The Romanovs 1818-1959 [Paperback]

John Van der Kiste (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

This work examines Alexander II's life and reign, and the lives of his children, including his successor Tsar Alexander III, whose determination to purge the empire of all terrorism and protect the autocracy brought more violence in its wake; and his grandson, Tsar Nicholas II, whose vacillation between autocracy and liberalism and disastrous foreign ventures led to the violent dissolution of the monarchy. It also recounts the lives of the Tsar's children from his controversial second marriage - to his mistress, Catherine Dolgorouky - of whom the youngest, Catherine, lived in England for several years and died in 1959. The collapse of the dynasty, the Russian revolution and execution of several members of the family are thus seen through the eyes of the surviving sons and daughters of the Tsar Liberator.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This study wisely skirts around the last czar, Nicholas II, and his consort, Alexandra, in its focus on more interesting (and equally tragic) members of Russia's doomed dynastic house. In particular, Van der Kiste's portrait of Alexander II is especially affecting. The Czar Liberator emancipated the serfs and hoped to reform and re-energize local government, but his liberal policies unleashed pent-up frustrations and revolutionary ardor, culminating in his assassination. Some of the more obscure family members are quite fascinating, including those who lived quiet lives of exile in England and France. The illustrations, many of them rarely published, supplement a well-written and often emotionally moving family chronicle. Jay Freeman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

John Van der Kiste is a well known royal writer and has written many successful books for Sutton, including GeorgeV's Children, George III's Children, Xenia, Once a Grand Duchess and Dearest Vicky, Darling Fritz. He has recently got engaged and lives in Devon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: The History Press (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075093459X
• ISBN-13: 978-0750934596
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,061,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Van der Kiste read Librarianship at Ealing Technical College, where he edited the students' journal Stamp Out. He has published over forty books, including titles on historical biography, local history and true crime, music, fiction, and edited a Christmas anthology. He lives in Devon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Less is more...in this case it's still less, December 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Romanovs 1818-1959: Alexander II of Russia and His Family (Hardcover)

If you've read any of Mr. Van Der Kistes works you will usually find them to be sound bytes rather than a volume filled with information. The Romanovs is a decent book, but hardly worth this price. Mr. Van Der Kiste as usual skims the surface, doesn't even go near his subject matter. He crams a history of a family, into two hundred pages, five generations, and at least 100 members. Some he mentions some he doesn't. And unfortunately it's been done much better. Perry and Pleshakov recently did a very good job with The Flight of the Romanovs. If one is going to tackle such a subject, one should be able to provide information, rather than sound bytes. But this is the fourth book I've read by Mr. Van Der Kiste, and they're all pretty much the same. Lacking in substance.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, good read, January 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Romanovs 1818-1959: Alexander II of Russia and His Family (Hardcover)

Focuses on the family and descendants of Alexander II. Primarily concerns secondary members of the Imperial Family. If you are familiar with the Romanovs, you'll enjoy reading about the lives of some of the lesser known family members. The book contains some nice photos of the family. I recommend this book to anyonewho has an interest in royalty.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting history of the Romanov family, March 26, 2002

By 

Moe811 (New York USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Romanovs 1818-1959 (Paperback)

Mr. Van Der Kiste has once again given the reader a history of a royal family that presents the members as real people and not just historical personages. He also mentions collateral members of the family, not just the czars. Many photos enhance the text. A very enjoyable read.