Customer Reviews

Fearful Majesty: The Life and Reign of Ivan the Terrible

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Ivan IV the Terrible a remarkable personality in the Russian history is discussed thoroughly in this excellent book. I found this book extremely informative since not one page goes by without adding more historical facts to your knowledge. The book, not only give facts on Ivan, but also elaborates on Russian history and culture, which I found very useful in understanding Ivan and his role in the Russian history. I think the author has done excellent job in writing a concise, succinct and very fact oriented, yet in a reader friendly and interesting tone. The book gives detailed accounts of Ivan's genealogy, childhood and reign. This book can be very informative for those individuals who seek a quick research on Ivan the Terrible. I recommend this book without any reservations.

I could not put this biography down it was so interesting from the first page. There is a lot of technical stuff, but the author weaves an incredibly engaging story of Ivan the Terrible's reign and conquests, emotional, territorial, and spiritual. He was quite the character, rich in eccentricity and poor in basic ethics! The man was both devout and demonic, saintly and monstrously sinful. I loved this biography and would read it again just because I learned so much about Russian in the 1500's.

Very accessible bio of Russia's most enigmatic leader. Ivan was brilliant, cruel, and at times cowardly, and all his sides are exposed here. There is much information on his Oprichniki and the horror they brought to the land. The endless campaigns, fought on all sides of the Russian border against Poland, Sweden, Tartars, and Ottomans are given brief but solid treatment. The seige of Pskov, the burning of moscow, the battles with the tartars all make for thrilling reading. Of equal interest are Ivan's theological debates with foreigners, where he clearly shows his intelligence and learning. Ivan's penchant for torture is shown and requires a strong stomach to read. Lets not forget the conquest of Siberia and so many other things happening at this time. Bobrick has managed to fit so much in one volume, with hardly a wasted word. Great book.

I wasn't impressed by this slow read. It is very dull at most points which one would think would be hard to do considering the antics and terror that encompassed Ivan's reign. I think there are better biographies, keep looking.