This book is a scholarly, comprehensive, and critical biography of Nicholas II from his birth in 1868 to his execution in 1918. It features a chronological narrative emphasizing the political aspects of the Tsar's reign rather than details from his personal life--although new information about his life is revealed. Nicholas II is portrayed as a conscientious and reasonably intelligent ruler whose reign was marred by inept statesmanship and a stubborn determination to uphold the autocratic tradition of the Romanov dynasty even though he was forced to grant major political concessions in 1905. His imprudent foreign policy in East Asia precipitated a losing war with Japan. But a more cautious policy in Europe nevertheless involved Russia in a far greater conflict in 1914 that resulted in enormous casualties, economic hardship, and the collapse of the monarchy in 1917. As an individual, Nicholas was gentle and benevolent (except towards political dissidents) and proved to be a good husband and father. The serenity of his family life was disrupted by his son and heir's hemophilia, and the ensuing Rasputin scandal impaired the Tsar's image and contributed to his unpopularity. A final chapter examines his legacy and provides a theory of revolutionary causation.
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?Warth's study has a number of strengths. He is particularly good describing the psychological burdens that bedeviled Nicholas II as tsar, his distaste for official life (especially his ministers), his devotion to duty, his closed-mindedness regarding reform, his unwillingness to acknowlege past mistakes, his sense of fatalism and superstitiousness, and his underlying feelings of inadequacy as Alexander III's son and autocrat of all the Russias.?-The Russian Review
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ROBERT D. WARTH is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Kentucky.
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Format:Hardcover
Robert Warth is a professor of history and author of several books.With this text he has produced an excellent study of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. It has been well researched and, unlike most books of this type, it discusses in depth the earlier years of Nicholas's life, starting at his birth. This a welcome change as there are many, many texts dealing with the demise of the Romanov's and far fewer studying the formative years of Russia's last autocrat.
Warth looks predominently at the polical aspects of Nicholas's reign rather than the personal side, again a refreshing change. That isn't to say he ignores the Tsar's personality or personal life, just that they are not the main focus of this book. Certainly Warth doesn't pull any punches, discussing the Tsar's flaws, and the psychological demons that plagued him as well as his virtues and looks at the positive aspects of his rule as well as the fatal mistakes he made. In the final chapter Warth puts forward his theory of why the revolution happened. There is a comprehensive and up to date bibliography , an invaluable pointer for anyone wanting to study the subject further
This is an expensive book which will probably deter the casual reader but for the historian or any serious Romanov fan it is well worth the cost and is an invaluable addition to the bookshelf.
Warth looks predominently at the polical aspects of Nicholas's reign rather than the personal side, again a refreshing change. That isn't to say he ignores the Tsar's personality or personal life, just that they are not the main focus of this book. Certainly Warth doesn't pull any punches, discussing the Tsar's flaws, and the psychological demons that plagued him as well as his virtues and looks at the positive aspects of his rule as well as the fatal mistakes he made. In the final chapter Warth puts forward his theory of why the revolution happened. There is a comprehensive and up to date bibliography , an invaluable pointer for anyone wanting to study the subject further
This is an expensive book which will probably deter the casual reader but for the historian or any serious Romanov fan it is well worth the cost and is an invaluable addition to the bookshelf.
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Warth titles this work "The Life and Reign of Russia's Last Monarch." But it must truly be noted that not a great deal of substance is given to Nicholas II's early life, prior to ascending the throne. Chapter one devotes little time to exploring the early life of Nicholas II. The rest of the book seemed very comprehensive, especially regarding the subject of the Russo-Japanese war. The Stolypin era was also fitting of an entire chapter dedicated to it. Although, I would have liked to have more detail on Rasputin and the role that his association may have ultimately played with the tsar's downfall, it was overall a well written biography of Russia's last tsar. If anything a human side of Nicholas is shown, even if that human side is riddled with stubborness and general distrust in the majority of his advisors.
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An almost thorough account of Russia's last tsar.
May 19 2000
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Warth titles this work "The Life and Reign of Russia's Last Monarch." But it must truly be noted that not a great deal of substance is given to Nicholas II's early life, prior to ascending the throne. Chapter one devotes little time to exploring the early life of Nicholas II. The rest of the book seemed very comprehensive, especially regarding the subject of the Russo-Japanese war. The Stolypin era was also fitting of an entire chapter dedicated to it. Although, I would have liked to have more detail on Rasputin and the role that his association may have ultimately played with the tsar's downfall, it was overall a well written biography of Russia's last tsar. If anything a human side of Nicholas is shown, even if that human side is riddled with stubborness and general distrust in the majority of his advisors.
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