Nicholas II: The Life and Reign of Russia's Last Monarch [Hardcover]

Robert D. Warth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0275958329 | ISBN-13: 978-0275958329

This book is a scholarly, comprehensive, and critical biography of Nicholas II from his birth in 1868 to his execution in 1918. It features a chronological narrative emphasizing the political aspects of the Tsar's reign rather than details from his personal life—although new information about his life is revealed. Nicholas II is portrayed as a conscientious and reasonably intelligent ruler whose reign was marred by inept statesmanship and a stubborn determination to uphold the autocratic tradition of the Romanov dynasty even though he was forced to grant major political concessions in 1905. His imprudent foreign policy in East Asia precipitated a losing war with Japan. But a more cautious policy in Europe nevertheless involved Russia in a far greater conflict in 1914 that resulted in enormous casualties, economic hardship, and the collapse of the monarchy in 1917. As an individual, Nicholas was gentle and benevolent (except towards political dissidents) and proved to be a good husband and father. The serenity of his family life was disrupted by his son and heir's hemophilia, and the ensuing Rasputin scandal impaired the Tsar's image and contributed to his unpopularity. A final chapter examines his legacy and provides a theory of revolutionary causation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

?Warth's study has a number of strengths. He is particularly good describing the psychological burdens that bedeviled Nicholas II as tsar, his distaste for official life (especially his ministers), his devotion to duty, his closed-mindedness regarding reform, his unwillingness to acknowlege past mistakes, his sense of fatalism and superstitiousness, and his underlying feelings of inadequacy as Alexander III's son and autocrat of all the Russias.?-The Russian Review

Book Description

A study of the life of Nicholas II of Russia.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (November 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275958329
• ISBN-13: 978-0275958329
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,210,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An almost thorough account of Russia's last tsar., May 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Nicholas II: The Life and Reign of Russia's Last Monarch (Hardcover)

Warth titles this work "The Life and Reign of Russia's Last Monarch." But it must truly be noted that not a great deal of substance is given to Nicholas II's early life, prior to ascending the throne. Chapter one devotes little time to exploring the early life of Nicholas II. The rest of the book seemed very comprehensive, especially regarding the subject of the Russo-Japanese war. The Stolypin era was also fitting of an entire chapter dedicated to it. Although, I would have liked to have more detail on Rasputin and the role that his association may have ultimately played with the tsar's downfall, it was overall a well written biography of Russia's last tsar. If anything a human side of Nicholas is shown, even if that human side is riddled with stubborness and general distrust in the majority of his advisors.