign diplomats commented on it at length in their dispatches, speculating on what the ascendancy of one or the other might mean for Russian policy. Rounding makes gleeful use of the comments on such matters by a succession of British, French and other diplomats.

The author threads her way through the vast complex corridors of Russian Tsarist power with practiced ease and often points out parallels to later ages --- she reports that Catherine was, among other things, a master of "spin."

You will learn more than you need to know about a lot of trivial aspects of Catherine the Great's world in this book. But the story itself and its wildly colorful cast of characters are worth following to the end.

--- Reviewed by Robert Finn (Robertfinn@aol.com)

One of the more interesting characters in history, Catherine engineered a coup in 1762 that put her on the throne of Russia as she replaced her husband. From here she would rule Russia until her death, 34 years later. Her political accomplishments during those years are spactacular: wars fought and won, reorienting Russia from Asia to Europe, extending Russia's borders, expanding education and the arts.

At the same time her bedroom exploits became legendary around Europe. She had a succession of lovers that also seemed to serve as political advisors. It seems that these lovers were selected by Catherine based on the recommendations of members of the court. It is important to remember that this was a time when in most of the world women were basically considered chattels.

This is a well researched book on a subject that provides a balanced look at Catherine, chronicling her strengths as well as her weaknesses. Her conclusion is that the soubriquet 'the Great' is justified.

Empress Catherine II, usually referred to as Catherine the Great, was one of the most fascinating figures of power in Europe. Born Sophie Frederica Auguste of Anhalt-Zerbst in 1729, she was Empress of All the Russias from 1759 until her death in 1796.

Ms Rounding has provided a biography of Catherine which, while it is based on the person, covers the history and politics as well.

So, who was Catherine and how did a relatively minor princess who was not even Russian born become the longest reigning monarch in Russian imperial history?

This is a fascinating study in power and politics as well as a personal journey through the life of one of the most intriguing women documented in history. Catherine herself was a complex character: a tireless legislator; a generous patron of philosophers (including men such as Denis Diderot and Voltaire); and an art collector (her systematic acquisition formed the basis of the great `Hermitage' collection). Catherine was a dutiful daughter, a domineering mother and an indulgent grandmother. Catherine was also a prodigious writer, and it is largely through her writings that Ms Rounding has compiled this biography.

This book is not hagiographic. Although Ms Rounding is sympathetic to Catherine, she does not ignore the retinue of lovers, the intrigues and the rumours. If you are interested in this specific period of history, or in studies of female rulers, I recommend this book.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Rounding must have poured over letters and diaries for years to produce this interesting work on the personal life of Catherine the Great. It's quite a story. Catherine's governing and military leadership are beyond the scope of the book. I would have liked more background than what was given, but the personal focus would have suffered.

The highlights for me were the descriptions of her childhood and life as a young woman and wife. In this section Rounding gives the reader a lot of lot of guidance on the character of the young Catherine, her mother, her soon to be husband and the Empress Elizabeth.

As the book progresses, Rounding reproduces an increasing number of paragraphs from original sources. In some cases this adds flavor. Catherine's text (p. 404) upon the death of her current favorite, Sasha Landskoy demonstrates far better than description could, Catherine's self-absorption. Other times, long quoted passages bog down the story. The quoting increases in the later parts of the book, and as a consequence, less guidance is given by the author.

There is a lot of description of the pageantry, who wore what and what they ate. There are lavish parties and "alimony" settlements. I particularly liked the descriptions of how these and other royals traveled. The logistics must have been enormous.

This is definitely a worthwhile book if you are interested in this period.

This well-researched biography does a superb job at giving the reader a look into the world of Catherine the Great and what made her tick. Though she was born a minor German princess and didn't seem destined for much greatness or renown, she was lucky enough to have been in the right place at the right time and to become one of Russia's greatest and most beloved rulers. One of the things that endeared her to the people was her wholehearted embrace of all things Russian. Catherine wasn't anything like her husband Peter III; when she converted to Russian Orthodoxy, she really meant it, and became very devout and observant instead of merely going through the motions but remaining a Lutheran at heart, and she embraced Russia as her own land and the Russians as her own people, complete with quickly learning the language fluently. She was one of them and not just some foreign transplant.

After taking power after the death of Peter's aunt Empress Elizabeth, Catherine lost no time in getting down to business. She had made powerful connections during her time as Grand Duchess, and now began using them in earnest. Besides having the support of the people and members of royal society, she was an educated intelligent woman and had been very much influenced by the ideas and people of the Enlightenment. It was clear from pretty much the outset that she was not merely going to be serving as Regent till her son Paul reached his majority. And during her reign, she saw Russia through outbreaks of bubonic plague, a flood, numerous wars, civil unrest, the beginnings of mass inoculation, many reforms of the legal, educational, social, and religious systems, an improvement in the quality of life for many Russians, and the shaping of Russia into a major world power, a player to be taken seriously on the world stage. She was also the last of Russia's great female rulers, as after her death her son Paul reinstituted the law of primogeniture, prohibiting a woman from ever again taking power.

This book also cleared up some misinformation I had gotten over the years, though I had never believed that slanderous urban legend about Catherine being crushed to death by a horse she was copulating with; it's ridiculous that I had two teachers who told that story as though it were true. Catherine was an amazing inspiring woman, yet most people who aren't well-versed in Russian history usually remember only one thing about her; that's the type of urban legend that one isn't very likely to forget after having heard it. Ms. Rounding also shatters the urban legend about "Potemkin villages." I had also gotten the idea that Empress Elizabeth and Catherine were a lot closer than they actually were; far from Elizabeth mentoring Catherine and being one of her closest confidantes, she actually didn't get along too well with her on most occasions. This book also gives a more nuanced view of Peter III and Paul; while it's clear that Peter did have some screws loose, it seems as though he were more immature and unaware of the role that was expected of him than anything else. Now it seems more understandable why he acted the way he did, given how he was treated by his aunt Elizabeth and her court. As for Paul, it's probably for the better that he only became Tsar after his mother's death and then only served for 5 years before being murdered, but he was raised much like his (possible) father, and treated in much the same way even after he became an adult. No wonder he resented his mother and was such a weak person.

My only complaint about the book is that it does start out kind of slow and even boring, what with so many unnecessary details, particularly about things like court ceremonies, balls, and carriage journeys. It becomes a lot more interesting and fast-paced after Catherine comes into her own and takes power. And it's great that the book focuses on her personal life instead of being bogged down in a lot of overly academic material, but it would have been nice had the portrait been balanced out by some more coverage and details of her policies, reforms, and Russian history in general. Still, this is a great biography for anyone interested in Russian history in general or Catherine in particular.

Daily Mail (Christopher Hudson)

[Rounding] writes with enviable lucidity, and gives us the most accessible and enjoyable portrait yet of a ruler immeasurably better than the militaristic small-minded men who succeeded her.

Telegraph (Frances Wilson)

Catherine the Great is a thumping great triumph of a book, packed with details about a world in which detail - of dress, manners, rank - was everything.

Financial Times (John Lloyd)

For a sense of Catherine's intimate life, sexual appetites, preoccupations, ruthlessness, intellectual scope, sentimentality and dedication, this is a great piece of work... a treasure house of detail... hugely well informed... replete with insights.

Sunday Telegraph (Simon Sebag Montefiore)

A competent, enjoyable and perceptive study of an outstanding Empress. Virginia Rounding has read widely, and writes punctilious, professional history with a no-nonsense style and a respectful relish for the details that make the past come alive.

Sunday Times (Lucy Hughes-Hallett)

This book is written with vigour and intelligence enough to do justice to its prodigious subject.

The Spectator (Charlotte Hobson)

In this entertaining new biography, Virginia Rounding explores `Catherine as a woman', the character and passions that sustained this extraordinary life.

Western Mail Series (Cathy Winston - in various local papers)

There can be few women in history as enduringly interesting as Catherine the Great - and Rounding's excellent biography ensures we do not forget that.

Times Literary Supplement (Douglas C. Smith)

A book as irrepressibly verbal as its subject, imbued with an engaging immediacy and directness. Rounding is excellent on the endless round of balls, masquerades, processions and ceremonies that constituted court life, and her account overflows with all manner of obscure yet intriguing details... These bits and pieces of information do what all good history writing should: they make Catherine's world unremarkably familiar and utterly strange at the same time... one of the most complete, finely rendered portraits of the Empress's intimate life.

Financial Times (in `Read your way around the world')

Sexually voracious, head-strong, hard-working and intellectual, Empress Catherine II of Russia was everything an 18th-century woman ought not to be. Yet as an absolute ruler - albeit one who came to power after turning a blind eye to her husband's murder - she did as she pleased, to the general scandal of both her court and the wider world. This rollicking biography does ample justice to her hugely energetic character.

The Australian (Helen Elliott)

Rounding... has a nice eye for the interior, supremely telling aspects about figures who sometimes seem more mythic than human... Reading Rounding's book is rather like swooshing through the dark in a glittering sleigh drawn by 16 horses. You want to screech to a stop often, but there simply isn't the time: an echo of Catherine's life, perhaps, and all things considered a fine introduction to endless riches.

The book starts off tedious and takes you through life in the royal court. The book takes you through several stages in Catherine's life , marriage with her relative Peter, dealing with a cold mother-in-law, lovers, friends, dealing with difficult decisions to benefit herself , family , and her country. She plays the game of munipulation well, to stay on top of her game and not lose her status and position at all cost. What I"ve perceive, was a woman with the ability and foresight to see Russia's future. This book focuses more on her private life with her intimate circle, family, lovers, enemies and allies and quirks. I believe her true love was General Potemkin. Pick up this book and take a trip back in time .. interesting read.

Native Rose

I am not a historian. I am a person who Just wanted to know more about Catherine the great. She shares the same birthday as me and what I have heard of her brilliance and...sexuality (rumors about horses), made me want to read about her.

From this book I got to know Catherine. That's what I was hoping. Through ample research examples; letters from Catherine and from her peers, historical accounts...I really trusted Rounding as capable and also fair conveyor of Catherine's world (to the best of her ability!). She was committed to FACTS, yet facts are not always boring...in fact, most of these facts are quite entertaining! Some facts in the book were better than fiction. Some things in Catherine's life were so amazing that I had to call a friend in the middle of the book just to express my AWE. Some surprises I found were how poorly Catherine was treated at times...the state of her marriage...The state of Russia.

Still, as a casual reader, some of this book does get dense at times. I personally have trouble navigating through all the Russian names and some of the politics. That being said, I learned so much more from this book than I anticipated. It was worth the commitment to the book to get through the challenging parts.

This book is not sensationalism, although it is...at times Sensational. Catherine was a much more brilliant and focused woman than I could have hoped. A true leader! Certainly she put in her dues to acquire so much experience and respect. The romantic escapades really take a back seat to the basis of Catherine's true power and expertise, but I wasn't upset by this at all. Lot's of interesting characters in this book besides Catherine too. This will get your imagination going.

Do read this book.

Wonderfully written. The extensive research is obvious. Fantastic picutes, and little extras: list of characters, family tree, etc. One of those books I could not put down and wish it never ended at the same time.