The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel: Romanovs, Revolutionaries, and the Forgotten Titan Who Fueled the World

by Douglas Brunt

From the author of the New York Times bestselling The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel comes the enthralling hidden history of one of the world’s most successful business titans, a rival to the Rockefellers and the Rothschilds, whose legacy was erased in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, European History, Russia, Audiobook, Historical

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2026

About the author

Douglas Brunt is an American novelist, historian, podcast host for SiriusXM, and entrepreneur. He was the CEO of Authentium, Inc., an Internet security company, which he sold in 2011.

Brunt is The New York Times bestselling author of fiction and nonfiction. His narrative history titles include THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF RUDOLF DIESEL and THE LOST EMPIRE OF EMANUEL NOBEL.

More information at www.douglasbrunt.com

Reviews

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a mixed reaction to Douglas Brunt’s Rudolf Diesel biography, but it was very readable and he had picked an interesting subject. His latest, about Emmanuel Nobel (nephew to Alfred Nobel, of the prizes), is a much improved effort. Once again, Brunt has chosen a fascinating, and as he persuasively argues, under known historical figure. The fascinating story of the Nobel family carries this book--Emmanuel Nobel’s petroleum empire was built from nothing, and at his zenith of power, he was mentioned alongside Standard Oil. But when the Russian Revolution came, he lost it all, and now it’s been largely forgotten by history.

Brunt’s writing is serviceable. It doesn’t get in the way, but it won’t stir your soul. If you’re not already sold on biographies of business tycoons, this book won’t make you a convert. But if you are interested, you will be entertained.

I received an advance copy in exchange for this honest review.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nobel family emigrated from Sweden to Russia where multiple members became captains of industry. Everything was lost in the Russian Revolution. I had never heard of this family, and unfortunately this book did not manage to make them interesting to me, and I did not care about the oil business. I was much more interested in the last part of the book that dealt with the Revolution.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

[David Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most readable history of the late Tsar era and the Russian revolution that I’ve read.

[Sara H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the historical perspective of this one, and made the chaotic jump from Tsar to Lenin make a lot more sense.

[Edens Book Den · Rating 5 out of 5]

History lovers, this one is absolutely worth picking up. It's packed with fascinating historical detail, but never once feels dry or textbook-like. The story unfolds with the momentum of fiction, full of larger-than-life figures, political tension, ambition, power struggles, and so much drama that I kept forgetting I was reading nonfiction. It's immersive, compelling, and one of those books where you keep saying "how did I never know this before?" Loved it!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well done deep dive into understanding a part of history and the world that explains so much of the world now. Brundt has shown the oil world this time and wow… so many things about the US and Russia suddenly make sense!

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel: Romanovs, Revolutionaries, and the Forgotten Titan Who Fueled the World. Douglas Brunt. Atria Books, 2026. 368 pages.

Most people know of the Nobel prizes awarded each autumn in various fields of human achievement. Some know a little about Alfred Nobel, the inventor and industrialist who funded the awards in his will at least partly to assuage his guilt over profiting from manufacturing explosives. However, very few people are aware that the Nobels were a dominant, perhaps the most dominant, industrialist family in Europe, on par with, and often going head to head against the Rockefellers and the Rothschilds. The real driving force behind the Nobel wealth and power was actually Alfred's nephew Emanuel. He also is most responsible for the ensuring that the Nobel prizes exist. As the executor of his uncle's will, he was pressured by Alfred's heirs, and even the King of Sweden, to disregard the prizes, but Emanuel stood firm and created and served as the chief steward of the Nobel Prize and his uncle's legacy for the rest of his life. Emanuel was a visionary who built the largest oil industry in Russia and in Europe and amassed a huge fortune, while making powerful connections within the Russian bureaucracy and royal family, but he was not a "robber baron" in the American mold. Workers in Nobel industries were among the happiest, most loyal, and best taken care of in the world. Of course, all of that changed with World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the ensuing civil war. When it was all over, Emanuel was no longer an industrial titan, and he was relegated to being even less than a footnote in history. This excellent biography is extremely interesting and informative, and it offers at least some of the illumination that Nobel deserves.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the author's prior book, the Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel (a book I would recommend to everyone), so it was an easy decision to give this newly released volume. It is not a sequel, although I found that having read the volume on Rudolf Diesel added useful background to this work. But this is the story of Emanuel Nobel (brother to Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite and founder of the Nobel Prize).

The story is a fascinating bit of history. And the author wrote it because so little is discussed or widely known about this industrial titan.

I did not think the book was quite as interesting as the Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel, but that may be due to the more satisfactory ending of the book on Diesel. It is still a worthwhile read - particularly if you enjoy history!

[Susan Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Douglas Brunt’s The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel: Romanovs, Revolutionaries, and the Forgotten Titan Who Fueled the World is a fascinating and well-researched historical nonfiction book that brings attention to a largely forgotten industrial empire. Brunt tells the story of Emanuel Nobel and his family’s rise in the Russian oil industry before the Bolshevik Revolution erased much of their legacy. The book combines biography, politics, and economic history in a way that feels engaging and surprisingly fast-paced. The inclusion of figures like Joseph Stalin adds another layer of intrigue to the story. While some sections become detailed with industrial history, the writing remains accessible and compelling throughout. Overall, it is an informative and captivating read for anyone interested in Russian history, oil empires, or overlooked historical figures.

[Brian Coats · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel by Douglas Brunt is both thoroughly entertaining and genuinely educational. Brunt delivers masterful storytelling that brings to life the incredible rise of Emanuel Nobel—a titan of the oil industry who rivaled the Rockefellers and Rothschilds—amid the opulence of the Romanovs and the chaos of revolution.
I loved learning about this forgotten chapter of history and how the forces that shaped the early 20th century still echo in today’s world of energy, power, and politics. If you enjoy gripping nonfiction that reads like a novel and illuminates the past’s relevance to the present, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Such a well done historical account that it feels like a story instead of a history book! I learned so much! Highly recommend!

[Steve Eubanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve come to believe that you need to write novels first, or at least dabble in crafting plot, character, dialogue, and drama from the recesses of your mind, to stare at a blank screen with nothing but your wits and imagination, before venturing into the tedious and time-consuming world of narrative nonfiction. Great fiction writers learn how to build tension, develop story, force the reader to feel something for the characters, to understand their inner workings and motivations. The biggest compliment you can give a narrative nonfiction book is, “It reads like fiction.”

Enter Doug Brunt who had a bestselling fiction catalogue before shifting gears with the wildly successful “The Mysterious Case of Rudolph Deisel,” which I praised to the rooftops when it hit. But there is always the risk of a sophomore slump. Many great writers have one book in them. The follow-up always tells the tale.

Well, fear not. Brunt’s newest book “The Lost Empire of Emmanual Nobel” is at least as good if not better than his first. Like Deisel, most people only know the name Nobel because of Emmanual’s uncle, Alfred, the inventor of dynamite who created the Nobel Prize. But what you don’t know is that Alfred didn’t conjure his invention out of some dream. His father, Immanual, was an explosives’ expert who created the first contact mine to protect ports in time of war, and Emmanuel, the nephew, stood up to the king of Sweden who wanted the family to contest Alfred’s will. There wouldn’t be a Nobel Prize if not for Emmanual Nobel, about whom you probably know nothing.

When I was in grade school, we were taught that the world’s first billionaire and the richest man alive at the turn at the 20th century was John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. That is probably untrue. Nobel was likely the richest man on earth prior to WWII. His fortune came from Russian oil, munitions, steel, and other manufacturing endeavors that he ran with incredible success.

Unlike Rockefeller, Nobel was known throughout Europe for his honorable treatment of employees and concerns for his communities. He was the first person to transport oil in a tanker ship – one he created – and the first to create his own currency to stabilize the money supply when the rest of Russia lost its mind.

But this isn’t just a book about an industrialist, although it would be excellent if that was the only storyline. This is the most fascinating history you will ever read about the Romanovs, Rasputin, Lenin, and especially Joseph Stalin. Brunt takes you places your history professors dared not tread for fear of ticking off the cranky old commie department head with dandruff on the shoulders of his tweed jacket and teeth the color of Naugahyde. If you want the real story of the Russian revolution, its devastating impact on the Russian people, Europe, and rest of the world, read this book.

There’s more, though. Brunt never writes this – the best ones don’t – but the subtext of “Nobel” is that the revolutionary impulses that darkened Eastern Europe and led to 70 years of death, haven’t gone away. Like evil itself, they live in the heart of every man. We must recognize that fact and stand against the current rising forces, or we too will be relegated to the obscurity of Emmanual Nobel, once the world’s richest man.

In the meantime, read this and recommend it to others. You won’t regret it.

[Josh Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a few histories of the oil industry, most of which focused on the emergence of the U.S. industry and its consolidation by Standard Oil. Brunt’s book shifts the focus to Russia, and to the emergence of global competition that broke the American monopoly.

The vast majority of Russian oil came from the Black Sea port of Baku, now in Azerbaijan. Baku had produced oil for more than a millennium. By the 14th century, Marco Polo noted that the region was famed for a “spring from which gushes a stream of oil.” Polo wrote that the oil was “not good to eat,” but was useful for burning and as a salve for wounds. For centuries, production in the region remained small-scale and artisanal, with oil sold mostly in regional markets.

The spark that led to the oil boom of the late 19th century was the development, in 1846, of a process for refining kerosene from crude oil. Kerosene produced a far cleaner and steadier flame than crude oil, or the then-dominant whale oil, which led to a rapid increase in demand for both crude and refining capacity.

When Robert Nobel arrived in Baku in 1873, he recognized that the Russian oil industry was in a state similar to that of the U.S. industry before its consolidation by Standard Oil. There were many small-scale producers and refiners, but they lacked the capital, modern equipment, and business and technical know-how to compete with the Americans. As a result, kerosene from the U.S. dominated the market.

Robert, with backing from his wealthy family, basically applied the Rockefeller playbook in Russia, and it worked as well there as it had in the U.S. The Nobels consolidated the industry and built a lucratively profitable enterprise by deploying the latest technology and using sharp-elbowed market practices. The Nobel business never quite attained the dominance of Standard Oil. They faced competition from the Rothschild-controlled Caspian and Black Sea Petroleum Company, later merged into Royal Dutch Shell, and from 1909 onward from the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, later renamed BP. Both had the sophistication and resources to compete with the deep-pocketed Nobels.

The man who would ultimately drive the Nobels and the Rothschilds from the market was not a business tycoon, but the son of an impoverished alcoholic shoemaker. Joseph Stalin was born in 1878 and, after training to become a priest, became radicalized and began working as a labor organizer and political agitator. As far as Stalin was concerned, the Nobels and Rothschilds were public enemy number two in Russia, after only the Tsar. In 1901, he got a job in a warehouse owned by the Rothschilds, where he immediately organized a strike and was arrested. In later years, he would organize guerrilla bands to sabotage pipelines.

When the Bolsheviks eventually emerged victorious, Nobel fled the country. He eventually agreed to sell his business, which he no longer controlled, to Standard Oil. Standard paid a small fraction of what the business would have been worth, hoping that the Soviets would eventually return the assets. This hope was not realized, and Standard became one of many Western companies to eventually take a write-off on their Russian operations.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of how 3 generations of the Nobel family built the largest business enterprise in Russia (and perhaps the world at that time) only to lose it in the Russian Revolution.

The book begins with Immanuel Nobel, (1801-1872). As an inventor/entrepreneur, he went into debt working with rubber and explosives. He had to leave his wife and children in his native Sweden to avoid debtor’s prison. After a 5 year separation, he was able to have them come to St. Petersburg, Russia where he found opportunity in the business of explosives.

As Immanuel aged and the sons took over the business. It grew and diversified. One son, Alfred, bought the explosive business and moved to Paris. The Nobel Prize comes from this son's legacy.

The sons who remain in Russia expanded into the oil in the fields of Baku. They grew vertically, creating tankers to carry their oil. They are the first to produce diesel fuel. With war always present or anticipated, they diversified from explosives/ammunition to arms. War, which is good for these businesses, became inevitable as was the world’s changing and growing energy need.

The Nobel’s are enlightened employers, providing good pay, housing and education. They maintain good relations with the Tsar and his administration. They are courted by representatives of Standard Oil, the Rothschild's and Royal Dutch Shell for joint ventures.

These sections of the book are well written and interesting, but, as war is on the horizon and a young man from the Baku area who (becomes Stalin) stokes the nations unrest, the book becomes a “can’t put it down”.

In the last half of the book, you see the stages of the Russian Revolution and how they played out at the corporate level. You see the world’s large oil companies hovering around to get a piece of the soon to be nationalized infrastructure.

You see the Nobel family positioning itself to resume business as usual once the chaos is over. You see Nicholas abdicate, the influence and death of Rasputin, the brutal death of the royal family and international reaction, the return of Lenin and Trotsky (with the help of the Germans) and Stalin. The death of Lenin followed by the tight grip of Stalin.

Finally, you see how the family (whom you come to love and admire) finds its way out of the country. (Don’t worry, they have plenty of money, safely parked in European banks.) You see how the Nobel Prize might not have happened (despite Albert’s will) without the work of his brother Emmanuel.

To help you keep it all straight, there is a Family Tree, a Timeline, and clear descriptions of the competing ideologies of the day. There is an Index, Notes, a Bibliography and a short description of the Nobel family today. There are good B & Ws. Some are portraits, others are of the industrial facilities.

This is a very well researched and well written book. Although business deals and the politics are complex, the book is highly readable which is an achievement of its author.

Highly recommended.

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love those characters from history who disappear into major world events only to be resurrected by an author who stumbles on their story. A new name got added to this list in Emanuel Nobel. Douglas Brunt brings Nobel back to life in his excellent The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel. Also, no, he's not THAT Nobel. That was his uncle. However, Emanuel might be the reason we remember him for the awards in his name rather than the whole "Merchant of Death" stuff.

Brunt's previous book The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel was another book which illuminated an overlooked life. This new work shows Brunt is not going through a sophomore slump. The men are very different in some important ways, but Nobel proves to be a much easier man to both understand and like, in my opinion. Nobel was the nephew of Alfred Nobel, but Brunt shows how it might be more accurate to call the entire Nobel clan "The Family of Death." Various weapons, oil, and other destructive materials were their creations of choice. I don't mean to make them sound like sociopaths, but we do need to be able to call a spade a spade.

Brunt is at his best when taking both complicated science and world events and distilling them to what the reader needs to know to understand the stakes. Brunt is what I call a gateway author. I can hand his books to people who think they hate history, and they might get hooked. Brunt moves this story along without losing the essentials of the people, places, and events. More importantly, he somehow makes the Russian Civil War understandable. I've read much longer books which couldn't accomplish that feat because it is so complex. There is also a sense in Brunt's writing that he is having so much fun putting this narrative together. It is infectious and makes for a fun read even when the topic is not. This is definitely one you should pick up regardless of your interest (or disinterest) in history.

(This book was provided as a review copy by NetGalley and Atria Books.)

[Leadriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE LOST EMPIRE OF EMANUEL NOBEL

RATING: 5/5 ★★★★★

Before reading this book, I only associated the Nobel name with Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize. I had no idea that the Nobel family once built one of the most powerful oil empires in the world. That alone made this story fascinating from the very first chapter.

What I enjoyed most about The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel is that it isn't just a business story. It's a story about ambition, innovation, family legacy, political change, and how quickly fortune can rise and fall. Emanuel Nobel emerges as a visionary leader who helped transform the oil industry during a period when the world itself was rapidly changing.

The book does an excellent job of showing both the excitement and the uncertainty of building something extraordinary. Every success feels significant because the stakes are so high. At the same time, there's a constant reminder that even the strongest empires are vulnerable to forces beyond their control.

What makes the story especially compelling is its historical backdrop. The rise of the Nobel oil empire takes place during a time of technological progress and economic opportunity, while its decline unfolds against political upheaval and revolution. Watching those two forces collide is both fascinating and tragic.

Despite being a historical work, the book never feels distant or dry. The narrative is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the events feel surprisingly relevant to the modern world. It offers insight into leadership and business while remaining, above all, a deeply human story.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel is a remarkable account of vision, ambition, and legacy. It tells the story of people who helped shape an industry and a world that ultimately changed faster than they could control. Informative, engaging, and thought-provoking from beginning to end.

"Some empires are forgotten not because they were small, but because history moved on without them."

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a history nerd, the period around the last tsar, Nicholas II, always attracts me, so I was delighted to have gained access to this ARC (thank you NetGalley and Atria Books). This proved to be an engaging, well written history of a little period and man in Russian history.

Emanuel Nobel (1859-1932), nephew of Alfred Nobel, took over the oil wells found by his Uncle Robert (sent by Emanuel’s father, Ludvig, to southern Russia) and invested in by his father. In Baku and Azerbaijan, these wells were more productive than Rockefeller’s in Pennsylvania. At one time, Emanuel was the richest man in Russia sans Nicholas). As the Russian Revolution came and the Soviets took over, diminutive but vile and evil, Joseph Stalin took an interest in these fields and created havoc among the workers. Novel knew this boded ill for him and others but like many thought the Bolshevik government would collapse. However, he was able to sell his interest and escape to Sweden - where his family was originally from - a very rich man.

Emanuel is portrayed as a decent and honest man in a very corrupt industry as well as a considerate employer in times when employees were not treated well.

The book covers over a hundred years of history - much of it turbulent and fascinating: old empires were dying, modern rulers and capitalist were rising. This book has it all: splendid person of history in a time of incredible change that has probably been forgotten. It’s always good to have history books like this to remain us of our past.

[Soconn5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book from
Douglas Brunt! I didn’t relish it quite as much as The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel, but I loved picking up at roughly the same point in history and learning about another fascinating person whose story has largely been forgotten.

Most people know the Nobel name because of the Nobel Prize, but this book reveals an extraordinary family whose impact stretched far beyond Alfred Nobel. It was a rich, fast-paced tour through Russia, industry, innovation, and the political forces that forever changed history.

The research is simply outstanding. Douglas Brunt has a gift for taking an enormous amount of historical detail and turning it into something that is engaging, approachable, and hard to put down.

What stayed with me most, though, were the echoes of history. As someone watching today’s political landscape, I couldn’t help but see parallels between the rise of socialism in Russia and the increasing influence of democratic socialist ideas in American politics, particularly in light of several recent primary election victories by candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America.

If you enjoy history that reads like a great story rather than a textbook, I highly recommend this one. It shines a light on another remarkable, largely forgotten figure and reminds us that some of history’s most important stories are the ones we rarely hear.

[Tiffany Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

STARS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is my first introduction to Douglas Brunt writing, and it's been some time since I last started reading a historical biography and finished it front to back.

After finishing it, I felt inspired to seek out films and other books that explore this time period, especially to learn more about the past Russian Monarchy. Prior to reading this I had very limited knowledge of Russian History and Government. I very much appreciated this further introduction.

The novel also introduced me to a lesser-known piece of history: the Nobel family, whom I might not have chosen to learn more about on my own. It also taught me more about Stalin, who is often overshadowed by Hitler in discussions of history. I enjoy learning about different historical periods, so I found these additional insights very interesting.

I appreciate the author for deepening my understanding of this historical period and making it enjoyable enough to keep my interest throughout the entire novel. The focus on oil and the petroleum industry could easily have felt dry or uninteresting, but the author wove these topics into the story in a way that made them compelling and informative.

Very much enjoyed and look forward to reading more from Douglas Brunt.

Thank you for this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
All thoughts are entirely my own.

[Sabina Sobinina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading historical non-fictions about ‘titans of industry’ of years past and this one did not disappoint. It was also about someone that I knew nothing of.

What made this book stand out?
- The author did a great job of painting the political climate around the Nobles that helped to explain both the rise and fall of their empire. Despite the very complex and convoluted economic, political, and geopolitical background in this story, the author made it simple to follow and understand. My high school history teachers would be jealous of this man’s exceptional skill to explain a very challenging period of history.
- We learned about Emmanuel Noble’s character through his deeds rather than through gossip or conjecture. It was enough detail to get a sense of him without it feeling like an overhyped fanfic.
- It’s a topic (Russian Revolution) that I knew in very light strokes and enjoyed getting a deeper understanding of. The author remained relatively neutral in describing the origins of Stalin - I would have been a lot more harsh in my descriptors.
- Bonus points for the illumination on the origin of the Noble Peace Prize.

A map would have been handy for this book to be able to follow along all the locations mentioned. The timeline was very handy!

[Jenn Kause · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Libro.fm for this Librarian ALC!

I'm still newer with audiobooks but I really enjoyed learning such a niche topic! I was certainly more interested in the oil aspect of Nobel's life but learned a lot about Russian politics, Nobel as a peace prize of itself, and I think the amount of information from this book is organized really well to the point it's not overwhelming. Despite me being new to audiobooks, I retained a lot of really cool talking points and fun facts that I've been able to share with my family (granted my dad is a Russian studies major so he knew a bit too); but I think if anyone is particularly interested in Russian politics and the Nobel family, this is a fantastic book.

This book does not linger too much on the interest of the Romanovs; there are sure to be countless of books divulging in that sector, and I found that to honestly be the least of anything groundbreaking or new-- but ultimately the relationship of Nobel to the royal family while also maintaining good working ethics with his employees was an interesting key factor into his success and escape from the Bolsheviks.

[Anagha Paranjape-Purohit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most interesting and deep diving history books that I have read in recent times. The life and work of Emmanuel Nobel is not just inspiring but laden with adventure and at the same time, gives a great insight into how a single man can work towards a larger goal while choosing to remain out of limelight. The rewriting of history by the Communist regime of Russia has truly erased this name that needs to be celebrated in today’s world. And despite this, Emanuel Nobel worked steadfastly to promote his uncles name - Alfred Nobel, choosing to remain behind the scene despite his own efforts that have made the Nobel Prize the most coveted prize in the world today. The book took me back in time and the characters literally came off the pages around me. Marvellously written with loads of anecdotes and notes that made even reading the footnotes very interesting. I didn’t want this book to end, almost hoped for a change in the story of Nobel fully aware that this was not a fiction book.

[Ryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

He was a Swedish giant in Russian oil whose business rivaled those of the Rockefellers and the Rothschilds. Embraced by Tsar Alexander III, only to later become a target of Joseph Stalin, Emanuel Nobel is a lesser known figure amongst the titans of his time.

Douglas Brunt takes readers from Imperialist Russia through to the Bolshevik Revolution, showing how the Nobel family transformed the petroleum industry into a global empire. What I really enjoyed about Brunt’s books on both Rudolph Diesel and now Nobel, is his ability to make complex material accessible and reader friendly. I don’t think I could enjoy a book about petroleum otherwise.

One last thing, I loved the obscure history sprinkled throughout the book. One story in particular involved Lenin’s chef, Spiridon Putin. He would occasionally cook for him and Stalin, recounting the time he prepared a meal for Rasputin. This chef would be the grandfather to Vladimir Putin.

This was another great read from Brunt and I look forward to whatever subject he tackles next. A huge Thank You to Atria Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I feel as though I have learned a lot about the Nobel family. I love reading history books, and I'm fascinated by Russian history. Yet despite all I've read about the topic this book pleasantly surprised me with new insights of that era. Before I read this book I knew very little about the Nobel family, other than Alfred Nobel and his connection to the Nobel Prize; now I've learned so much about how Emanuel Nobel and business intertwined with politics, other oil competitors, the rise of socialism, and Stalin. I loved the story telling and pacing of the book. To me, there was no part that was uninteresting. The people were described wonderfully and were easy to keep up with. I definitely recommend this book to someone who loves history - Emanuel Nobel is definitely someone worth reading about.

[Reading in the Clouds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, with learning to boot - so many a-ha moments!

Overlapping the history of the early XX century - how did a Swede and his family manage to build an empire over the oil region of Caucasus, where the capital Baku became an oil mecca... a human empire, in a region best known for its extensive violence and brutality - over the abdication and overthrow of the Tsars, the civil war that ensued, the Great War overlapping?

Yet it is history, and the Nobel prize established in 1895 is still alive today - even as we take a minute to consider that the nominated historical figures for the peace prize include Stalin (twice), Mussolini (also twice) and Hitler. True, a nomination is not a Nobel Prize.

Anyway, a good read, an interesting research, well written and well performed (audiobook).

[✨ Sharayah ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely dumbfounded. What an insane period in history! The author did an incredible job weaving together the life of the Nobels, Russian history, global economics, and World War 1 - he presented so succinctly critical moments in history that explained so many "why's". Not only was the "erased" story of the Nobels intriguing, I also greatly appreciated a fuller picture of a complex and tumultuous time in history.

My scoring system:
- 5 stars: I will tell others about the book whether they want to hear it or not.
- 4 stars: Fantastic read, and I wouldn't hesitate to read the book again.
- 3 stars: Enjoyed the book throughly, but once is good for me.
- 2 stars: I probably wasted my time reading the book and wouldn't ever read it again.
- 1 star: If I've given this rating, then please perform an intervention.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an advanced copy through NetGalley.

A great book that combines a great story with world history. I enjoyed the profile of the Nobel family (which I admit I knew little about) but how it intersected with one of the consequential historical times of the early 20th century (the Russian Revolution). The intersection of Nobel and Stalin was a great sub-plot in this book.

In the early chapters I had some difficulty following the names and relationships but the author does a great job tying things together.

The lasting point for me on this story is that Stalin was anti-Russian in his upbringing only to turn and be the heavy handed dictator through the Soviet Union. Just shows you how much we as humans crave power.

[Luke Drope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was masterfully written, not only did Douglas Brunt teach me a lot about the Nobel legacy, but he also created a book that I never wanted to put down. Instead of the book just focusing on the Nobels, it also brought in many other historical figures who were connected to the Nobels which gave the story even more depth. Finally the synergy between the author's first book, the mysterious case of Rudolph Diesel, and this book was amazing and it really added another layer to the story. I figured that since the Nobels and Rudolph Diesel were connected, the book we be repetitive at parts, but Douglas Brunt wrote so well that he avoided that. Overall an amazing book that I believe everyone should try to read

[Gavin Mattiace · Rating 5 out of 5]

If history was a soap opera, the Romanovs could play a titular role. If it was a movie about wars between rival businesses in the backdrop of politics, the Nobels take the prize. This book genuinely felt like it was setting up a parallel struggle between Nobel and Stalin throughout, and to culminate in the descriptions of the Russian Revolution and civil war gave the history depth and character. This is a part of history that most people ignore, with the magnitude of events like the Great War and the fall of the Romanovs. So many have forgotten that in order to take control of their empire, the Soviets first had to replace, remove, or destroy the empires that existed. Brunt gives us the in-depth backstory of one of the most important of those empires.

[Joan Blendowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! While it was not a "light easy breezy" read it was chock full of amazing history and details. It was put together very well and easy to follow despite the amount of information Brunt was giving to us. I loved moving through the centuries and the development of the Nobel family, and really how their impact shaped the world we live in today! This is my first time reading work by D. Brunt but I would not hesitate to read more. I have already recommended this book to my son (when published) who's a complete history buff too! If you love history, drama, suspense... this book is for you!