Customer Reviews

Rasputin: A Life

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Fuhrmann's book has given rise to many different reactions. It is true that there seems to be a lack of a central thesis. But in this excellent biography Rasputin's search for influence serves, in some ways, as a thesis. The problem is that this character was quite complex, and no one has better elucidated the problems and issues concerning Rasputin. Fuhrmann is also adept at extending these themes to this entire period of Russian history. The third section (focusing on government and religious officials) is a bit thick. But this was Rasputin's world as he lived it, and this book is a scholarly biography. If you want 400 pages that list Rasputin's debaucheries, go elsewhere. Yet the book is never dull, for nor was Rasputin.

His sinful side and his holy side are both clearly and abundantly explained via fascinating examples. Fuhrmann deserves praise for making controversial judgments. For instance, he unequivocally declares that Rasputin possessed healing abilities that are unexplainable.

This is an excellent book for expert or beginner. The author richly brings Rasputin and his dead world back to life. The reader will be pulled to this strange land, and thus will gain insight into the tragedy of Russia's 20th century history. Particularly compelling is the (often) sad end of the people who were important in Rasputin's life. With painful detail, Fuhrmann presents this material in the concudling section.

Furhmann's thoroughly - researched & enjoyable book debunks the
legend of the sex-crazed peasant that toppled an empire.
The author shows how the reaction by many to Rasputin
contributed to the Empire's downfall. Rather than the sole cunning
puppet-master, Rasputin was only one of several who controlled
the strings that tangled & toppled the last Tsar. Although he is, at
best, a secondary character throughout most of the
narrative, Furhmann clearly shows how Nicholas II was
simply not "born to rule."

Fuhrman does an excellent job examining Rasputin's influence on Alexandra, her husband, and ultimately the decisions that lead to the fall of the dynasty. He provides many examples regarding governmental ministry appointments in which Rasputin's decision is the ultimate answer, although he includes background information about random persons which, until later, seems irrelevant--one must skim to find the actual connection with Rasputin, and even then it sometimes is tentitive. Overall, the book is a good factual recount of the influence of Rasputin,

This book is a rather tedious narrative of a not so
tedious "starets", or Russian holy man, G.E. Rasputin,
who apparently was anything but holy. However,the book
is useful in carefully depicting the enormous amount
of influence this malevolent monk had upon the Russian
Tsar Nicholas II and particularly on Alexandra, his
wife. Rasputin's early life, climb to power and influence,
exercise of power, and decline and assassination are
covered in exquisite detail--almost too much. Not covered
are details of his sexual conquests (although apparently
there were many!)of Russian ladies of the nobility. The
book also shows that Rasputin's celebrated "treatment" of
the Tsarevich Alexis' hemophilia was most likely a combination
of good timing and luck. If you like wading through a
maze of Russian political and Orthodox church personalities,
plots and counterplots, and some genuinely interesting
tidbits about the "mad monk"--this book is for you.