russia

This is probably THE best photographic tribute to Nicholas II and his family that I have read. It has more photographs than any other book except "Nicholas and Alexandra: The Last Imperial Family of Tsarist Russia," and unlike that book, it includes a coherent narrative of the Romanovs' lives and deaths. The photographs are breathtaking, and the writing is good. It includes numerous quotes from previously unpublished letters and diaries of the Tsar and Empress and their five children. The information on the children is especially appreciated, since it is so hard to find books that deal with any of the daughters except Anastasia.

One flaw that irritated me a great deal was the translation of the Romanovs' letters and diary entries. For example, one fragment was translated "Talked with golden Mitya... nice, sweet he is." Word order is less important in Russian than it is in English; without having access to the original Russian, I can still guess that a correct translation would have been "he is nice, sweet." Another entry is translated "a bit of him she is," instead of the much better "she is a bit of him." Similar mutilations of grammar occur throughout the book's quotes. This sort of thing is just plain sloppy, and very annoying.

The other fault I want to mention is from the chapter on Empress Alexandra's childhood. It was written by Dr. Manfred Knodt, who wrote a biography of Alexandra's brother, in German. The chapter quotes from Alexandra's mother, Alice's, letters to HER mother, Queen Victoria. These letters were originally written in English. They were published in English; this volume was then translated into German. The quotes from Alice's letters don't match the English volume; my guess is that the author worked from the German edition, and these quotes were then translated into English. Another minor thing, but sloppy. An editor ought to have caught this.

So, overall, the pictures are beautiful and the writing is good. A few sloppy errors in translation, but still one of the best books I've read on the subject.

A beautiful look at the last Imperial Family of Russia. Anyone with an interest in Nicholas and Alexandra would love to own this book. Although the text is interesting and informative, it is through the photographs, taken from the Romanov family albums, that we come to know them so intimately. Both Nicholas and Alexandra were phtography enthusiasts; they and their five children all owned cameras and used them frequently.

Lavish and gorgeous, this book is also unique. I cannot recall one other famous person (or family) to whom we have such intimate photographic access. Reproductions of the family's letters and diaries are also included.

This book would certainly be a beautiful and treasured addition to any Romanoy collection.

If you are the type of Romanov buff that really enjoys seeing a good deal of photos of the family as you read, then this is the book you need to get. This book is awsome, the pages are filled with photographs of the family. Some of the pictures take up the entire page. The photographs range from Nicholas's family, to Alexandra's family, and then to the family they made together as the Tsar and Tsarina of Russia. Some of the photographs are really rare, that have not been seen in other books. You will really appreciate that when you look through this truly well accomplished book.

When you have had your fun looking at all the great photographs thats when you should start to sit down and read the book. The text is so rich and well written. The author goes into great detail in describing the life of this wonderful family. Each major event of their life is carefully laid out into a well researched story. It's an easy read that is not at all boring or misleading. The book is not entirely political, which is a big plus to me. If you just want to educate yourself more on this extrodinary family, don't get a book that is completely focused on Russian politics of the period. This book is the one to buy and trust me it is well worth the money.