The Tragic Dynasty

by John D. Bergamini

From the ascension of the first Romanov in 1613 to the slaughter of the last in 1917, they left a record of grandeur, horror, force and intrigue. Bergamini provides a splendid account of their bloody and autocratic legacy.

Genres: History, Romanovs, Nonfiction, Russia, Biography, Russian History

512 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a Pulitzer winning biography of Peter the Great and a number of books on the last Tsar and his family, this book really put the entire Romanov dynasty into context for me. It did a good job outlining what Russia was like in pre- and early Romanov days, especially since there were many comparisons to the Tudor dynasty. Be aware that this book was written in 1969 and contains some outdated material, like St. Petersburg being referred to Leningrad. There are many references to the Soviet government and communist control and I found a few other inconsistencies with more current histories. If you are looking for the tragic details of the murders of the last imperial family, you’re not going to find them here. This book omits any specifics about the executions and its publication precedes the discovery of their remains (I would recommend reading Robert Massie).

Overall, I found this book accessible. Despite the occasional tedium of war depictions and politics, there was enough salaciousness to keep me engaged. I would suggest to a reader to print a copy of the royal family tree, which is helpful in keeping names and relations straight, and perhaps a few maps of Russia to have on hand for reference (I couldn’t figure out for the life of me why a map of modern Moscow preceded a chapter about St. Petersburg). From the first Tsar Michael I in 1613, to Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Nicholas II, and everyone in between, this was a very comprehensive portrayal of the 300 year dynasty.

[David Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

This work, published originally in 1969, is very much a popular history of its time--a time now almost as close to the fall of the dynasty it chronicles as it is to the present. It is a decent, relatively superficial tour of its landscape. It makes no pretense of originality.


It's difficult to read a book about a dynasty, and not see arguments against monarchy, and particularly legitimist monarchy. The more effective rulers produced early in the dynasty often found power through a crooked path. The succession reforms of 1797 made clear who the next ruler was to be, which cut down on the chaos of transition (except in 1825), but also made for a sequence of rulers ill-suited to the changing circumstances that confronted them. Advances in life expectancy changed the drama from one of trying to find a surviving heir to having too many to choose from.

[M. Bökel · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far, this book has failed to captivate me completely but the historical facts keep having me coming back for more. The real issue with the book is that it is covering the entire Romanov Dynasty from the first Tsarista to the end of the line when the last Romanov's were killed. The problem with the book is that the author frequently mentions people once, explains little about their role in history up to that point, and then, out of nowhere, they're back and I am supposed to remember who the hell they were. Really, the book does give an accurate account of Russian history from the sixteenth century on, but, tends to confuse the reader who forgot who Ordyn-Nashchokin was or what role the Zapogorigian Cossacks played in the conquest of Kiev. I may finish this book.

[Katheryne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book shows the 300+ years of the Romanovs' rule in its glory (or lack of, depending on who was Tsar/Tsarina), as well as its downfall.

Also included:
a) the revolution that led to the abdication of Nicholas II.
b) who got out of Russia--and who didn't.
c) the effect of hemophilia on the Imperial Family.

There is also a very limited measure of what happened to the exiles.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

my link text tencks for ad mee

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful short history of the Romanov dynasty from the election of Michael Romanov by the Zemsky Sobor in 1613 to Nicholas II, the last Tsar, murdered with his family by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of the Romanov Dynasty. Very interesting - a lot of detail presented in a readable story.