“Michael Farquhar doesn’t write about history the way; say; Doris Kearns Goodwin does. He writes about history the way Doris Kearns Goodwin’s smart-ass; reprobate kid brother might. I; for one; prefer it.â€â€”Gene Weingarten; two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Washington Post columnist Scandal! Intrigue! Cossacks! Here the world’s most engaging royal historian chronicles the world’s most fascinating imperial dynasty: the Romanovs; whose three-hundred-year reign was remarkable for its shocking violence; spectacular excess; and unimaginable venality. In this incredibly entertaining history; Michael Farquhar collects the best; most captivating true tales of Romanov iniquity. We meet Catherine the Great; with her endless parade of virile young lovers (none of them of the equine variety); her unhinged son; Paul I; who ordered the bones of one of his mother’s paramours dug out of its grave and tossed into a gorge; and Grigori Rasputin; the “Mad Monk;†whose mesmeric domination of the last of the Romanov tsars helped lead to the monarchy’s undoing. From Peter the Great’s penchant for personally beheading his recalcitrant subjects (he kept the severed head of one of his mistresses pickled in alcohol) to Nicholas and Alexandra’s brutal demise at the hands of the Bolsheviks; Secret Lives of the Tsars captures all the splendor and infamy that was Imperial Russia.Praise for Secret Lives of the Tsars “An accessible; exciting narrative . . . Highly recommended for generalists interested in Russian history and those who enjoy the seamier side of past lives.â€â€”Library Journal (starred review)“An excellent condensed version of Russian history . . . a fine tale of history and scandal . . . sure to please general readers and monarchy buffs alike.â€â€”Publishers Weekly “Tales from the nasty lives of global royalty . . . an easy-reading; lightweight history lesson.â€â€”Kirkus Reviews“Readers of this book may get a sense of why Russians are so tolerant of tyrants like Stalin and Putin. Given their history; it probably seems normal.â€â€”The Washington Post
#6288 in Books Random House Trade Paperbacks 2004-01-13 2004-01-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.99 x .54 x 5.17l; .40 #File Name: 0812968379240 pagesGreat product!
Review
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Hilarious and so very insightful - a must-read!By NancyJI've now read all three of her books and loved them all. She has a gentle way of observing her life that's also absolutely hilarious. I think every American should read her books; especially with the suspicions toward foreign-born raging in our country right now. Meeting people from other countries is so important; and making friends with them will lead to peace. It was great to 'meet' Firoozeh through her books. Keep writing! We are a better - and safer country - because she and her family are here!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. I recommend thisBy barbarajeThis was a very funny and relatable book. We all know someone who is old fashioned; or doesn't speak the language well and is trying to fit in. This is Firoozeh's family; and the simplest things require a slight shifting of the brain to accommodate them. The complex things turn out needing to be seen from a different angle completely. The author herself came to America as a child; and so has one foot in each culture. Aside from that; she has a good way with words; and knows how to write; bringing humor to those times we all have that seem funny only in retrospect.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Laugh out loud funny in placesBy Cynthia Hass BishopLaugh out loud funny in places. Offers a unique insight into a family from an Iranian culture into an American culture. Living as an US expat in a foreign country; I can truly appreciate the challenges of new foods; new slang terms; new ways of behaving in public. Loved their close knit family ties that bound them together and supported them during their "assimilation" into the American lifestyles. Highly recommend this book. Well written; honest; insightful. I felt enlightened by Ms. Dumas' honesty and entertaining writing style; and was; quite honestly; wishing the book hadn't ended.
