Reviews for Nearing the end in imperial Russia

The average rating for Nearing the end in imperial Russia based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-10-09 00:00:00 Joseph Cullen “Michael and Natasha: The Life and Love of Michael ll, the Last of the Romanov Tsars” by Rosemary and Donald Crawford was not as I expected. It was purchased from the bargain bin at a supermarket in anticipation of a light popular account of the love affair between Michael Alexandrovich, younger brother of Tsar Nicholas II, and Nathalie Wulfert Brasova (née Sheremetevskaya). Instead I discovered a tour de force of research featuring broad use of primary and secondary sources in Russian, English and French. The Crawfords studied hundreds of letters contained in various Russian archives and used many additional memoirs, autobiographies and collections of documents. Their efforts produced an outstanding book delving into the intricacies of Imperial family politics, as well as the relationships between the Romanovs, their friends, followers, and a wide array of their European royal relatives. Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich's portrayal was overwhelmingly positive. He was seen as amiable, honest, down-to-earth, but incredibly naive about political and dynastic matters. He was a Russian patriot to the core and a loving, devoted and considerate father and husband. Michael Alexandrovich was one of those rare men who seem to be liked by nearly everyone. His greatest shortcoming was in being too loyal a subject of his feckless brother. Natasha possessed a certain magic. Every man who entered her orbit fell in love. Michael was no exception. The schism within the Romanov family over Natasha was not simply the result of her common birth, but she was twice divorced! This scandalized the Imperial family and all of European high society. Although married to a Grand Duke of Russia, Natasha was not received socially throughout the Continent. But Michael loved her and she him. She had beauty, charm, intelligence, exquisite taste and unrelenting tenacity. They made an odd, but congenial pair. The Crawfords contrasted Michael and Natasha with Nicholas and Alexandra. The tsar and tsarina did not come off well. Nicholas was a milquetoast dominated by his petty and insufferably self-righteous wife, Alexandra. He had an uncanny capacity to dither on almost any issue and then make the wrong decision – often under her influence. She was virtually unhinged by her son's hemophilia, for which she blamed herself, and retreated into religious fanaticism and reactionary politics. Alexandra waged a prolonged campaign against the “immoral” Natasha and, indirectly, against Michael too. She was behind Nicholas' banishment of Michael following his marriage and the placement of his Russian financial assets in trust under the same conditions as those of a certified lunatic. The Imperial family's internal relationships were fraught with pettiness and social jockeying. Most of the Romanovs agreed on only one subject – dislike for Alexandra and her baleful influence over Nicholas. The character of neither Nicholas nor Alexandra stood admirably in comparison to the steadiness and good judgment of Michael or Natasha's vivacity and charisma. An interesting page in the story concerned Natasha's efforts on Michael's behalf after his exile to Perm. Twice Natasha barged into Lenin's office, unannounced and pushing past his guards, to plead for Michael. She went to Trotsky in Petrograd too and recorded he was “ill-tempered and answered rudely.” These attempts were made during the period of the Red Terror, when being a titled individual was in itself dangerous. Although ultimately unsuccessful, she was unafraid and undeterred. The dust jacket claims “Michael and Natasha: The Life and Love of Michael ll, the Last of the Romanov Tsars” is “an outstanding romance, a compelling historical drama, and, in the end, a terrible tragedy.' I could not agree more. The Crawfords earned Four Stars from me.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-02-21 00:00:00 Michael Chu A compelling read on a member of the Romanov family seldom focused upon. Michael and Natasha is an entertaining book that examines the trials and tribulations of the third son of Emperor Alexander III. Charismatic and intelligent, Michael (unlike Nicholas)held his own among his imperious and overbearing uncles. Although gifted with more charm and leadership abilities than his brother Nicholas II, both men possessed the same degree of stubbornness in their characters. Michael led an interesting and charmed life. In any biography of Romanov family members, it is painful to approach the year 1917. The Russian Revolution would lead to the near extinction of the Russian aristocracy and the death of thousands of innocent civilians. The author definitely casts Nicholas II and his Empress in an unflattering light. One would like to think after reading this book that European history might have taken an entirely different turn in the 20th century if Michael had ascended the Russian throne from the beginning instead of his brother Nicholas. This enjoyable book provides much food for thought and I highly recommend it.