Product Description

Born a little German princess without a drop of Russian blood in her veins she came to embody Russia and as the country moved from war to war and conquest to conquest it was Catherine who became great. Those who served her throne, or her bed, were well rewarded while the serfs were condemned to ever-worsening conditions. Men were instruments of pleasure. The weak had to perish. The future belonged to men - and sometimes a man could have the outward appearance of a woman. She was proof of that. This literary tour de force paints an enthralling picture of Catherine, her seductions, her coaxings and her phenomenal devotion to politics and work, but it also brings the Russian court - with all its intrigues - brilliantly to life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #710763 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-20
• Original language: French
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

From the Publisher
“Theoretically a straightforward biography, it illumines far more than the life of that amazing woman; a brilliant court, Russia itself, sparkle before our eyes” Antonia Fraser The Good Book Guide.

About the Author
Henri Troyat was born a Russian Jew (Lev Trassov), but was educated in France. He is a member of the Academie Francaise, and in 1938 he won the Prix Goncourt. He has written biographies, novels, short stories, essays and travel books.

Customer Reviews

Catherine the Great- The Empress Bunny!
This was a very enjoyable book. A little long on the many, and I mean many, romantic flings that Catherine had and a little short on the foreign policy issues facing Russia and this time. As a result, the book sometimes teeters on becoming a romance novel or soap opera. However, it is especially strong in covering Catherine's early years, her relationship with Elizabeth and her ascension to power. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone interested in Czarist Russia, dynamic characters such as Catherine, or just good historical novels. Strung together well, holds your attention, and wonderfully written. Good research with an abundance of original letters to draw upon and discuss in context.

Superb and fascinating read!
Catherine the Great was a wonderful read. It masterfully followed the intrigues of court life and all its complexities. One learned a great deal of information regarding Catherine, some through personal letters of her own. Troyat did a remarkable job with this biography. Anyone interested in Russian history, or even someone merely interested in a twisting tale such as one you might find in a work of fiction--Catherine is definitely a go!

Entertaining, fascinating and informative!
I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that this biography, unlike others I've read, was a page turner as well as an eye-opener. In fact,it was one of the best books I have ever read. Informative to the hilt, it takes the reader through the life of Catherine II from her birth to her death, with excerps from her Memoires and correspondences over the years. It read like some romance novels I've experienced, full of Court intrigue and brimming with affairs. Catherine the Great was truly deserving of her title. I would highly recommend this book to everybody. Even if you don't like biography, I guarantee you won't realize you're reading one.