audiobook A Concise History of the Modern World: 1500 to the Present: A Guide to World Affairs; Fourth Edition by W. Woodruff in History

Description

“[A] tale of power; perseverance and passion . . . a great story in the hands of a master storyteller.”—The Wall Street Journal The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Peter the Great; Nicholas and Alexandra; and The Romanovs returns with another masterpiece of narrative biography; the extraordinary story of an obscure German princess who became one of the most remarkable; powerful; and captivating women in history. Born into a minor noble family; Catherine transformed herself into empress of Russia by sheer determination. For thirty-four years; the government; foreign policy; cultural development; and welfare of the Russian people were in her hands. She dealt with domestic rebellion; foreign wars; and the tidal wave of political change and violence churned up by the French Revolution. Catherine’s family; friends; ministers; generals; lovers; and enemies—all are here; vividly brought to life. History offers few stories richer than that of Catherine the Great. In this book; an eternally fascinating woman is returned to life. “[A] compelling portrait not just of a Russian titan; but also of a flesh-and-blood woman.”—Newsweek “An absorbing; satisfying biography.”—Los Angeles Times “Juicy and suspenseful.”—The New York Times Book Review “A great life; indeed; and irresistibly told.”—Salon NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times • The Washington Post • USA Today • The Boston Globe • San Francisco Chronicle • Chicago Tribune • Newsweek/The Daily Beast • Salon • Vogue • St. Louis Post-Dispatch • The Providence Journal • Washington Examiner • South Florida Sun-Sentinel • BookPage • Bookreporter • Publishers Weekly