Presents a detailed history of the last Romanov czar, Nicholas II, whose execution ushered in the Communist era in Russia. Examines his early years growing up in the imperial court, and provides background on the Romanov dynasty as a whole. Includes appendices of documents and first-hand reports, a
Hélène Carrère d'Encausse (born Hélène Zourabichvili) was the permanent secretary of the Académie Française and a historian specializing in Russian history. She was a graduate of the elite Paris Institute of Political Studies (better known as Sciences Po).
In 1991, Goudji created the academician's sword for her.
Her son, Emmanuel Carrère (born 1957), is an author, screenwriter and director.