Anastasia: The Life of Anna Anderson

by Peter Kurth

On 17 February, 1920, a young woman was rescued from a Berlin canal and taken to a local asylum. Her body bore the scars of bullet and bayonet wounds. For a long time she refused to give her name, and was known as Fraulein Unbekannt (Miss Unknown). When she did declare herself — as the Grand Duchess Anastasia, youngest daughter of the murdered Romanovs — she became the centre of a storm of controversy that still continues after her death in 1983. Peter Kurth’s brilliant and meticulously researched account shows that the evidence that Anna Anderson was Anastasia is in the end overwhelming. Nevertheless the extraordinary secrecy which still shrouds some of the key evidence suggests that, as her uncle the Grand Duke of Hesse wrote, an investigation of her identity could be ‘dangerous’. ‘Anastasia’ is a fascinating study of one of the world’s greatest mysteries. ‘A wholly gripping book at the end of which it is hard to believe that the Grand Duchess’s identity has not been proved’¬ – The Times ‘It is, literally, an incredible story, but Peter Kurth makes it utterly convincing...a compellingly readable book’ – Irish Times ‘One of the most intriguing mysteries of the twentieth century. Peter Kurth’s is the first serious attempt to unravel it’ – Sunday Telegraph Peter Kurth has been a journalist and author for forty years, specialising in biography and Soviet history. He has written for publications such as Vanity Fair, The New York Times Book Review and Harper’s Hazaar, and has contributed to Salon.com. His books include A Sensational Life and The Lost World of Nicholas and Alexandra.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Memoir, Russia

513 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2015

About the author

PETER KURTH is the author of "Anastasia: The Riddle of Anna Anderson," "American Cassandra: The Life of Dorothy Thompson," "Tsar: The Lost World of Nicholas and Alexandra," and "Isadora: A Sensational Life," and co-author (with Eleanor Lanahan) of "Zelda: An Intimate Portrait." His work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes FYI, The New York Times Book Review, The New York Observer, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, and Salon.com.

Peter Kurth lives in Vermont.

Reviews

[Kathleen Celata · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tedious

We do now know that Anna A was beyond a doubt NOT Anastasia but I read the book interested in her story. The book is very confusing, too many names scattered here and there, I was constantly bouncing back and forth from Wikipedia. But more so, it's inconceivable to me that people supported this shrewish, unbalanced woman for decades. She seems to have had a hateful personality, was a complete ingrate and a whining, cringing bore, besides. I struggled through, but reading the book was a thankless task of repetition, confusion and very little illuminating information.

[Jrivasmd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating at times, maddeningly slow at others, this book is quite convincing that Anna might indeed be Anastasia. Most convincing to me are the recollections of Anna concerning the time when her family was imprisoned. The book contained far too many names, lots of unnecessary data, and I struggled to finish the last quarter. Nonetheless, I finished it and definitely enjoyed parts.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting tale, though it has been told before. Many want to believe that Anastasia was not killed along with the rest of her family, but later DNA evidence proves the whole Romanov family was indeed killed. There is a question whether the DNA of her sister Maria is that of Anastasia instead, but all of the bodies are accounted for. Anastasia and her brother were cremated when the Soviet Union dissolved, their bodies were not buried with their parents and their other sisters.

The book was repetitive and rather dragged out. There were several trials in Germany used to prove if Anna Anderson was who she claimed to be, but they are all very similar. The main character is usually sick or throwing a temper tantrum. For a better version, The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry is more enjoyable.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Longer than necessary, with too many confusing details at times. But an interesting read. This edition does not include the discovery of Romanov remains or any DNA testing.

[Debbie Rust · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book, covering decades of history. It was well researched and about a troubled period of time, crossing many countries. One woman’s desire to prove who she is, when there is no evidence but her beliefs and the belief and trust of her supporters.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing what we know about the DNA evidence proving that the entire imperial family perished the night of their massacre, this book raises more questions than it answers. We now know that Anna Anderson was not Anastasia, miraculously escaped, and further evidence indicates that she was, in fact, the Polish worker that early investigations alleged was the "imposter."

History is unkind to imposters, even if perhaps they never intended to pose as someone else. This story is one of someone undoubtedly mentally ill--someone who was so damaged she either could not maintain her own identity or whose history was so terrible that she chose, consciously or unconsciously, to take on another identity. This identity may have come to her while reading popular media. It might have been impressed upon her. Or, both may have occurred at the same time, and imaginative, overly hopeful, or manipulative folk may have helped weave the story that made her, and everyone else, believe that she was Grand Duchess Anastasia.

The reactions of others to Anna Anderson are the most curious in this biography of confusion. First are those in her favor of being Anastasia. Their hope overwhelms even visual evidence and perhaps even good sense. Then are those opposed, whose attitude is even more curious--the adamant and hostile denouncement of this mentally ill woman reaches almost ridiculous levels--as if vociferousness ever encouraged anyone to believe something one way or another.

Behind the scenes is a tableau of royal family politics that is equally intriguing. The early events in this story happen at a time when royalty is at its most vulnerable, and the conflicts and loyalties at play emphasize how nervous they are about the future of their dynasty and its privileges. Could it have been that, even if Anna Anderson had been Anastasia, that they would have rejected her anyway?

What was the real story behind this woman's past? Was she injured in a grenade explosion as was supposed by someone who was said to know her? Did she really have a child and spend time in Romania? How much of her supposed regal bearing, knowledge of languages, and information about intimate family details was real and how much was the optimism who wanted her to be Anastasia?

Finally, what was Kurth's reaction to learning that Anna Anderson was not who he, after collecting evidence and interviewing her in person, believed her to be?

[Marian Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating life she lead. I loved this book and recommend it

[Lauryn hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and researched to a point, but...

Really man? You're going to end the book at her death?
Since then DNA has showed Anna Andersen was in fact a fraud. I kept reading, thinking it would be addressed at the end, and the book was purposefully wrote in this way to create a sense of betrayal or somethin...but nope.
I honestly found that disrespectful and a bit cruel.
Yes this woman was clearly very mentally ill, but there is also a high level of calculation went into planning this scam.
This woman harassed the Romanov family for decades, imagine the cruelty of lying to their faces that she was their brutally murdered niece. They already lost their country, countless family members, money...everything they knew.
Then they had to deal with this sort of cruelty. It's unimaginable! Especially as this fraud possibly looked similar and clearly done her homework.
Imagine the hope when some like Olga first met her, thought perhaps they haven't lost everything. Only to feel humiliated and cruelly tricked when she realised this didn't make sense.
Author needs to add to the afterword exposing the fraud

[jane king · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting in parts, slow in others. The author undoubtedly did a lot of research but it was confusing at times trying to keep track of all the different Royal relations, who was brother/sister/uncle/aunt to whom. 'Anastasia ' came across as thoroughly unlikeable, selfish and ungrateful. Even though doctors had declared that she was sane she certainly acted at times as mentally unstable especially in her later years. One point that occurred to me over and over whilst reading this book - why did no-one try to find 'Anastasia's' child? In the end I was left feeling that there must be more to this story than this.

[Kaydon_the_dino · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so BORING. I only made it to the end because I read it on my kindle and couldn’t tell if I was nearly done or not. Even if we didn’t know definitively that Anna Anderson was not Anastasia this book wouldn’t win any hearts or minds. All the interesting bits (like her tendencies to start petty drama or hoard cats) is barely addressed but the author firmly believes the reader needs to know what everyone ate for lunch on September 14, 1949 and the most tedious court transcripts you’ve ever read in your life. I pity Ms Anderson for having such a crap biographer (I also feel sorry for all those cats).

[Mini Marce]

I read the older edition - you could tell it was a real labor of love for the author.
I know this book is controversial for so many. But after being lent it by a friend I found it a very interesting read.
How could “Anna Anderson” have known all that she did without truly being Anastasia?
Something doesn’t add up somewhere especially with all the people that got involved.
DNA Testing has proven since this book was published that she was not Princess Anastasia & that Anastasia’s remains were later found. But yet I’m intrigued by all the accounts surrounding this woman & what a stir it caused for all those years…

[Marilyn McKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

What to say about Anastasia? A very interesting person, although I cannot say I liked her. I am still intrigued as to who she really was. I wondered, after reading this book, if she was a servant, which would explain a lot of her intimate knowledge of the family. This book is well written but long winded, I tended to skip a lot of the trial blurb, as it seemed quite repetitive and knowing she definitely wasn't Anastasia, it seemed irrelevant, although at the time of writing DNA testing was yet to be. Why to was she? Sadly, we'll never know.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very convincing

I really had no idea that it could be possible that she survived. This was a very convincing, detailed book which gave extensive proof that Anastasia probably did survive. Although I understand why the book was so long, to include every scrap of proof, I found it too lengthy. Also, I had trouble with the family tree since everyone seemed to have the same names and titles. I do love true historical books and this one definitely opened my mind to an alternate history that I did not know existed.

[kerry freemantle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book

What a great read. You have to admire the thorough research, time and hard work that was done for this book. So informative and a story which could be mistaken as fictional.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed at the lack of photographs & documentary evidence to support this biography, it was almost as though the author had merely written down others memoirs, but still an intriguing book.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story written in the view that Anna Anderson was Anastasia. Things have been discovered since to prove otherwise. Well written though does have a few hard words in it. Got stuck a few times as my time is not always my own

[Tammy Fink · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anastasia: slow read

So many characters to follow; book did not need to be so long. If you take out the redundancy it would be less confusing. Chronological statement of facts instead of dates jumping back and forth.

[Connie Pinzl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a puzzle.

Interesting read. Not sure why people couldn’t believe in her. Didn’t know how crazy her behavior could be. Was worth the time to read!

[Kevin Mannix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this years ago. A fascinating account of the quest of Anna Anderson to prove she was the youngest daughter of Tzar Nicholas II.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling reading

I've read this book several times and still enjoy it every time. Anna Anderson's mystery continues even all these years after her death.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book many many years ago. It was extremely interesting and convincing. Shocking dna test results.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book sometime at the end of the 1980s long before the fall of the Soviet Union and long before Anna Anderson was revealed to be a fraud. At the time Mr. Kurth's attempts to convince us that she was the genuine Anastasia by, for example, trying to convince us that The Empress's brother the Grand Duke of Hess had traveled to Russia in an attempt to make a separate peace treaty, always struck me as absurd. Although he likes to contend that all sorts of documents and reports are hidden away by the Hess and Danish royal families the entire contents of the German foreign office as well as army HQ files, etc. fell into allied hands after WWII and not a scintilla of documentation to support this phantom visit has ever surfaced. The idea that the leaky Tsarist court would have held such a secret is impossible in the face of how everything else leaked out. Nor would the Kaiser have launched such a mission without the knowledge of Hindenburg and Ludendorff - he was a cipher initiating nothing and simply signing papers put in front of him. Besides all the documentation that does exist shows that the Kaiser had a very bad relationship with the Grand Duke of Hess - including making rather unattractive and gloating remarks about the duke's two sisters deaths at the hands of the Bolsheviks.

But the problem with 'lost' claimants to lost or non-existent thrones (and this goes for all the various 'lost' dauphins and princes from the tower etc.) is that no matter how convincing an escape story they come up with, no matter how immense their powers of recall for old family retainers and details of palace rooms etc. they can never adequately explain why, having successfully escaped from the jaws of death they chose to disappear for sufficiently years so as to make an immediate recognition impossible. After all when 'Anastasia' was 'rescued' there was a White army two days away from capturing Ekaterinburg - she and her rescuer had to pass through vest stretches of the Russian Empire avoiding armies - as well as a whole host of Romanovs (including her grandmother and two aunts and various remnants of the court and Tsarist functionaries in southern Russia - and then proceed on across central Europe (ignoring her relatives in Romania) before revealing herself eventually in Berlin. This problem of delayed revelation of the rescue also crops up with the rescued dauphins and princes in the tower. There is no logical reason to save a grand duchess from the Bolsheviks (or a dauphin from the Temple prison or a Prince from the Tower of London) and then conceal this valuable property for years and years. It is not being simple minded to suggest that the first thing you do after rescuing a royal is to go immediately to those who should/would be happy to see them saved and say look what I've got! Females who have no claim to a crown are especially valuable as they can still confer legitimacy as well as attract sympathy. There was no reason for 'Anastasia' or her 'rescuers' not to have gone to the White armies and there is no good explanation why they did not (the same applies to rescued dauphins etc.).

Pretenders claiming to be lost royal children then go on to make a career out of being 'recognized' by people who didn't know them when they were alive and royal. The number of credulous people who support dubious grand duchesses is surprisingly large. But there is not a shred of real evidence that Anna Anderson was who she claimed to be, and this book provided none. Of course later DNA evidence would show that Anastasia died with her family and that Anna Anderson was an insane polish peasant who, like many frauds, was remarkably good at deception.

Mr. Kurth's book was unconvincing when originally published so I honestly can't imagine why anyone would read let alone pay for an update of this drivel.

[j. Diane Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderful to read a book on Anastasia that is complete.

At the end of the book I felt overwhelmed with sadness for Princess Anastasia. To survive, we do not know what, have a child, a sham marriage, etc. - At twenty, attempt to take her life, and find that after five years aft e r her supposed death, her royal relatives had already decided the line of Royal heredity - and it did not have room for a surviving Princess!! It see m s her life must have been full of tortuous thoughts and memories interspersed with moments of happiness. How wonderful she had a devoted husband the last fifteen years of her life.

[Carol Tilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

More footnotes than pages.

The amount of research the author noted in this book is incredible! There were over 1400 footnotes. At first I was amazed at how detailed the author was. However, at times, it became a bit tedious. I want to believe this is the true story of the beloved Anastasia. The life of this woman was very sad and complicated. If you are looking for a quick and easy read, look elsewhere. Yes, I am glad I read the book, however it may be too much for many readers. I will let you come to your own conclusions. Just be sure you have patience and tenacity to complete it. Good work Mr Kurth.

[savannah rottler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly, enjoined this book, I still wonder why they didn't believe her. I thought it was proven beyond a doubt she was ., the dutchess Anna the czars daughter

daughter of czar nicholas.. the greed from the family was atrocious.: How she never became a vengeful woman, made me admire her that much more May she now RIP.

[George]

.99 Kindle/BookBub

[Trappercat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother

Really disliked this book. The enormous number of footnotes, the yes and no's, the back & forths, it was almost unreadable.

[Vaun Healey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing

This book was very well researched but I found it very boring. There is no real story to it. Where did the title come from?

[Lady of the Lake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmmmm..... 2.5 stars...rounding up... something you will need to read for yourself and make your own call...

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story.