Saturday, July 29, 2017

Peter the Great

Author: Robert K Massie
Stars: 4
Review by:MApgar

This was big, like 'choke a rhino with it' big. But keep in mind the guy did a lot and he was pretty freaking crazy at times to boot so that ups things by a few chapters. Born to a czar's personally beloved (but politically hated) second wife, Peter's father died when he was young, and he witnessed political troops murder family and allies only to have his half sister seize the regency. Sophia was the only person he feared, even above his arch rival the King of Sweden whom he battled for years - basically it was a combo spitting match / St Petersburg rights. Peter revolutionized Russia in many ways despite his own shortcomings - poorly educated, he was juvenile in many ways, quick tempered, and was sensitive about his epilepsy. But he was loyal once won and brave under assault.

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