Chronicle of the Russian Tsars

by David Warnes

“Warnes has done a masterful job of bringing to life 1000 years of fascinating Russian history.”― School Library Journal The lives of tsars famous and infamous are covered in a lively series of biographical portraits stretching from the late fifteenth to the early twentieth centuries. Discover the facts behind the reputations of rulers such as Ivan the Terrible, whose reign of terror was unparalleled in Russian history until Stalin; Catherine the Great, the determined young German princess who usurped power; and the last tsar, Nicholas II, vainly endeavoring to cope in a period of devastating change. Here too are the less familiar but equally intriguing personalities who occupied Russia’s imperial the pious but feeble Feodor I and the Empress Anna, with her taste for cruel practical jokes.

With its comprehensive timelines, data files, and quotations, the book is at once an absorbing narrative history and an essential work of reference that brings to life a powerful empire and distinctive civilization. 100 color, 129 b&w illustrations

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

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first opened the book, I hoped to gain some enlightenment about the Russian t. I ended up more confused than anything else. True, the Russian tsars are confusing - their successions are simply mindboggling - but this book did nothing to straighten it out. The layout was nothing short of messy, with annoying columns of 'extra'-information splattered randomly on the pages. And though there are illustrations I thought there were more distracting than informative and usable. Also, the entire build-up of the book was strange; it was chapters within chapters within chapters. But one thing I did enjoy was the little introduction to each tsar (or tsarista), which was a short paragraph written by a contemporary source. That was a nice touch.

[Laura Ess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I'd previously read CHRONICLE OF THE ROMAN EMPERORS and CHRONICLE OF THE POPES, both of which are in the same format. I was surprised to discover the book in my local library.

As with those other two books, this work is organised in chronological order, complete with timelines, maps, family trees, images and photos, and sidebars about particular events, opinions or correspondence. I had often heard that Tsar was Russian foe CAESAR and not only was the title borrowed, but the powers that be in Russia considered it to be a successor to the Roman Empire. The accounts in this book support that idea, and it seams the notion of being a Caesar was taken to heart by most of the Tsars and Tsarinas listed in the chronicle.

Certainly both Joseph Stalin's and President Putin's actions and attitudes are put into perspective by this book. Rather than aberrations their behaviour matches an established pattern by previous Tsars/Tsarinas. Repression and secret police have existed in Russia since the first Tsar, under different names at different times, though the function is still the same.

The vast majority of rulers in the narrative of the book are shown to, one way or another to be enamoured of having absolute power, and/or murder or exile rival or , and/or are murdered/exiled themselves. While some die natural deaths, others are assassinated, or victims of their own folly (e.g. having their train driven at a dangerous speed) One recurring element is the appearance of pretenders who claim to be lost heirs to the throne, even ones that couldn't possibly be related (like certain Cossack leaders).

Also, while the names change at the top positions, in general the plight of the serfs (who became the "property" of the Lords) tens to remain the same. The power plays and changes in government are shown to be a matter between the royal families and the nobility, neither of which being serious at improving the serf's conditions. Different ways of organising parts of the empire come and go, but until the position of Tsar/Tsarina remained. Despite or because of this, Russia was overall a backward state, because the reforms that would have changed that would have meant the nobility losing their grip on the general population.

So I learned a lot about the Rulers of the Russian Empire, and East European history from this book. Finally I understand how the Kingdom of Poland was carved up Like the other two books, the information in this one is still just an overview, and start of further reading. Loved it.

[Caelum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-made chronicle following each of the Russian Tsars throughout history. I thoroughly enjoyed the formatting and extra tidbits of information on the sides. The information provided is historically accurate and the doctrines of the Church described do add up. Having family from Russia, it is quite a pleasant read, David Warnes certainly did his homework.

[Clara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. It didn't really intrigue me though. It was kind of boring. Nothing caught my attention.

[Стефан Петков · Rating 3 out of 5]

Отгоре-отгоре. Става само за бегло запознаване с царска Русия.

[MeriBeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chronicle of the Russian Tsars is an easily read overview off all the known Tsars of Imperial Russia from the time of the Muscovite Princes to the Last of the Romanovs. It gives a detailed, if brief, account of each Tsar's reign touching on the important points of internal and foreign policies, interpersonal relations, and personal thoughts. The book is easily read with just enough detail to be interesting without bogging anything down. It is richly illustrated and includes many sidebars and extracts adding detail to important sections of the text. It also includes small additions about the palaces and other places associated with the Tsars of Russia. Finally, it wraps up with a brief epilogue about the burial of the final Tsar and his family and how the Tsar fit into Russian history. Definitely a good starting point for a study of Imperial Russia. I highly recommend it for that fact alone as it gives you a place to start and an easy reference to the Tsars without roaming into the side histories of the Imperial Family.

[Susan Olesen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A brief overview of the history of the Russian Tsars from Rurik to Nicholas II. Nothing is particularly in depth, and it covers none of the gossipy scandals that made Catherine the Great, Ivan the Terrible, or even Rasputin such fascinating personas. Mostly, it is just about politics. It would make a very good college text. It's nice if you're looking to put the monarchy in perspective, learn the Tsars in order, or study how the politics grew into communism, but it's not a read-for-pleasure book. The saving grace is a ton of photos.

[Jimyanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite interesting and informative; this book gives a reign-by-reign summary of each Tsar from Ivan III in 1462 to Nicholas II in 1917, with a brief epilogue. The writing is readable, if not as much so as some of the best historical writers (such as David McCullough)but much better than many writers of history who seem to feel that it isn't professional to exhibit style. Definitely a worthwhile reference.

[Martin Witchard]

Interesting book on this subject although the author seems to plunge to detail once page then back to broad strokes the next. The history of the Tsars is long, complex and tumultuous and it gives a very small insight into psyche of the Russians themselves. The final page on Nicholas II does end somewhat abruptly (as did the Romanov line) so it might be worthwhile checking out other titles on this subject before plunging in to this book.

[Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jolly good chronology for study or quick reference. Pick it up, put it down, open it in the middle; there is no wrong way to read this book. loved it.

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the top 5 history books I have ever read. Excellent book, just enough on each Tsar to make you want to learn more. Highly recommended

[Tsvetanka Boeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written chronicle. Shows the most important political acts of each ruler as well as the personal affairs which influenced his/her motives and behavior.