Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #288529 in Books
• Published on: 1985-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 456 pages

Synopsis
Drawing on unpublished Romanov papers, extensive trial records, and numerous interviews this biography examines the life of the woman who may be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, daughter of Nicholas II.

Customer Reviews

Masterpiece
Not so long ago, the burnt remains of the two missing Romanov children were found in Koptyaki wood. For most people, this solemn discovery signalled a final end to almost a century of debate over the survival of any of the Romanovs, particularly Anastasia. For others still, this conclusion had been reached as far back as 1994 when DNA testing between tissue left by Anna Anderson (the famous Anastasia claimant) and the remains of the other Romanovs found in 1991, established no link, and later confirmed her identity as the Polish factory worker Franziska Schanzkowska, whom her opponents had long insisted was her real identity.

With such conclusions having now been drawn, it's difficult to know how to approach 'Anastasia', Peter Kurth's definitive biography from 1983 which strongly supported Anderson's claim. With the scientific evidence being what it is, there are many who treat Kurth's study with derision, accusing the author of bias and expostulating loudly over his personal attachment to the case. But this judgement is ignorant and completely unfair. Studies of the Romanovs are more often than not just boring repetitions of the same old conclusions made by conservative authors long ago. Kurth's work stood out for its originality, it's supreme research and more than anything the independent and intelligent way the author analysed the case.

The book begins with a fleeting and hauntingly vague description of the last evening of the Romanovs. In a hail of bullets, they quickly exit the story and enter legend. From here the sorrowing lamentations of their relatives are described, lamentations that are about to be shaken to the core by the attempted suicide of a young woman in the Landwehr canal in Berlin. No one knows her name and for months she obstinately refuses to talk. Eventually, she confesses to being a daughter of the Tsar and later, that her name is Anastasia.

Most commendable is the precision with which Kurth argues her case. Although doubtlessly favourable to Anna Anderson, Kurth provides strong arguments for this and describes the major and most important episodes of her life in minute detail, all backed by source notes. With this in mind, Kurth's book is less biased than other well-known scholars who airily state their conclusions without defending them or providing sufficient source material.

Reading 'Anastasia' will leave you feeling confused and more than a little disturbed. On one hand there are the burnt remains from Siberia, which DNA testing have confirmed to be the missing Romanovs, and then there is this woman - the very incarnation of the late Grand duchess on so many different levels - hounded by the most virulent opposition in the world, many of them leading members of the establishment. Somewhere, there is a jarring clash of truths, and the story of her life will rest uneasy on my mind for some time to come.

Superb and serious biography
The only serious biography of Anna Anderson, this is a superb book. Peter Kurth became interested in the Romanovs at a young age, has interviewed many of the main players in the story and got to know Anna Anderson herself. He makes no bones about the fact that he believed her but this thoroughly researched book gives both sides of the argument, presents many sources and further reading for those who wish to know more.

If you only buy one book about Anastasia, make sure it is this one.

Entertaining
Peter Kurth is an excellent writer and has the ability of bringing historic events to vivid life, a manifestation of belief and conviction in/for his subject. Although DNA evidence has now proven beyond reasonable doubt Anna Anderson was a fraud his book is none-the-less of value, it brings to life a fascinating era and womans futile fantacy life. Historians and romantics will probably debate the the merits, or lack there of, the Anna Anderson saga for years to come. Whether one chooses to accept the DNA evidence or not Peter Kurths book is highly recommended, a window into a remarkable womans even more remarkable fantacy life which millions willingly believed.