Fearful Majesty: The Life and Reign of Ivan the Terrible

by Benson Bobrick

Ivan the Terrible – the name evokes the legend of a cruel and dangerously insane tyrant. Fearful Majesty explores that legend and exposes the man, his nature, and his time.

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Ivan IV oversaw huge conquests of neighboring lands, the creation of a national church, and Russia’s emergence as a world power.

Arrogant, handsome, a gifted orator and theologian, Ivan was well educated but cruel, profoundly egotistical yet cowardly, scarred by childhood terrors. He was also the Russian ruler whose policies first cast Russia in the role of “Evil Empire” to the West.

Throughout his reign, Ivan’s unbalanced genius erupted in a tyranny so violent that it threatened to destroy his bloodline, his court, his church, his country.

“A portrait of Ivan the Terrible as a figure of high tragedy rather than a madman or a villain. [A] lively... biography of one of the most paradoxical and terrifying figures in Russian history.” – The New York Times

"The most objective and comprehensive analysis of Ivan which has ever appeared in English... A fresh interpretation..." – History Book Club News

"It is seldom that the tsar's life and times have been delineated with as much style, felicity, skill, and sheer readability. Bobrick's biography is far superior to anything in this genre that had appeared for a long time." –  Canadian-American Slavic Studies

Updated Second Edition, with maps and illustrations.

Genres: History, Biography, Russia, Nonfiction, Russian History, Biography Memoir, World History

500 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 1987

About the author

Benson Bobrick earned his doctorate from Columbia University and is the author of several critically acclaimed works. In 2002, he received the Literature Award of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. He and his wife, Hilary, live in Vermont.

Reviews

[Roger Burk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Russian word translated as "Terrible" really means "Fearsome," but terrible doesn't fit too badly. Ivan had some accomplishments, including revising the Russian law code, conquering Kazan and Astrakhan, and supporting the expansion into Siberia (mostly carried out by individual bands of adventurers, like the conquest of the American west 300 years later). He encouraged trade with England around the North Cape (he proposed marriage to Elizabeth, and got her to promise him a refuge in case he needed to flee (he offered her a refuge too, but she said she didn't need it)). He had some intellectual abilities, to go with his superstition, cruelty, and paranoia. But he pursued and lost wars with Poland, Lithuania, and Sweden, losing access to the Baltic that wasn't restored until Peter the Great. And in his later more deranged years he initiated a reign of terror that rivaled that of Stalin--whole families of loyal supporters were put to death on the thinnest suspicion of disloyalty. The famous and ancient city of Novgorod was sacked and its inhabitants massacred. He enjoyed visiting the dungeon to watch the prisoners being tortured, afterwards attending a church service. In a fit of rage he murdered his oldest son and only competent heir. In accordance with his instructions he was posthumously tonsured and buried as a monk.

Twice Ivan complained that his people were not supporting him and abdicated. Instead of rushing to make sure the door was locked behind him, the nobles sent delegations to plead with him to return because no-one else could be autocrat. In this time of Shakespeare, there was one printing press in Russia, and it was carefully controlled. Truly this Russia was a backward and haunted place, for all its wealth and strength.

The book is very readable, and also well-sourced.

[GoldGato · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Russian ruler always freaked me out, probably because of the Eisenstein epic movie. He didn't receive the moniker of 'Terrible' by being a nice next-door neighbour, but I think the author does an excellent job of expanding the overall personality of Ivan. After all, the Russian Empire really started with him, as he started consolidating all the different geographic pieces. He was a true Renaissance prince and ranks up there with Louix XI and Henry VII.

The Russian character comes through strongly also, which is refreshing. Overall, the tome is well-written and a good read when a terrible gale is a-blowin'.


Book Season = Winter

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I confess that I am a bit biased against this book. What was off-putting was an excessive amount of quotations from Elizabethan sources, including segments of Ivan's life where he was not interacting with English observers (e.g. his death). The sense I get is of an author who has limited specialization in English historical sources (it looks like a lot of the Elizabethan quotes come from an edited volume published in the 19th century), and wrote a book about the famous Russian tyrant relying on those and other translated sources. What results is a mostly confusing "just-the-facts" parade of schemers and religious nut jobs inflicting misery on Ivan, each other, and especially the people of Russia and Central Asia. I think I'd rather read a biography by a specialist who could examine primary sources in Russian.

[John E Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read on Ivan the Terrible. Unlike many writers about Ivan, Bobrick thinks he did a lot more harm than good. He relies a great deal on the letters and writings of English traders and functionaries from the Elizabethan era, not so much because relations between England and Russia were central to Ivan's rule, but because, like the drunk looking for his keys under a street lamp, that is where the light is. Records from Ivan's Russia are scarce. What Bobrrick could have done more of is explain why the grip Ivan had on Russia was so strong and why, although people were able poison several of his wives, no known attempt was made to remove him. A grim and terrifying biography of a grim and terrible man.

[Logan Streondj · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent in depth look at the life and times of Ivan the Terrible. Raised in high density urban setting he was a wretch that reduced the population by about 83%, like many other despots in other times brought up in similar circumstances.
The inbreeding of the royal family certainly was a contributing factor. But being terrorized for most of his childhood was probably the main factor.

My main purpose in reading it was to find out about Kazan origin of my great grandfather, indeed it was conquered and settled by Ivan IV and his relatives and acquaintances, and for a long time was used as a place of exile for many nobles and such.

[Stacy Milacek · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked this book up, I thought it was a historic novel. It's not. It's an actual history book. But it's a very well written history book and it's very interesting. I knew very little about Ivan, except that he was orphaned at a young age, he broke the nobility, and he accidentally killed his son. He did so much more than all that. And the author doesn't write him as just a monster, but actually looks at his entire character. This is a great book for anyone who wants to know more about Ivan the Terrible.

[Eloise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was really interesting, although dense and slightly too detailed at times. Sections Empire and Schism were not interesting to me, but thats mostly because I dont find military history particularly enjoying. I did get a lot out of this book - more than I was expecting.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of book of history that I really enjoy. It is thorough, readable, and clear about this period of time in Russia. It fills out a picture of the 1500's that is so neglected.

[Hazel Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Mads Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Russians- from their inception- have been assholes.

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biografia scorrevole di una non così scorrevole vita. Una buona introduzione alla storia rinascimentale russa anche grazie ai capitoli più generali, che permettono di inquadrare lo scenario e gli avvenimenti politici, e a maggior ragione per la sua natura improntata in maniera molto più netta verso le guerre e le questioni dinastiche affrontate dal regno di Ivan IV rispetto ai carteggi o alle diatribe personali.

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A readable popular biography of Russia's great and terrible ruler. Bobrick does an excellent job of placing Ivan IV in his geopolitical context, especially his relationship with the English and his involvement in Livonia. Bobrick also manages to balance Ivan the leader and Ivan the tyrant in a way that makes both understandable.

[scooby · Rating 3 out of 5]

although i had to take a break about half way through, i recently finished the book and overall i was impressed with all the historical detail the author has taken in compiling this biography. there is a lot to absorb, but i didn't want to skim over any part of it. three and a half stars at least.

[Emmett Hoops · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very, very, very comprehensive look at the life of a man known as Ivan the Terrible.

The author leaves no fact unmentioned. At times, it seems the editor must have fallen asleep, because not all the very many details move the story forward.

[Guera25 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's enthusiasm for his subject shines through. I just wish there had been more of it, a closer examination of his military campaigns and his tumultuous relationship with his court. Perhaps there simply isn't any more information to be had.

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling biography of the 16th century monarch Ivan the Terrible.