Great Catherine: The Life of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia by Carolly Erickson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Great Catherine: The Life of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia
Book Review: Great Catherine, Empress of Russia
Summary: 3 Stars
This book was part of my required reading for a European History class. I found the story interesting and informative, but it focused mainly on her personal life, and not her politics, which does not help in furthering my knowlegde of Russian history. I know more than i need to, though, about the private lives and habits of the courtiers in her day, and her constant need to have a lover. The story of Catherine's life in court, her rise to power, and her time as empress do seem drawn out into a soap opera like tale, which doesn't help teach me of Russia's po.litical history. The book was intriguing, but should not be used as an educational tool.Book Review: great catherine
Summary: 4 Stars
History buffs will love this book. The author goes into such detail that I could imagine everything about the characters. It was like reading a scandalous story about a scandalous woman but it happened to be a true story about one of the greatest leaders of our time.Book Review: Good, but not perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
I became interseted in Russian history in class and especially in Catherine because she is such an amazing figure. I thought the book was written splendidly, and I admired the work, however, it's focus was purely on her life before becoming empress, which is good, but there is very little about her life after becoming empress. This book seemed to be clearly written by a woman and I don't think that it talked enough about her faults. I do like how it is a very interesting to read, shares lots of small stories, and it doesn't dwell on her sex life like many other books do. Overall I think it is an excellent book, telling an excellent story excellently.Book Review: Carolly Erickson brings Catherine the Great to life.
Summary: 5 Stars
Having read all of Carolly's books, when "Great Catherine" was released, I again was transported to another place and time by the writing of Ms. Erickson. The author has a gift for making history come alive. It's as if you are right there listening in on the political intrigue and court gossip of Catherine's day. She also strips away the unrealistic views of the great monarch passed down by those who observed her from afar. "Great Catherine" is a "great" book and worthy of your time - even if you know nothing of Russian history! Carolly continues to be one of the best historical biographers of our dayBook Review: This book reads like a drawn out soap-opera.
Summary: 2 Stars
I had the opportunity to read this book while I was studying
in Russia. Instead of it being awe inspiring, I found Ms.
Erickson's comments on how Catherine the Great, like how she
suffered during her wedding cermony because of her constrictive
dress, to be boring and unecessary. Ms. Erickson added
extranneous information that kept making me say, "get on
with the plot." She then teased with sumptous banter about
Catherine's sex life only to end up using vague references
instead of meaty tidbits. I would have like to have gotten
my hands on a copy before it went to press so I could have
asked, "do you really think this part is necessary?"