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Ivan the Terrible: A Life from Beginning to End
Ivan the Terrible * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. Just what was so terrible about Ivan the Terrible? Most of us are familiar with this infamous nickname, but most fall short of being able to describe how he received such an ominous moniker. Maybe you’ve heard the stories of how Ivan killed his own son, poisoned his wives, and waged war on his neighbors, but these anecdotes are just minor details in the scheme of this man’s complicated life. Inside you will read about... ✓ Ivan, the Neglected Orphan ✓ Ivan’s Liberation of Slaves ✓ War in the Baltic ✓ Intrigue and Diplomacy ✓ Ivan’s Final Redemption ✓ Ivan’s Last Days And much more! Ivan IV, otherwise known as Ivan the Terrible, was born with a heavy burden on his shoulders. He was thrust into the seat of what the Russians considered the Third Rome, granting him all the rights and privileges of the official steward of Orthodox Christian civilization in the east. In order to hold on to that right, he did indeed do some pretty terrible things.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2017
197 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 19, 2019
Full of great info!
Ivan the Terrible by Hourly History tackles the subject of Ivan. I didn't know too much about him except the was well, terrible! I did learn plenty!
Ivan the Terrible by Hourly History tackles the subject of Ivan. I didn't know too much about him except the was well, terrible! I did learn plenty!
October 20, 2017
This book is very handy to know about Ivan IV also known as Ivan the Terrible. Ivan's grand father managed to free Russia from the Mongol horde. When Ivan was 3 years old he became the Grand Prince of Moscow.
Though he became the King at very young age, the country was ruled his regents. He was made to starve by them. After attaining the rightful age Ivan punished those who tortured him.
Much information is provided how Ivan came to known as Ivan the Terrible.
A good book recommended for history buffs.
Though he became the King at very young age, the country was ruled his regents. He was made to starve by them. After attaining the rightful age Ivan punished those who tortured him.
Much information is provided how Ivan came to known as Ivan the Terrible.
A good book recommended for history buffs.
September 11, 2022
Good read
Seems like he was a half decent dude until his wife died. After that people dropped like flies around him.
Seems like he was a half decent dude until his wife died. After that people dropped like flies around him.
October 27, 2017
History has often been both capricious and arbitrary in the placement of monikers on figures of the past. Ivan the Terrible is, in my opinion, a prime example of the placement of a sobriquet without consideration to his life, circumstances, and time, giving him a reputation that far outweighs his deeds when compared to other figures of the past. Ivan IV Vasilyevich was born on August 25, 1530, making him a contemporary of another well-known figure without a nickname, King Henry VIII of England. He became the Grand Prince of Moscow at the age of three, after the untimely death of his father. Russia was surrounded by enemies and Ivan was surrounded with danger from the Russian aristocracy. Thousands of Russians were systematically captured and sold into slavery by the Turks and the Orthodox Church was being constantly threatened by Islamic armies to the south. This is far from an ideal situation for a ruler so young. To combat the domestic threat, Ivan established the Oprichnina (secret police) that dealt severely with traitors (perceived or real) and dissidents. Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolph Hitler copied this and were not labeled with a pejorative moniker. Although he did cause much death and suffering among his own people, the numbers were nothing compared to those of Joseph Stalin in the Twentieth Century. With seven wives, he beats Henry by one, but nothing to deserve the name history has saddled him with.
This is a short but very informative biography that is sure to pique the interest of many readers to explore more about his life and times.
This is a short but very informative biography that is sure to pique the interest of many readers to explore more about his life and times.
October 31, 2017
This free book provided a concise overview of this infamous Russian tsar. Although Ivan did many bad things, he doesn't really seem that terrible.
August 7, 2018
Vision. Madness. Greatness.
Vision, madness and greatness often go hand in hand. Ivan, Terrible to some, liberator and reformer to others. The dichotomy of his life can't simply be summed up in one sentence. Therefore, I commend the author of this short bio for effectively separating fact from fiction, dispelling every myth about this infamous ruler, and setting the record straight.
Ivan was a man of vision. A vision that consumed him and led to an insatiable ambition. Throw in personal tragedies and you got an uncontrollable beast who at the slightest offense will unleash his fury.
As a man who also took his duties seriously, he was also willing to bargain with old foes to get what he wanted. Whereas he was the enemy of the elite, he became a hero to his lower subjects, a sort of folk hero who would do what was necessary to protect him from slave traders and other foreign threats.
I highly recommend this biography for those of you who are new to this subject.
Vision, madness and greatness often go hand in hand. Ivan, Terrible to some, liberator and reformer to others. The dichotomy of his life can't simply be summed up in one sentence. Therefore, I commend the author of this short bio for effectively separating fact from fiction, dispelling every myth about this infamous ruler, and setting the record straight.
Ivan was a man of vision. A vision that consumed him and led to an insatiable ambition. Throw in personal tragedies and you got an uncontrollable beast who at the slightest offense will unleash his fury.
As a man who also took his duties seriously, he was also willing to bargain with old foes to get what he wanted. Whereas he was the enemy of the elite, he became a hero to his lower subjects, a sort of folk hero who would do what was necessary to protect him from slave traders and other foreign threats.
I highly recommend this biography for those of you who are new to this subject.
December 9, 2020
Ivan the Terrible is a fairly well-known name but this book explains how he actually ended up with that name. In fact he started out as a fairly decent rule, even with the difficulties he went through including the death of both his parents by the time he was only eight years old.
The book goes into the various good things he did for Russia in the first part of his life. The second part of his life saw numerous marriages, mysterious deaths of wives, the founding of an order of secret police (much like the Gestapo) and unneeded wars.
It goes into the reason for this change in his personality which in a way is not dissimilar to the changes Henry VIII went through after his jousting injury.
Rather interesting.
The book goes into the various good things he did for Russia in the first part of his life. The second part of his life saw numerous marriages, mysterious deaths of wives, the founding of an order of secret police (much like the Gestapo) and unneeded wars.
It goes into the reason for this change in his personality which in a way is not dissimilar to the changes Henry VIII went through after his jousting injury.
Rather interesting.
April 12, 2019
I learned quite a bit from reading this short biography. Before I read it I had no idea who Ivan the Terrible was. I took a guess that he was a Mongolian barbarian. It turns out he was a Russian Tzar but his life was in many ways like a barbarian. At times while I read I felt pity for him (he was orphaned, raised by cold strangers, lost his dear wife he loved) and at other times while I read I felt disgusted and horrified (he bashed in his own son's skull, for instance.) He went through many wives and they often died very quickly and the implication was he lived in the midst of other subjects who were his enemies with much treachery. Quite the read.
September 19, 2022
A consise insight into another side of Ivan, offering an obvious attempt to liberate the renowned title of "Terrible", and delivering us with an overview of his positive deeds albeit, some questionable ones. One refreshing aspect of this book is the care it takes to illuminate the mental hardships Ivan faced, although his redeeming qualities leave little to be desired for we fail to learn the inner workings of his mind. It comes across merely speculative rather than evidence based, but again, its a refreshing take on the "Terrible" motif he earned. Give this read!
March 2, 2019
Excellent review of Ivan the Terrible and his place and times in Russian history.
Interesting that human trafficking and sex trafficking were practiced in Russia along the Volga river by Ivan the Terrible in the 1500 s. Now centuries later we are still attempting to expose and abolish these crimes still thriving worldwide. It seems that Ivan the Terrible was not the last Sociopath!
Interesting that human trafficking and sex trafficking were practiced in Russia along the Volga river by Ivan the Terrible in the 1500 s. Now centuries later we are still attempting to expose and abolish these crimes still thriving worldwide. It seems that Ivan the Terrible was not the last Sociopath!
April 20, 2022
Ivan the Terrible: a life from beginning to end (biographies of Russian royalty)
An interesting overview of a notorious character from history. This story is not something that I was overly familiar with previously, although the name of Ivan the Terrible is notorious. However, I would have liked a little bit more information as to why he was known as Ivan the Terrible, and in particular, why he was given that alias.
An interesting overview of a notorious character from history. This story is not something that I was overly familiar with previously, although the name of Ivan the Terrible is notorious. However, I would have liked a little bit more information as to why he was known as Ivan the Terrible, and in particular, why he was given that alias.
May 12, 2018
Simply and concisely written. However...
Simply and concisely written,but the lector still can get the big picture. It is informative touching the main events but it lacks of engaging narrative. I recommend this book just as a well condensed summary of that period of the European history. I think that the author should have elaborated more about the historical context.
Simply and concisely written,but the lector still can get the big picture. It is informative touching the main events but it lacks of engaging narrative. I recommend this book just as a well condensed summary of that period of the European history. I think that the author should have elaborated more about the historical context.
April 24, 2019
Ivan...maybe not so terrible?
Or, rather, given Russian leaders in general, I can't say that he was far worse than most. The text does keep the chrono narrative going, but details drop along the way (perhaps sloppy editing), particularly in dropping the dates when certain key events occurred
Or, rather, given Russian leaders in general, I can't say that he was far worse than most. The text does keep the chrono narrative going, but details drop along the way (perhaps sloppy editing), particularly in dropping the dates when certain key events occurred
October 2, 2021
Ivan the Troubled Tyrant
An incredible accurate rundown of the life of Tsar Ivan IV. Gets right to the point in listing and describing the major events of Ivan IV life. Many events that led to his Terrible moniker and the major historic events that bettered the lives of his kingdom's subjects. This read is a great start for further insight to a troubled tyrant.
An incredible accurate rundown of the life of Tsar Ivan IV. Gets right to the point in listing and describing the major events of Ivan IV life. Many events that led to his Terrible moniker and the major historic events that bettered the lives of his kingdom's subjects. This read is a great start for further insight to a troubled tyrant.
May 1, 2019
As Jessica Rabbit said she not a bad character just drawn that way.
As a husband he saw the dismiss of six wives and as a father responsible for the deaths a of two sons and a grandson. I think he got off easily with the nick name Terrible.
As a husband he saw the dismiss of six wives and as a father responsible for the deaths a of two sons and a grandson. I think he got off easily with the nick name Terrible.
June 20, 2021
Interesting read
This short missive on Ivan, helps give an overview of a personality that is a confused mosaic. It leaves one wanting to read more in depth history of the times, plus the times just prior and after the life of Ivan.
This short missive on Ivan, helps give an overview of a personality that is a confused mosaic. It leaves one wanting to read more in depth history of the times, plus the times just prior and after the life of Ivan.
July 11, 2021
The originator of the current Russian Government.
Once again a short and vibrant portrait of a historical figure. Full of important points without any fluff. Easy to read and understand.
Once again a short and vibrant portrait of a historical figure. Full of important points without any fluff. Easy to read and understand.
December 12, 2021
Short history of Ivan IV
A timeline of Iran's life and rule. I was surprised by how lacking in excitement this description of the man and his time was. There is a lot of drama that could have made this history more vivid if it had been better written.
A timeline of Iran's life and rule. I was surprised by how lacking in excitement this description of the man and his time was. There is a lot of drama that could have made this history more vivid if it had been better written.
February 22, 2018
It is a brief, yet detailed enough, and fairly balanced hi-story for the reign of Ivan IV.
The book's easy to flip through the pages even for beginners to the complicated Russian history, the struggling and thriving geopolitical and cultural bridge in-between the East and the West.
The book's easy to flip through the pages even for beginners to the complicated Russian history, the struggling and thriving geopolitical and cultural bridge in-between the East and the West.
October 11, 2018
Thoroughly informative despite the typos
February 28, 2020
Not worth my time
March 18, 2021
Good informative quick read
March 4, 2022
▪️Ivan el Terrible se veía terriblemente feo en todos los cuadros que he visto de él
▪️Tuvo una niñez muy difícil, pasó hambre
▪️Acusado de matar a su hijo y de envenenar a sus esposas
▪️Tuvo grandes logros políticos, pero cometió atrocidades
▪️Tuvo una niñez muy difícil, pasó hambre
▪️Acusado de matar a su hijo y de envenenar a sus esposas
▪️Tuvo grandes logros políticos, pero cometió atrocidades
April 19, 2023
I gave Ivan the Terrible: A Life From Beginning to End, three stars, although 2.5 might be closer to the mark.
It was a quick read and covered the life of Ivan with extremely broad strokes. The book touched on some of the more important highlights of his reign, which is greatly appreciated
I would probably read it again, while waiting at a bus stop, if it was all that was available, aside from watching traffic go by
One of the simple ironies, I believe his grandfather was known as Ivan the Great
It was a quick read and covered the life of Ivan with extremely broad strokes. The book touched on some of the more important highlights of his reign, which is greatly appreciated
I would probably read it again, while waiting at a bus stop, if it was all that was available, aside from watching traffic go by
One of the simple ironies, I believe his grandfather was known as Ivan the Great
Read
April 24, 2021Ivan was a very brave man,if any one can read Ivan the terrible,that person will become brave,as how he acted very wisely in warring to win!
June 30, 2023
As usual this is NOT a true history.... It is more like an op/ed.
Very opinionated as most of these hourly history books are, especially in the final chapter of Conclusion
Very opinionated as most of these hourly history books are, especially in the final chapter of Conclusion
October 2, 2018
I think "Terrible" is a mistranslation. As far as I remember "Grozny" can mean "harsh" or "severe" instead. An above average introduction about someone who every one has heard of but no-one knows much about.
October 5, 2018
IVAN THE TERRIBLE
por Hourly History
Libritos cortos e interesantes que muestran biografías de personajes famosos de la historia mundial. La mayoría de la gente hemos oído hablar casi de paso de Iván el terrible, el primer Zar de Rusia que dió inició a la consolidación del moderno estado Ruso que acabarían heredando los comunistas. Sí tuvieron la suerte de ver las dos películas dirigidas por Sergei Eisenstein sobre el personaje podrán darse cuenta que la vida de Iván es un drama hecho y derecho, con momentos luminosos y oscuros profundos. Su vida de niño fue marcada por la soledad y el abandono; la pérdida de su primer amor será catastrófica para su corazón; una visión profética que se convertirá en realidad de la forma más espantosa le arrebatará a su primer bebé y las acciones traicioneras de su propia corte lo convertirán en un lobo despiadado cuando entienda que el juego del poder es de tomar o morir. Creador de una de las primeras policías secretas que sembraban en terror, la Oprachnina, Iván irá transformándose en un ser temido y odiado, en un traidor y en un héroe, en un cobarde y en diplomático hábil. La verdad, está para serie de Netflix o para hacer un teledrama mexicano adaptado a nuestra realidad política. Después me leeré una biografía más completa, pero está está muy bien como introducción.
por Hourly History
Libritos cortos e interesantes que muestran biografías de personajes famosos de la historia mundial. La mayoría de la gente hemos oído hablar casi de paso de Iván el terrible, el primer Zar de Rusia que dió inició a la consolidación del moderno estado Ruso que acabarían heredando los comunistas. Sí tuvieron la suerte de ver las dos películas dirigidas por Sergei Eisenstein sobre el personaje podrán darse cuenta que la vida de Iván es un drama hecho y derecho, con momentos luminosos y oscuros profundos. Su vida de niño fue marcada por la soledad y el abandono; la pérdida de su primer amor será catastrófica para su corazón; una visión profética que se convertirá en realidad de la forma más espantosa le arrebatará a su primer bebé y las acciones traicioneras de su propia corte lo convertirán en un lobo despiadado cuando entienda que el juego del poder es de tomar o morir. Creador de una de las primeras policías secretas que sembraban en terror, la Oprachnina, Iván irá transformándose en un ser temido y odiado, en un traidor y en un héroe, en un cobarde y en diplomático hábil. La verdad, está para serie de Netflix o para hacer un teledrama mexicano adaptado a nuestra realidad política. Después me leeré una biografía más completa, pero está está muy bien como introducción.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews