As historical figures go, Peter I is one that deserves never to be forgotten. When you consider all that he accomplished, you think "man, it was handy to be seven feet tall in the early 18th century!" - how could anyone refuse the bidding of a giant? Peter's hunger for knowledge was as big as he was, and he used what he learned to pull Russia out of its deep savok (well, somewhat). Let's just say he took what was good about Europe (shipbuilding, law, military organization, monetary policy, architecture) and shoved it down the throats of his countrymen, to their betterment.

Massie, who wrote a fine narrative of Nicholas II, is perfectly suited to covering this material and you don't want to stop reading it.