Catherine the Great
1st Edition
Published on 9. December 2010
978-1-84765-192-1 (ISBN)
Description
When Catherine II died in St Petersburg in 1796 the world sensed the loss of the most celebrated monarch of Europe - something no one would have predicted at the birth sixty-seven years before of an obscure German princess, Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, later married off to the pathetic heir to the Russian throne. There were few greater transformations of fortunes in history.
Sophie/Catherine had come to rule in her own right over the largest state in existence since the fall of the Roman Empire. She was branded both a usurper and an assassin when she seized power from her wretched husband in 1762. Yet she survived the initial succession crisis, and went on to occupy the Russian throne for thirty-four years. In the process, she turned her new empire from peripheral pariah to European great power.
Sophie/Catherine had come to rule in her own right over the largest state in existence since the fall of the Roman Empire. She was branded both a usurper and an assassin when she seized power from her wretched husband in 1762. Yet she survived the initial succession crisis, and went on to occupy the Russian throne for thirty-four years. In the process, she turned her new empire from peripheral pariah to European great power.
Reviews / Votes
A superb biography ... scholarly, refreshing, commonsensical and compelling, vividly portraying the charismatic Empress and her times -- Simon Sebag Montefiore * Sunday Telegraph * Dixon brings his subject to life admirably in this scholarly and sympathetic biography of a remarkable woman -- Maria Fairweather * Mail on Sunday * Dixon is impressive at description, building with intricate detail, and the book swarms with terrific characters. -- Duncan Fallowell * Daily Express * Lively and readable -- Paul Byrne * Irish Times *All prices
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Reflowable
ISBN-13
978-1-84765-192-1 (9781847651921)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Simon Dixon
Catherine the Great
Book
03/2010
Profile Books Ltd
€36.11
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Person
Simon Dixon is Professor of Russian History at University College, London and chairman of the Literary Committee for the Russian Booker Prize.
