Rate this book

From Splendor To Revolution: The Romanov Women, 1847--1928 (2011)

by Julia P. Gelardi(Favorite Author)

4.01 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0312371152 (ISBN13: 9780312371159)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

St. Martin's Press

review 1: My biggest problem with this book is that it tried to cover too much. Perhaps if the author centered on two of the ladies instead of four. She also wrote chronologically and while this usually works best, she jumped from person to person without sometimes finishing the part she jumped from. Also the names were confusing, as usually happens with European royalty. The names are used repeatedly from person to person, and even adding the patronymics didn't always help.Then there is the use of titles. She also discussed minor characters whose names were similar as many of them were cousins or children or grandchildren. I would like to see Ms. Gelardi write a biography of one person. It is only the confusion of characters which ruins the book. I had another book by her on my W... moreish List, but since it also involves multiple main characters of the same family, I have removed it.
review 2: A well researched and well written book which gives insight into the lives of four of the most powerful Romanov women from 1847-1928. The extremes in their lives are stark- from being the wealthiest in the world and priviledged beyond believe to the unbelievable distruction of the home they all had in common, Russia and the sadness at the end of their lives. Their tale also speaks to the human spirit and will, the Romanov's a dynastic autocracy ruled Russia for three hundred years - opulence, decadence, stringent hold on tradition, and a narrow-mindedness to a certain extent and on the flip side, the depravity, unbridled evil, distain for tradition and wontan disregard for human life by the Bolsheviks, Lenin etc. It is a must read! less

Download links for: From Splendor to Revolution: The Romanov Women, 1847--1928

Advertising