Catherine The Great: Last Empress Of Russia

by Michael W. Simmons

Born an obscure German princess who suffered under the control of a domineering, narcissistic mother, the fourteen-year-old Princess Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst seemed to be destined for a minor marriage and a forgettable career. Destiny had other plans for her: summoned to Russia, then considered by most Europeans to be a vast, primitive wasteland, devoid of culture or sophistication, she became the Grand Duchess Ekaterina, wife of the future emperor Peter III. What followed her short, unhappy marriage was a legendary rise to supreme power. At the age of 33, the Grand Duchess Catherine became the Empress Catherine II, ruler in her own right of the largest empire on earth. In this book, you will learn how, during Catherine's lonely years as a neglected wife in the court of the Empress Elisabeth, she bided her time and amassed the necessary political and military support to overthrow the heir to the Romanov dynasty and seize his throne. You will also learn why, over the course of her 34-year reign, which saw rebellions, foreign wars, popular uprisings, and a string of jealous lovers vying for her favor, she came to be remembered by history under the name conferred upon her by her own people: Catherine the Great.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

158 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2016

Reviews

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The woman the world came to know as "Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia" came into the world the daughter of a domineering, obstinate and narcissistic mother. She was born a German princess named Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst. Her life took a turn when she was summoned to Russia, where she became the wife of future emperor Peter III, and was known as Grand Duchess Ekaterina. Catherine spent many years as a very neglected and unhappy wife, but she did not sit back and do nothing. She studied and she learned, and she was patient. The book explains in great historic detail how this German princess came to be Catherine the Great (a name given to her by the people under her rule). The book is well researched, and well written.

[Emily Minch · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a great lover of Catherine I was really looking forward to reading this. But as I started and read more I couldn't finish it. There are way too many spelling errors, like which edited this book?! That they didnt catch the most basic spelling errors. The family lines are so wrong. Peter the 2 was Empress Elizabeth's half nephew not brother. Empress Anna was her cousin not sisters. I couldn't finish it with such basic errors.

[Sherrilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sign of things to come

This was a rather shallow review of the Empress Catherine. It reads more like a long chapter in a high school history book. That being the case, still, it was a privilege to read about the last Empress of Russia and her contribution to future monarchies to come.

[Dawn Colclasure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed reading this book. I did not know that much about Catherine the Great. She seemed to be a strong, capable and intelligent woman. She must have been a good role model to young Russian girls during her reign. I was impressed by her fearlessness, how she held her head high in the face of trouble, and fought back against misogyny in an intelligent and witty manner. I know nothing about Peter the Great and this book did not portray him in a favorable light, so I am withholding any opinions about him. But this book was a good introduction to Catherine’s life and legacy.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't even get this book - my sister did, but out of curiosity I read it because I knew next to nothing about her. It seems like a really great overview of a notable historical figure and was a lightning fast read for me. The book was definitely a good appetizer that will make me explore other books about Catherine.

I give it 3 stars just because it felt like a synopsis kind of biography rather than an illuminating and deeply insightful one. It also didn't create so much of a sense of character around Catherine but more provided historical narrative around her life.

[Fran Bolte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very brief history but well worth my time as I did not want a long drawn out study of every detail of her life. It gave me the important details with the corroborating quotes/documents to back up what was being said. I did enjoy reading this book.

[Harry George · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative book but limited in scope

This is an easy book to read without the usual endless and sometimes tedious dates and names one runs into a typical history book. It is a short book and it focuses on her personal life rather than on the political history of her reign.

[Alana Alissa Yoshiko Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent Overview

I was expecting more content on her life but felt like an overview moment could read while on a flight cross country.

[Gail Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written account of the Last Empress of Russia.

Enjoyed the biography of Catherine the Great. An inspiration to all women, that anything is possible. Reach for the stars

[Roberta Wall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very well written

[Ghosts and you might die · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if brief biography. I would have enjoyed seeing Catherine fleshed out a bit more as we do have access to quite a bit of her writings.

[Lily Kosner · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cliff notes Wikipedia of Russian history but a good ride.

[Donald J. Tusel, MD · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather simplistic

[christy whiddon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short and some errors

This is more like an overview than a real biography,with most of the focus on Catherine’s private life and little on herrole running the state.

[Wendy Nesin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read!

It is not unexpected that women through out the ages have been underestimated just as Catherine the Great was. A woman who was a successful ruler for her time.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done

Very nice read on Catherine the great. Nice succinct history of the longest ruling Russian empress. An admirable woman and ruler.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview of Catherine's life. If you want more than a glossing over, read Massie. This book is an easy read for someone with a general interest.

[Isha :3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

did this for a school project 😔😔

[Mariska]

Very Enjoyable

Although sometimes a bit simplistic in it's tone, I none the less truly enjoyed learning more about the true history of this great lady.

Instead of capitalizing on the sensational things that have over the years been either revealed about her or simply attached to her in order to discredit her memory, this book shows us her true history, and why she deserved to be labeled "The Great" in her own lifetime.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, moderately well-written, but very short without a lot of detail.