300 ratings | 234 reviews | avg rating:3.99

more photos (1)

Helen Azar’s Followers (102)

Helen’s Bookshelves

to-read (263)
currently-reading (55)
read (315)
antique-books-i-own (2)
autographed-books-i-own (9)
historical-fiction-series (21)
mystery-series (18)
started-but-couldn-t-finish (14)

Helen’s Friends (196)

Brina

1,279 books | 4,999 friends

Vickie (I love books)

9,660 books | 927 friends

Janilyn Kocher

8,642 books | 195 friends

Sylvia Jacobs

676 books | 64 friends

Kenzie Mills

11,426 books | 67 friends

Joel Nichols

1,028 books | 211 friends

Dan

716 books | 126 friends

Kate

1,917 books | 252 friends

More friends…

Helen Azar

Goodreads Author

Website

https://www.theromanovfamily.com/

Twitter

helenazar

Genre

History, Biography, Memoir

Influences

Mark Twain, Alexandre Dumas, Benjamin Franklin ...more

Member Since

August 2009

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/helenazar

edit data

Helen Azar has been interested in history of the Romanov Dynasty for many years, ever since she became fascinated with the saga of the human remains discovered outside Ekaterinburg in the 1990s, which were proven to be those of Russia’s murdered imperial family. The subsequent controversy about these bones, and Helen’s science background (she studied biochemistry), moved her to co-author several articles explaining the authenticity of the remains.

At the time, Helen was attending library school, and in summer of 2005, she got a unique opportunity to do an internship at Tsarskoe Selo Museum, where she worked with the imperial book collection – books which once belonged to the Tsars and Tsaritsas – from Catherine the Great to Nicholas II.

In 20 Helen Azar has been interested in history of the Romanov Dynasty for many years, ever since she became fascinated with the saga of the human remains discovered outside Ekaterinburg in the 1990s, which were proven to be those of Russia’s murdered imperial family. The subsequent controversy about these bones, and Helen’s science background (she studied biochemistry), moved her to co-author several articles explaining the authenticity of the remains.

At the time, Helen was attending library school, and in summer of 2005, she got a unique opportunity to do an internship at Tsarskoe Selo Museum, where she worked with the imperial book collection – books which once belonged to the Tsars and Tsaritsas – from Catherine the Great to Nicholas II.

In 2012 Helen published her first book, “The Diary of Olga Romanov“, which was based on numerous wartime diaries and letters written by the eldest daughter of the last Tsar, which she translated directly from the scans of the Grand Duchess’s own handwritten documents.

In 2014 Helen founded and became administrator of this website, where she publishes original articles and excerpts from her books.

In the following few years Helen released 7 more books based on her original translations of diaries and letters of the other Romanov family members; the latest is scheduled to be released in 2019 – “Maria Romanov: Third Daughter of the Last Tsar” – the book based on the writings of Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna.

Late in 2018, Helen released a book, which is only available electronically through this website: THE PRIVATE DIARY OF MATHILDE KSCHESSINSKA, 100% of proceeds from which will go right back into running the website.

It had been Helen’s long standing dream to organise “In their steps” tour, which would allow to share her passion for the subject with others, as well as teach and learn more about this fascinating and tragic family. Their story truly represents the proverbial “truth is more interesting than fiction”, but unfortunately through the years, there has been a lot of misinterpretation and misinformation about them in secondary sources. The reason for that may be the lack of ready access to primary sources, not just during the Soviet era, but also today. There is also a strange shortage of Russian speaking historians outside of Russia who are interested in writing about this particular subject in English; and those few who know the language are not able or willing to spend months or even years deciphering the often indecipherable handwriting of the imperial family members.

Yet, in Russia there is still a mountain of untapped archival material which can give the world so much new information about that period in Russian history, as well as eliminate long standing myths and misinformation. Helen always felt that it’s very important to present this material in its almost raw form, which is why in her work she refrains from offering subjective interpretations, and allows the reader to make up his or her own mind based on the text they read.

In 2018, the hundredth anniversary year of the murders of the Romanov family, Helen published the book IN THE STEPS OF THE ROMANOVS, and created the dream tour, bringing a group of Russian imperial history enthusiasts to experience important historical events first hand, by literally following in the footsteps of the last imperial family during the last two years of their lives.

Among a number of other places, the group visited Tsarskoe Selo, Tobolsk and Ekaterinburg. A smaller group even went to Crimea and Moscow, where they ended their journey at the Russian State Archives, looking at the original documents written by the Romanovs. A six part documentary from this trip will be available later in 2019. ...more

1 post
Helen Azar's Blog

Book should be available for pre-order on Amazon US by the end of this week.

The book has been available on Amazon UK and some of the other countries for a couple of months now, but due to a "glitch" it has not been on Amazon US. Hopefully that's about to change by the end of this week, and you should be able to preorder it there too! I will keep you posted. The Diary of Olga Romanov: Royal Witness to the Russian Revolution. Read more of this blog post »

2 likes · Like • 1 comment • flag

Published on July 03, 2013 07:20 • Tags: amazon-com

Combine Editions
Helen Azar’s books

Average rating: 4.11 · 1,175 ratings · 160 reviews · 21 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Diary of Olga Romanov: Royal Witness to the Russian Revolution 3.84 avg rating — 496 ratings — published 2013 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tatiana Romanov, Daughter of the Last Tsar: Diaries and Letters, 1913–1918 by Helen Azar (Goodreads Author), Nicholas B.A. Nicholson (Goodreads Author) 4.40 avg rating — 113 ratings — published 2015 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Russia's Last Romanovs: In Their Own Words 4.03 avg rating — 109 ratings — published 2013 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	MARIA and ANASTASIA: The Youngest Romanov Grand Duchesses In Their Own Words (The Russian Imperial Family: In Their Own Words Book 2) 4.30 avg rating — 80 ratings — published 2015 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	MARIA ROMANOV: THIRD DAUGHTER OF THE LAST TSAR. Diaries and Letters 1908-1918. by Helen Azar (Goodreads Author), George Hawkins (Goodreads Author) 4.54 avg rating — 70 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	In the Steps of the Romanovs: Final Two Years of Russian Imperial Family (1916-18) (In their own words) 4.39 avg rating — 66 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Journal of a Russian Grand Duchess: Complete Annotated 1913 Diary of Olga Romanov, Eldest Daughter of the Last Tsar 4.33 avg rating — 58 ratings — published 2015 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	1913 Diary of Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna: Complete Tercentennial Journal of the Third Daughter of the Last Tsar (The Romanovs in Their Own Words Book 6) by Helen Azar (Goodreads Author), Amanda Madru (Editor) 3.94 avg rating — 52 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Anastasia Romanov: The Tsar's Youngest Daughter Speaks Through Her Writings (1907 - 1918) by Helen Azar (Goodreads Author), George Hawkins (Goodreads Author) 4.43 avg rating — 37 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Romanov Family Yearbook: On this date in their own words by Helen Azar (Goodreads Author), Amanda Madru (With) 4.33 avg rating — 21 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Helen Azar…

Series by Helen Azar

The Russian Imperial Family: In Their Own Words (6 books)
by

Helen Azar (Goodreads Author),

Amanda Madru (Editor)

4.01 avg rating — 908 ratings

Helen is Currently Reading

Helen Azar is currently reading

Anne Boleyn: A Novel

by Evelyn Anthony

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Sep 15, 2025 05:08PM

Helen Azar is currently reading

Mary Stuart Celebrated Crimes

by Alexandre Dumas

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Sep 15, 2025 05:07PM

Helen Azar is currently reading

The Fugitive Queen (Ursula Blanchard #7)

by Fiona Buckley

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Jun 01, 2025 07:50PM

rss
Helen’s Recent Updates

Helen Azar is currently reading Anne Boleyn: A Novel by Evelyn Anthony	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 15, 2025 05:08PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Anne Boleyn by Evelyn Anthony. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Anne Boleyn by Evelyn Anthony <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Helen Azar is currently reading Mary Stuart Celebrated Crimes by Alexandre Dumas	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 15, 2025 05:07PM · like
Helen Azar is currently reading The Fugitive Queen (Ursula Blanchard #7) by Fiona Buckley	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jun 01, 2025 07:50PM · like
Helen Azar finished reading A Pawn for a Queen (Ursula Blanchard, #6) by Fiona Buckley	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 21, 2025 11:09PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Pawn for a Queen by Fiona Buckley. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Pawn for a Queen by Fiona Buckley <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Helen Azar is currently reading A Pawn for a Queen (Ursula Blanchard, #6) by Fiona Buckley	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 14, 2025 07:21PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Pawn for a Queen by Fiona Buckley. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Pawn for a Queen by Fiona Buckley <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Helen Azar is currently reading A Daughter of Warwick: Queen to Richard III by Judith Arnopp (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 05, 2025 02:32AM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Daughter of Warwick by Judith Arnopp. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Daughter of Warwick by Judith Arnopp <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Helen Azar is currently reading Elizabeth of Rosepath (The Book of Roses, #1) by Kelly River (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 09, 2025 07:13PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Elizabeth of Rosepath by Kelly River. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Elizabeth of Rosepath by Kelly River <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Helen Azar is currently reading Daughter of the King (Defying the Crown, #1) by Kerry Chaput (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Feb 08, 2025 02:36PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Daughter of the King by Kerry Chaput. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Daughter of the King by Kerry Chaput <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Helen Azar is currently reading The Letter Series Novels Boxed Set (Books 1-3): The Last Letter, The Road Home, The Kitchen Mistress by Kathleen Shoop (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 26, 2025 05:56PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Letter Series Novels Boxed Set (Books 1-3) by Kathleen Shoop. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Letter Series Novels Boxed Set (Books 1-3) by Kathleen Shoop <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Helen Azar is currently reading Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 22, 2025 04:57PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

More of Helen's books…

Quotes by Helen Azar (?)

“[Olga's dreams of happiness:] Get married, always live in the countryside winter and summer, see only good people, no one official.”
― Helen Azar, The Diary of Olga Romanov: Royal Witness to the Russian Revolution

5 likes

“They say that nothing good or happy goes on for very long, or rather does not last, but in my opinion the same is true for the bad, it should also all end sometime, right?” - Olga Romanov (trans Helen Azar)”
― Helen Azar

tags: anastasia, destiny, fate, happiness, love, romanov

2 likes