Peter the Great
Peter the Great
Book Brief
928
Biography • Nonfiction
Russia • 17th century
1980
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Peter the Great: His Life and World by Robert K. Massie details the life of Peter the Great, the Russian Tsar who modernized Russia in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It chronicles key historical events, including his rise to power, travels through Europe, involvement in the Great Northern War, and the founding of St. Petersburg, highlighting his ambitions and monumental impacts on Russian history as he relentlessly pursued westernization. The book depicts intense violence and cruelty, including scenes of torture and manipulation.
Informative
Adventurous
Mysterious
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
24,969 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Robert K. Massie's Peter the Great is celebrated for its meticulous research and engaging narrative, bringing Russia's transformative monarch to life with vivid detail. Critics commend its readability and depth, though some find it overly exhaustive and dense. Overall, it is deemed a comprehensive, albeit lengthy, historical biography.
Who Should Read Peter the Great?
Readers who relish meticulously researched biographies and epic historical narratives will enjoy Peter the Great by Robert K. Massie. Fans of David McCullough's John Adams or Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals will find similar satisfaction in this compelling portrayal of one of history's most transformational rulers.
24,969 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The writing of Peter the Great by Robert K. Massie involved extensive research, using a wide array of primary sources to detail the life and times of the Russian czar, reflecting Massie's dedication to accuracy and storytelling.
Robert K. Massie won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography in 1981 for Peter the Great, highlighting the book's critical acclaim and contribution to historical literature.
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To bring a vivid portrayal of Peter the Great's Russia, Massie's background as a historian and his skill in narrative nonfiction allowed him to transform complex historical events into compelling and accessible narratives.
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928
Biography • Nonfiction
Russia • 17th century
1980
Adult
18+ years
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