Product Description

The unknown story of the last Tsar of Russia set against backdrop of wealth, love, sex, royalty, war, revolution and murder. The relationship and subsequent marriage of Michael and Natasha was one of Greatest scandals in Russian History. It lead to Michael's disgrace, humiliation and banishment. Michael and Natasha is the first full account of this magnificent love story. But it is also more than that : It charts the decline of the last age of elegance and provides a fascinating insight into the daysleading up to the Russian Revolution. This is an outstanding romance, a Royal scandal and a compelling historical drama with a supremely tragic ending.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #680566 in Books
• Published on: 1998-06-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 464 pages

Customer Reviews

The Czar for a day and his wife - a book which sheds much light on the Imperial Clan in the pre-revolutionary time.
We often think that Nicolas II. was the last Czar, when indeed it had been his brother as Nicholas abdicated in his favour. So he became the new Czar but Michael in his turn abdicated. With that the 300 years rule of the Romanoff dynasty ended.

This excellent book tells the reader first of all the love story of Michael and Natasha, their fight to be allowed to marry as she was not of royal blood and how they defied conventions and married without the necessary Imperial permission. This is the romantic side of the story and interesting in itself.

But the author does not stop there. The book is in fact a biography of the Grand Duke Michael and his wife and sheds much light on the Imperial Clan in the pre-revolutionary time.

The authors revives this charming, lively, not too serious minded and utterly spoiled young prince, much loved by his parents. However, as charming the exterior might have been, there does not seem to be much inside, at least not for the position he was born into. He is not a villain but rather indulging in his passions. Natasha, Countess and later Princess Brassova, does seem to be the right match for him as she is far more determined than him. Of course, she made (one in inclined to say slept) her way up by being a royal mistress and wife, but one feels that she loved Michael, especially when she stick to him when things went utterly wrong for the Romanoffs.

By following the live story of these two personalities the author presents a vivid and interesting picture of the whole Romanoff dynasty before the revolution and the upper crust of the Russian society. Michael seems to be one of those grand dukes who took personal happiness and passion before duty. But by that the dynasty lost more and more respect and the members of the Romanoff clan eroded their own foundation. Of course, at the same time they were never dreaming of giving up their princely prerogatives and even more their princely income. Pleasure without duty - maybe the sign of an utterly decadent society. So this story of the Grand Duke Michael or Czar Michael II and his wife Princess Brassova helps to understand the downfall of the Romanoff.

This book is is a pleasure to read!

Highly recommended history of love found and lost
Rosemary and Donald Crawford present a little known adenda to the story of the Romanov Tsars. Their research and sympathetic presentation offers entrance for the reader into the great love story of Michael and Natasha. It quickly catches you up in a pace, all too fast, racing to a tragic finalle. The reader is plundged into the confusion and multiple currants of the Russian experience of the First World War and then, the following Revolution. You shout helplessly at the book, "flee for your lives!" during the short window that they had that opportunity. You pour over and over the wonderful pictures as you become more and more familiar with the characters. I was supprised at a new and revealing discription of Nicholas and Alexandra, showing them with all their weaknesses, bumps and warts. It was interesting that the brothers, Nicholas and Michael shared the trait of complete love and devotion to one woman. One wonders about the family dynamics that produced such a shared commitment. The book is another opportunity to examine the Russian capacity for ineptitude that still goes on today. In the sum, it is the account of a great love story, doomed by it's time.

Excellent research, a great read and all true.
After visiting Russia twice and spending a lot of time and energy reading and endevouring to grasp the events of 1900 -1918 I found this book gave me a whole new perpective. Well researched, and written .A good read and a fresh and different view of the Russian Royal family.