Peter the Great: His Life and World by Robert K. Massie Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Peter the Great: His Life and World
Book Review: A GREAT BOOK ABOUT PETER
Summary: 5 Stars
As an author with my debut novel in its initial release, I realize the importance of selecting subject matter that moves beyond the specific story in any single book. Robert Massie has achieved this basic literary goal masterfully in PETER THE GREAT. In this well-researched and informative volume, Massie tells the tale of Peter the Great, his country, European culture, and his historical era. Massie presents Peter in human terms with characteristics that are often contradictory. On a much more important level, this book presents Massie's view of one of the key eras in Russian history. Peter's era provides many crucial elements of the cultural underpinnings of one of the mightiest nations in the modern world--cultural underpinnings that must be understood by every thoughtful and informed individual.Book Review: A Masterpiece and epic in it's telling
Summary: 5 Stars
This volume is simply one of the very best, most exciting, interesting, and highly charged biographies I have read. Fortunately for me, a pending visit to Saint Petersburg provided me with the motivation to pull this twenty four-year-old 1st Edition copy from my bookshelf. Its 850 pages had seemed a daunting task no matter how many people had recommended this as a "must read". Robert Massie has created a masterpiece of story telling. Each chapter is the equivalent of a short story and compelling in it's own right. And each is presented with an introduction that places you, the reader, in context. Massie also places you both in Peter the Great's time but populates his world with many other sovereigns and characters of interesting historical note. Most notably a large part of the book is devoted to King Charles XII of Sweden. Upon completion of this wonderful book I had a much better understanding of Russia, the Baltic States history and the origins of may Russian cultural traits. Peter the Great was a massive personality who's impact was both awful for those he ruled and passed judgement on, and visionary for pushing Russia into a modern and westernized nation. Overall, the book reads like an epic Russian Novel, deep in character study, action, adventure, and compelling social observation. Massie is just an excellent writer. I highly recommend this book as others have recommended it to me.Book Review: A Perfect Biography
Summary: 5 Stars
Massie's book is a magnificent accomplishment. The depth and scope of this (admittedly massive) book are breathtaking, the writing consistently superb, and the subject endlessly fascinating. Massie never lets the march of historical fact get in the way of a good anecdote, or vice-versa, and many of the images scattered through the 800-odd pages (Peter's retinue of dwarves, traitors hanged and their scaffolds floated down the rivers of Russia as a warning, the Swedish army limping though the hot and dusty Russian countryside) are unforgettable. This book knocked me out, frankly, and I'm off to Russia to see for myself as soon as I can. A stunning achievement. If only all biographies were this well researched and written.Book Review: A Stunning Portrait of the Man Who Changed Russia
Summary: 5 Stars
An excellent background novel for anyone visiting St. Petersburg or the Hermitage. Perfect for the Trans-Siberian Railroad!Book Review: A Well Earned Five Star Rating
Summary: 5 Stars
It is rare that I give any book five stars, because there is always something about a book that could be better. Robert Massie's "Peter the Great" is one of the few exceptions to that rule. His writing is elegant and beautiful, and all of the events he writes about, from the building of the Russian fleet, to the construction of St. Petersburg, to the battles of the Great Northern War, are fascinating. A lesser author could have easily jumbled the countless events in this book into a an unreadable mess, but this book is very interesting from beginning to end.In addition to all of the events discussed, historical figures like Charles XII of Sweden and George I of Hanover (then England) are portrayed in detail, with fascinating little tidbits strewn throughout.
If your historical interest in Peter the Great, or Russia, or 18th Century Europe is even miniscule, you will find great value in this book (no pun intended), and it will absolutely have you searching for more books on subjects you may not even have known of before reading it.
Hands down one of the best books of any type I have read in a long time.