The Romanovs: 1613-1918
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The Romanovs: 1613-1918
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Narrated by:
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Simon Russell Beale
About this listen
The Romanovs were the most successful dynasty of modern times, ruling a sixth of the world's surface. How did one family turn a war-ruined principality into the world's greatest empire? And how did they lose it all?
This is the intimate story of 20 tsars and tsarinas, some touched by genius, some by madness, but all inspired by holy autocracy and imperial ambition. Montefiore's gripping chronicle reveals their secret world of unlimited power and ruthless empire building, overshadowed by palace conspiracy, family rivalries, sexual decadence and wild extravagance and peopled by a cast of adventurers, courtesans, revolutionaries and poets, from Ivan the Terrible to Tolstoy, from Queen Victoria to Lenin.
To rule Russia was both imperial-sacred mission and poisoned chalice. Six tsars were murdered, and all the Romanovs lived under constant threat to their lives. Peter the Great tortured his own son to death while making Russia an empire and dominated his court with a dining club notable for compulsory drunkenness, naked dwarfs and fancy dress. Catherine the Great overthrew her own husband - who was murdered soon afterwards - loved her young male favourites, conquered Ukraine and fascinated Europe. Paul was strangled by courtiers backed by his own son, Alexander I, who faced Napoleon's invasion and the burning of Moscow, then went on to take Paris. Alexander II liberated the serfs, survived five assassination attempts, and wrote perhaps the most explicit love letters ever written by a ruler.
The Romanovs: 1613-1918 climaxes with a fresh, unforgettable portrayal of Nicholas and Alexandra, the rise and murder of Rasputin, war and revolution - and the harrowing massacre of the entire family. Written with dazzling literary flair, drawing on new archival research, The Romanovs: 1613-1918 is at once an enthralling story of triumph and tragedy, love and death, a universal study of power and an essential portrait of the empire that still defines Russia today.
©2016 Simon Sebag Montefiore (P)2016 Orion Publishing GroupWhat listeners say about The Romanovs: 1613-1918
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gregory
- 17-09-2016
Really enjoyed it
I wasnt sure I would like the narrative style of this series, but I ended up quite enjoying it. The story itself is amazing, it has everthing. I went on a journey, culminating in tears at the end, so involved I had become without even realising.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- AM
- 22-03-2018
The glory, the grandure and the mayhem!
Would you listen to The Romanovs: 1613-1918 again? Why?
Yes - I'll be listening to this book over and over, down through the years - can't get enough of it.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Romanovs: 1613-1918?
Getting more of an understanding of the era of Catherine the Great
What about Simon Russell Beale’s performance did you like?
Everything
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The lot.
Any additional comments?
No
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 07-04-2024
Outstanding
Fantastic book, in depth and interesting. Great narration. Highly recommend to anyone curious about Russia
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shane
- 12-06-2016
Thorough History
This book was a really fantastic look at a topic not known by most of the historically literate west. The author does a fantastic job at explaining this usually new material in a way that, while detailed, is easy to follow. Although there were times when the amount of names got confusing, the narrative was so centered around the important characters, that confusion was kept to a minimum.
This book did not propose any groundbreaking insights or controversial theories, but rather it told a long, detailed story well. It is one of the best books I have listened to on Audible to date.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 09-01-2019
Listening for the second time!
If, like me, you are fascinated by this topic- you will not be disappointed with this book! The narrator is excellent, and the book itself is amazing. Detailed, without being too heavy. I couldn't stop listening! 10/10!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 16-09-2020
Extraordinary
Enthralling. An extraordinary panoply of power ambition, vision, pettiness and incompetence. While the end was shocking and sad, I didn't have much sympathy for Nicolas II, or Empress Alexandra. The times simply moved too fast for their limited vision and capacity. I could say much more.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David
- 02-05-2022
Brilliant - required listening
I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book and found the subject matter to be truly fascinating and I would recommend this audio book as required listening / reading to help one's understand the nature of Vladimir Putin's Russia and the history from which enabled his rise to autocratic power.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marianna Koulias
- 14-08-2020
A captivating account of Russian history
This is a complex history, told brilliantly through the narration of private letters between the Romanovs themselves and with their contemporaries. Although the story of the end of the Romanovs has been told many times, you will enjoy the detail (and debauchery) of this account and the political struggles of the period.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rodney Wetherell
- 31-07-2017
Brilliant detailed story of a dynasty
Where does The Romanovs: 1613-1918 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Very high, though can't be compared with works of fiction. However, it does have an extraordinary story to tell - quite unbelievable at times.
What did you like best about this story?
The erudite and gripping prose.
Have you listened to any of Simon Russell Beale’s other performances? How does this one compare?
No
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Arrogance and blood
Any additional comments?
I listened to much of The Romanovs in a state of incredulity - and I did know something about this dynasty. I have never felt in sympathy towards things Russian - except for some of their literature and music - and I feel less sympathetic than ever, after hearing the details of the behaviour of their monarchs over several centuries. Their cruelty and callousness is incredible.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Angus Thomson
- 25-06-2018
Fascinating story.
Recommended for all Russian history fans. Detailed and interesting. A fascinating insight into the Romanov family and Russian history.
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