Product Description

This work examines Alexander II's life and reign, and the lives of his children, including his successor Tsar Alexander III, whose determination to purge the empire of all terrorism and protect the autocracy brought more violence in its wake; and his grandson, Tsar Nicholas II, whose vacillation between autocracy and liberalism and disastrous foreign ventures led to the violent dissolution of the monarchy. It also recounts the lives of the Tsar's children from his controversial second marriage - to his mistress, Catherine Dolgorouky - of whom the youngest, Catherine, lived in England for several years and died in 1959. The collapse of the dynasty, the Russian revolution and execution of several members of the family are thus seen through the eyes of the surviving sons and daughters of the Tsar Liberator.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23275 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

About the Author
John Van der Kiste is a well known royal writer and has written many successful books for Sutton, including GeorgeV's Children, George III's Children, Xenia, Once a Grand Duchess and Dearest Vicky, Darling Fritz. He has recently got engaged and lives in Devon.

Customer Reviews

The Family of Alexander II: understanding the Imperial Clan better meaning to understanderstand its downfall better
When I first saw this book I was a bit astonished why 1818 to 1959? I figured fairly quickly that 1818 refers to the birth date of Alexander II (29 Apr 1818), but 1959 remain a mystery as I always had 1960 in mind when Olga Alexandrowna died, the "last" Grand Duchess.

Well, I forgot that Alexander II was married twice. His second wife was Princess Catherine Dolgoruky, who was created Princess Yurievska. His daughter from this second marriage and his last child to die was Princess Catherine Yourievska who died on 22 December 1959.

This time frame makes it already clear that this book focuses on the Czar Alexander II and his family, including Czar Alexander III. It is not so much about the last Czar Nicolas II or rather in an indirect way as the family of Alexander II was the wider family of Nicolas II and the "famous uncles" had a great influence on the last Czar and the reputation of the dynasty as a whole.

By following the ups and down of the Imperial clan and the relationships of its members one is learning and understanding a lot about the functioning or non functioning of the Imperial Family, whose unity was precarious and whose members' life style and often odd sense of responsibility contrasted too harshly with the respect demanded. This all had an impact on the history of Russia. It was part and parcel leading up to the revolution. This book really filled a gap. One understands a quite bit more about the Imperial clan and why one might regard him as doomed. The Romanovs were by far not only victims of the revolution but have to bear lots of responsibility for their own downfall. They were in charge and they could have turned the wheel. They did not. They did not deserve to be shot in cellars (none does!), but loosing power and wealth is a different matter.

This book is written in the usual excellent style of van der Kiste, extremely readable and giving in depth information. It is a pleasure to read.

Splendid panoramic view
It was quite an ambitious undertaking for the author to write a family biography of the Tsar Liberator and his family, but he has pulled it off very well. Until now I'd never known much about the character of Tsars Alexander II and III, but this account brings them to life, and the contrast between Alexander III and his reticent son Nicholas II is drawn well. Above all, it is fascinating to read what became of the lesser-known Grand Dukes and Duchesses, as well as the martyrs who were killed during and after the revolution. Also Alexander II's family by his mistress, the daughter living until 1959, seem to have received little attention till now. Well done to Van der Kiste for lifting the curtain on this little-known historical chapter.

Well written and interesting
A well written history of the reigns and families of Emperors Alexander II and III. It's good to read something that talks about the lesser known members of the family, not just Nicholas and Alexandra and their children. Somehow surprising that the last child of Alexander II survived until 1959 - a yawning gap between two vastly different worlds.