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We, The Romanovs
Grand Duke Sandro Mikhailovich lazing in the grass with Nicky Romanov in May 1883 … Within twenty-five years, the Romanovs, the most powerful, the most vicious and arguably the most bizarre imperial family of modern times will have ceased to rule Russia through a mixture of haplessness, indolence and fatalism. Sandro was a crucial witness to the collapse of his family. He was the cousin, brother-in-law and close friend of the last tsar, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. He was with Nicky when thousands of Russian peasants died at Khodynka Field during Nicky’s coronation; he was with Nicky in the lead-up to the disastrous Russo-Japanese War; he was with Nicky during the failed revolution of 1905-6; he was with Nicky when the Russian Duma was established in an attempt to ward off future revolutions; he was with Nicky as Russia moved determinedly toward a military showdown with Germany; he was with Nicky fighting the German army of the Eastern Front during the First World War; he was with Nicky when he abdicated in favour of his brother, Michael, who refused the throne. This is a riveting first-hand account of the final days of the Russian Empire and of what it was like to be a member of the Russian Imperial Family at that time. And to our great good fortune, while Sandro may have been no Stolypin, he was a keen observer and an excellent writer. Anyone intrigued by the last days of the Romanovs as the ruling family of Russia should read this book.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2016
152 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Mikhailovich
16 books6 followersGrand Duke Alexander Mihailovich of Russia was a naval officer, an author, explorer, the brother-in-law and advisor of Emperor Nicholas II.
Alexander played a major role in the creation of Russian military aviation. He was the initiator of the officer's aviation school near Sevastopol in 1910 and later the chief of the Imperial Russian Air Service during the First World War.
In 1917 he went into exile and wrote his memoirs and became fascinated with archaeology and conducted a number of expeditions.
Alexander played a major role in the creation of Russian military aviation. He was the initiator of the officer's aviation school near Sevastopol in 1910 and later the chief of the Imperial Russian Air Service during the First World War.
In 1917 he went into exile and wrote his memoirs and became fascinated with archaeology and conducted a number of expeditions.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 20, 2021
Um relato fascinante sobre os últimos anos dos Romanov e sobre uma boa parte da história Russa, contado na primeira pessoa pelo Grão-Duque Aleksandr Mikhailovich.
Aleksandr era membro da poderosa família, primo, cunhado, conselheiro, amigo íntimo e muito próximo do Czar Nikolai II.
É fascinante lermos a história contada de perto por quem estava mesmo lá e viveu no seio dos acontecimentos. Está muito bem escrito, uma perspectiva realista e honesta de quem estava dentro de tudo.
É um retrato muito fidedigno da família Romanov, a educação inflexível, a atmosfera de militarismo, a disciplina muito rígida e os deveres sempre muito exigentes.
Uma família enorme, com muitos interesses, muitas opiniões, muitas pressões, muitas influências, que dificultavam em muito a vida do Czar. Mas também sobre os erros cometidos e sobre a tragédia que envolveu a família.
É um livro cheio de verdade, sem floreados e carregado de factos históricos.
Não é um livro de leitura voraz, embora seja de leitura fácil e linguagem acessível. É antes um livro muito rico em informação histórica que requer algum tempo e disponibilidade para assimilar.
Muito interessante e a não perder mesmo, principalmente por quem se interessa por história e pelos Romanov claro. 😊
Aleksandr era membro da poderosa família, primo, cunhado, conselheiro, amigo íntimo e muito próximo do Czar Nikolai II.
É fascinante lermos a história contada de perto por quem estava mesmo lá e viveu no seio dos acontecimentos. Está muito bem escrito, uma perspectiva realista e honesta de quem estava dentro de tudo.
É um retrato muito fidedigno da família Romanov, a educação inflexível, a atmosfera de militarismo, a disciplina muito rígida e os deveres sempre muito exigentes.
Uma família enorme, com muitos interesses, muitas opiniões, muitas pressões, muitas influências, que dificultavam em muito a vida do Czar. Mas também sobre os erros cometidos e sobre a tragédia que envolveu a família.
É um livro cheio de verdade, sem floreados e carregado de factos históricos.
Não é um livro de leitura voraz, embora seja de leitura fácil e linguagem acessível. É antes um livro muito rico em informação histórica que requer algum tempo e disponibilidade para assimilar.
Muito interessante e a não perder mesmo, principalmente por quem se interessa por história e pelos Romanov claro. 😊
July 17, 2018
I had a very difficult time with this book, partially because I knew the outcome & also because there was so very much about the story that was simply emotionally draining. When I was very young we had a photography book in our home entitled (I think if I remember correctly) The Romanovs picturing all of the rulers from the beginning and their palaces. I was enthralled! Since that time I became obsessed with Nicholas II, his family, but more especially The Tsaravich Alexei. The entire epoch breaks my heart.
What was revealed here made matters all the worse. This entire episode in history could have been avoided. EVERYONE was to blame! Even as far back as Alexander III who failed to prepare his boy for the throne because Nicky was actually the 2nd son & wasn’t supposed to be the one. A fact that his parents made abundantly clear. He was shy, soft spoken, & trembled at every word of his Uncles who I believe ran roughshod over him. Nicky was also to blame for not standing up & grabbing the mantle of leadership. I was struck by his reaction to his fathers death. It was almost identical to the reaction of his cousin King George VI upon Edwards abdication. This was an absolute train wreck & he would never admit to the clear signs when all could have been avoided & we wouldn’t have had 70+ years of the infernal Bolsheviks.
Add to this the insipid British & money grubbing French. Their actions are beyond forgiveness! It most certainly explains why Putin does what he does concerning Ukraine, Georgia, Turkmenistan, etc. I do not agree with the authors assessment of Poland, Estonia, et al being non existent countries created by the allies, but the intentional allied agreement to simply let the Bolsheviks murder the Imperial family & then proceed for years to come to do the same to everyone else is beyond the pale. Britain, France, Italy, Japan, & the US apparently simply agreed to attempt to divide the spoils of a fallen Russia therein fueling Trotskys argument that they wanted to starve the people (yes, it was the old socialist bait & hook but still …). Furthermore, it’s evident that Germany sewed the seeds of revolution within the capital in an attempt to defeat Russia during WWI. Funny how the “great victor of the Marne” wasn’t Joffre, but General Samsanov. With those who fought out of the way, I guess the Brits & French were able to rewrite history. This was all a bunch of deceit & betrayal. It would seem that this was the 1st time that Winston Churchill was correct in his predictions.
Very good book!
Very well written!
An essential viewpoint!
Highly recommend!
I hope you can get through it quicker than I did.
What was revealed here made matters all the worse. This entire episode in history could have been avoided. EVERYONE was to blame! Even as far back as Alexander III who failed to prepare his boy for the throne because Nicky was actually the 2nd son & wasn’t supposed to be the one. A fact that his parents made abundantly clear. He was shy, soft spoken, & trembled at every word of his Uncles who I believe ran roughshod over him. Nicky was also to blame for not standing up & grabbing the mantle of leadership. I was struck by his reaction to his fathers death. It was almost identical to the reaction of his cousin King George VI upon Edwards abdication. This was an absolute train wreck & he would never admit to the clear signs when all could have been avoided & we wouldn’t have had 70+ years of the infernal Bolsheviks.
Add to this the insipid British & money grubbing French. Their actions are beyond forgiveness! It most certainly explains why Putin does what he does concerning Ukraine, Georgia, Turkmenistan, etc. I do not agree with the authors assessment of Poland, Estonia, et al being non existent countries created by the allies, but the intentional allied agreement to simply let the Bolsheviks murder the Imperial family & then proceed for years to come to do the same to everyone else is beyond the pale. Britain, France, Italy, Japan, & the US apparently simply agreed to attempt to divide the spoils of a fallen Russia therein fueling Trotskys argument that they wanted to starve the people (yes, it was the old socialist bait & hook but still …). Furthermore, it’s evident that Germany sewed the seeds of revolution within the capital in an attempt to defeat Russia during WWI. Funny how the “great victor of the Marne” wasn’t Joffre, but General Samsanov. With those who fought out of the way, I guess the Brits & French were able to rewrite history. This was all a bunch of deceit & betrayal. It would seem that this was the 1st time that Winston Churchill was correct in his predictions.
Very good book!
Very well written!
An essential viewpoint!
Highly recommend!
I hope you can get through it quicker than I did.
February 23, 2019
Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich was the second cousin of Nicholas II. He also became the Tsar’s brother in law when he married the Tatar’s sister, in what was a real love match. He rode out the Russian Revolution and lived to tell the story of being at the right hand of the “supreme autocrat” through the most appalling period of Russian history.
Alexander was not raised in St Petersburg, but rather in south eastern Russia, since his father was Viceroy of the Caususes in that region. He had a decidedly different outlook on many things because he didn’t grow up in the capital - a notoriously incestuous center of gossip, intrigue, and complaining.
Although one has to be careful to keep in mind that memoirs are inherently self serving, much of what Alexander writes has the ring of truth. His primary point - that Russian intellectuals, aristocracy, political leaders, journalists, and other hacks could leverage the discontent of the people and the disgusting thirst for anarchy of the bolsheviks to make life better for themselves by overthrowing the Romanovs - has all the hallmarks of truth of this country that always seems to make the wrong choice.
Further, this idea that somehow the political and social leadership of the country “the establishment” could “manage” the crazies has been proven again and again to be the quickest route to their own demise. The liberal leaders thought they could use the Bolsheviks as their pawns to grab control of the country from the Tsars. They were all dead within 3 years and the bolsheviks were in power for 70 years. The German “establishment” made the same error with hitler and the Nazis, and the American republicans made the same miscalculation with the tea party and then more profoundly with trump.
Anyone who says history doesn’t repeat itself, is fooling themselves.
Alexander was not raised in St Petersburg, but rather in south eastern Russia, since his father was Viceroy of the Caususes in that region. He had a decidedly different outlook on many things because he didn’t grow up in the capital - a notoriously incestuous center of gossip, intrigue, and complaining.
Although one has to be careful to keep in mind that memoirs are inherently self serving, much of what Alexander writes has the ring of truth. His primary point - that Russian intellectuals, aristocracy, political leaders, journalists, and other hacks could leverage the discontent of the people and the disgusting thirst for anarchy of the bolsheviks to make life better for themselves by overthrowing the Romanovs - has all the hallmarks of truth of this country that always seems to make the wrong choice.
Further, this idea that somehow the political and social leadership of the country “the establishment” could “manage” the crazies has been proven again and again to be the quickest route to their own demise. The liberal leaders thought they could use the Bolsheviks as their pawns to grab control of the country from the Tsars. They were all dead within 3 years and the bolsheviks were in power for 70 years. The German “establishment” made the same error with hitler and the Nazis, and the American republicans made the same miscalculation with the tea party and then more profoundly with trump.
Anyone who says history doesn’t repeat itself, is fooling themselves.
August 30, 2021
"Nós, os Romanov" (título original: Once a Grand Duke" conta-nos a história de vida do Grão-Duque Aleksandr Mikhailovich, membro da família imperial russa Romanov, após se ter casado com Xenia Alexandrovna da Rússia, irmã de Nicolau Alexandrovich Románov, futuro Nicolau II e último Czar da Rússia. Este livro foi finalizado pelo autor em 1931, decorridos 13 anos sobre a execução da Família Romanov nas proximidades da Casa Ipatief em Ekaterimburgo. Este é um livro que nos transporta através das últimas décadas da Rússia Imperial e que mostra como as decisões que foram sendo tomadas após a morte de Alexandre III durante o reinado de Nicolau II levaram a Rússia a uma revolução e ao completo aniquilamento da Família Romanov, não tendo o último Czar deixado descendentes.
Antes de mais e ao iniciar a leitura deste livro, é necessário ter presente que se trata do livro de memórias de um Grão-Duque e não se focaliza somente na Família Romanov e nos seus últimos, como acontece com outros livros de ficção e de não-ficção (dentro deste tema e em ficção, sugiro a leitura do livro "The Kitchen Boy", de Robert Alexander e que retrata os últimos dias dos Romanov na Casa Epatief e que teoriza sobre o que teria sido se tivesse havido sobreviventes da execução da Família Imperial). Logo, haverá a descrição de acontecimentos, de pessoas e de locais que não apenas aqueles em que se movimentava Nicolau II e a sua família mais directa. Essencialmente, este é o livro de memórias de um homem que sempre acreditou que haveria um futuro melhor para a sua Rússia e que os seus netos poderiam viver num mundo melhor do que aquele em que ele viveu parte da sua vida adulta nos últimos dias do Império.
Na primeira parte da leitura deste livro, essencialmente até aos capítulos cinco/seis, senti alguma dificuldade em entrar na leitura e o livro parecia estar a seguir por um rumo que não me estava a cativar e, por momentos, pensei em colocar a sua leitura em stand by mas em boa hora não o fiz. Valeu a pena continuar a leitura e começar a conhecer um outro Grão-Duque, com vivências adquiridos em torno do mundo fruto da sua ligação à Marinha. Achei particularmente interessantes todas as suas descrições das viagens que fez enquanto oficial da Marinha, mas em que claramente sentia que não podia fazer tudo aquilo que podia por ser um elemento da Família Imperial e que acontecer-lhe algo poderia ter grandes repercussões em São Petersburgo. O capítulo sete, "Um grão-duque por sua conta", relata a vida de marinheiro de Aleksandr Mikhailovich, com as suas passagens por locais como o Brasil, África do Sul, Xangai ou Japão, país onde ele decidiu seguir os hábitos de outros oficiais russos e "casar" com uma jovem da aldeia de Inassa onde ele era chamado de "Samurai", fruto da sua posição da Família Imperial Russa.
Os capítulos seguintes descrevem os acontecimentos após a morte de Alexandre III e a forma como Nicolau conduziu o seu reinado e que ficou, desde cedo, marcado da pior forma como aconteceu com a tragédia de Khodynka, um banquete comemorativo celebrado por ocasião da sua coroação mas que terminou cerca de 1500 mortos e milhares de feridos, fruto de um rumor que se espalhou e de uma multidão descontente que não se conseguiu parar através da força policial. Como curiosidade, o reinado de Nicolau II ficou igualmente marcado por vários pogroms entre 1903 e 1906 (perseguição deliberada aprovado pelas autoridades) como resultado da propaganda antissemita que foi publicada pela administração de Nicolau II. Esta parte do livro, a partir do capítulo 7, conseguiu prender-me ao relato das memórias deste Grão-Duque e terminei o livro a gostar bastante. Este é um livro que mostra, acima de tudo, que houve sinais de que o tempo dos Czares estaria para terminar mas que não foram encarados pelo núcleo duro da família da melhor forma. Ressalvo que este pode ser um livro algo complexo para quem nunca tiver lido sobre o tema, por isso sugiro que se possam fazer outras leituras sobre este período histórico e sobre os Romanov antes de apostar na leitura das memórias de Aleksandr Mikhailovich. É um livro que nos faz um retrato não apenas da Rússia mas de toda a Europa pré-Primeira Guerra Mundial. Aleksandr chega mesmo a referir sobre este conflito: “Todos tinham razão. Ninguém estava errado. Naquele dia, não teria sido possível contrair um único homem lúcido nos países que de estendiam entre o golfo da Biscaia e o oceano Pacífico. No meu regresso à Rússia, pude presenciar o suicídio de um continente!” (pág. 290). São estas memórias que nos podem ajudar a compreender as dinâmicas familiares (afinal, todas as grandes famílias europeias estavam profundamente ligadas, Nicolau II era primo-irmão de Jorge V, Rei de Inglaterra), os laços de poder e os hábitos culturais de países europeus e que contribuíram, de alguma forma, para a Europa que temos nos dias de hoje.
Aleksandr Mikhailovich termina o seu livro de memórias escrevendo: "Não faria sentido eu escrever este livro se a sua lição moral não tivesse valor para pelo menos alguns dos seus leitores. Para mim, é uma lição cheia de significado e abundante em avisos. Volto a pensar nos companheiros da minha juventude, tentando visualizá-los não como eram nos últimos dias da tragédia, mas como os conheci nos dias mais brilhantes das nossas vidas. Nos meus sonhos, vejo muitas vezes Nicky, Georgie, Sergei e eu, deitados na erva alta e húmida do parque imperial perto de Moscovo, a conversar preguiçosa e alegremente sobre esse futuro misterioso e incrivelmente belo que tem o hábito de acender as suas fogueiras de sinalização no horizonte. Um pouco de paciência - e havemos de o alcançar, todos nós" (pág. 380).
Um livro que li para o projecto "Ler é respeitar a história" e que foi o livro do mês de Julho do Clube Leituras Descomplicadas, no tema "O fim dos czares da Rússia".
Antes de mais e ao iniciar a leitura deste livro, é necessário ter presente que se trata do livro de memórias de um Grão-Duque e não se focaliza somente na Família Romanov e nos seus últimos, como acontece com outros livros de ficção e de não-ficção (dentro deste tema e em ficção, sugiro a leitura do livro "The Kitchen Boy", de Robert Alexander e que retrata os últimos dias dos Romanov na Casa Epatief e que teoriza sobre o que teria sido se tivesse havido sobreviventes da execução da Família Imperial). Logo, haverá a descrição de acontecimentos, de pessoas e de locais que não apenas aqueles em que se movimentava Nicolau II e a sua família mais directa. Essencialmente, este é o livro de memórias de um homem que sempre acreditou que haveria um futuro melhor para a sua Rússia e que os seus netos poderiam viver num mundo melhor do que aquele em que ele viveu parte da sua vida adulta nos últimos dias do Império.
Na primeira parte da leitura deste livro, essencialmente até aos capítulos cinco/seis, senti alguma dificuldade em entrar na leitura e o livro parecia estar a seguir por um rumo que não me estava a cativar e, por momentos, pensei em colocar a sua leitura em stand by mas em boa hora não o fiz. Valeu a pena continuar a leitura e começar a conhecer um outro Grão-Duque, com vivências adquiridos em torno do mundo fruto da sua ligação à Marinha. Achei particularmente interessantes todas as suas descrições das viagens que fez enquanto oficial da Marinha, mas em que claramente sentia que não podia fazer tudo aquilo que podia por ser um elemento da Família Imperial e que acontecer-lhe algo poderia ter grandes repercussões em São Petersburgo. O capítulo sete, "Um grão-duque por sua conta", relata a vida de marinheiro de Aleksandr Mikhailovich, com as suas passagens por locais como o Brasil, África do Sul, Xangai ou Japão, país onde ele decidiu seguir os hábitos de outros oficiais russos e "casar" com uma jovem da aldeia de Inassa onde ele era chamado de "Samurai", fruto da sua posição da Família Imperial Russa.
Os capítulos seguintes descrevem os acontecimentos após a morte de Alexandre III e a forma como Nicolau conduziu o seu reinado e que ficou, desde cedo, marcado da pior forma como aconteceu com a tragédia de Khodynka, um banquete comemorativo celebrado por ocasião da sua coroação mas que terminou cerca de 1500 mortos e milhares de feridos, fruto de um rumor que se espalhou e de uma multidão descontente que não se conseguiu parar através da força policial. Como curiosidade, o reinado de Nicolau II ficou igualmente marcado por vários pogroms entre 1903 e 1906 (perseguição deliberada aprovado pelas autoridades) como resultado da propaganda antissemita que foi publicada pela administração de Nicolau II. Esta parte do livro, a partir do capítulo 7, conseguiu prender-me ao relato das memórias deste Grão-Duque e terminei o livro a gostar bastante. Este é um livro que mostra, acima de tudo, que houve sinais de que o tempo dos Czares estaria para terminar mas que não foram encarados pelo núcleo duro da família da melhor forma. Ressalvo que este pode ser um livro algo complexo para quem nunca tiver lido sobre o tema, por isso sugiro que se possam fazer outras leituras sobre este período histórico e sobre os Romanov antes de apostar na leitura das memórias de Aleksandr Mikhailovich. É um livro que nos faz um retrato não apenas da Rússia mas de toda a Europa pré-Primeira Guerra Mundial. Aleksandr chega mesmo a referir sobre este conflito: “Todos tinham razão. Ninguém estava errado. Naquele dia, não teria sido possível contrair um único homem lúcido nos países que de estendiam entre o golfo da Biscaia e o oceano Pacífico. No meu regresso à Rússia, pude presenciar o suicídio de um continente!” (pág. 290). São estas memórias que nos podem ajudar a compreender as dinâmicas familiares (afinal, todas as grandes famílias europeias estavam profundamente ligadas, Nicolau II era primo-irmão de Jorge V, Rei de Inglaterra), os laços de poder e os hábitos culturais de países europeus e que contribuíram, de alguma forma, para a Europa que temos nos dias de hoje.
Aleksandr Mikhailovich termina o seu livro de memórias escrevendo: "Não faria sentido eu escrever este livro se a sua lição moral não tivesse valor para pelo menos alguns dos seus leitores. Para mim, é uma lição cheia de significado e abundante em avisos. Volto a pensar nos companheiros da minha juventude, tentando visualizá-los não como eram nos últimos dias da tragédia, mas como os conheci nos dias mais brilhantes das nossas vidas. Nos meus sonhos, vejo muitas vezes Nicky, Georgie, Sergei e eu, deitados na erva alta e húmida do parque imperial perto de Moscovo, a conversar preguiçosa e alegremente sobre esse futuro misterioso e incrivelmente belo que tem o hábito de acender as suas fogueiras de sinalização no horizonte. Um pouco de paciência - e havemos de o alcançar, todos nós" (pág. 380).
Um livro que li para o projecto "Ler é respeitar a história" e que foi o livro do mês de Julho do Clube Leituras Descomplicadas, no tema "O fim dos czares da Rússia".
August 19, 2021
Aprendemos sempre alguma coisa com um livro. Este em particular é um livro de memórias do Grão-Duque Aleksandr Mikhailovich, primo e cunhado do Czar Nicolai II, e é um tratado de História sobre a vida dos Romanov, dada a sua proximidade física e os laços de sangue com os czares.
É um livro de não ficção que se lê tão bem como se não o fosse. Mantém o interesse do leitor durante toda a leitura até porque a vida deste Grão Duque foi, à semelhança das vidas dos elementos desta família, muito interessante. Através da sua narrativa fiquei a conhecer uma pouco mais sobre esta época conturbada e negra da Rússia, sem pretender contudo, ter a pretensão de me conseguir situar cronologicamente com todos os elementos desta vasta família. Uma árvore genealógica tinha-me feito um jeitão. Peguem num lápis e numa folha...
Se gostarem desta temática avancem sem medos. Vão gostar!
É um livro de não ficção que se lê tão bem como se não o fosse. Mantém o interesse do leitor durante toda a leitura até porque a vida deste Grão Duque foi, à semelhança das vidas dos elementos desta família, muito interessante. Através da sua narrativa fiquei a conhecer uma pouco mais sobre esta época conturbada e negra da Rússia, sem pretender contudo, ter a pretensão de me conseguir situar cronologicamente com todos os elementos desta vasta família. Uma árvore genealógica tinha-me feito um jeitão. Peguem num lápis e numa folha...
Se gostarem desta temática avancem sem medos. Vão gostar!
December 29, 2024
Mais uma visão, desta vez mais perto e pessoal, sobre o que levou à queda do Império Russo. Um livro a ter em conta para quem gosta da família Romanov
January 9, 2018
What a God Read, the Grand Duke has left for us!!!
If you are one who likes to hear a well written tale, told by someone who was really there, may I recommend the Grand Duke's mémoire! You must possess 2 qualities to really get the most out of his history, however. First, be an adventurer, in a time, which is not so far away from now, as the centuries pass by and also be enough of an explorer in this realm to not be bothered by cultural, philosophical or caste systems many millennia from the 21st century. Second, young or older, you must have a desire to read of a set of events, told by a first source, one whom has lived through it all, but who may have a much different perspective than what your history teacher may have imparted to you. This is a particularly delightful book, as it is written in English about events in the 19th and 20th centuries that happened in Russia, no translator was involved here! Thus making a short autobiography, like a diamond set in titanium in an ermine box.
If you are one who likes to hear a well written tale, told by someone who was really there, may I recommend the Grand Duke's mémoire! You must possess 2 qualities to really get the most out of his history, however. First, be an adventurer, in a time, which is not so far away from now, as the centuries pass by and also be enough of an explorer in this realm to not be bothered by cultural, philosophical or caste systems many millennia from the 21st century. Second, young or older, you must have a desire to read of a set of events, told by a first source, one whom has lived through it all, but who may have a much different perspective than what your history teacher may have imparted to you. This is a particularly delightful book, as it is written in English about events in the 19th and 20th centuries that happened in Russia, no translator was involved here! Thus making a short autobiography, like a diamond set in titanium in an ermine box.
February 28, 2019
Now here was a Romanov who should have been Tsar instead of Nicholas II and the history of the 20th century might have been different. This is an extremely compelling memoir written by Grand Duke Sandro Romanov who provides posterity with a first-hand account of the fall of Imperial Russia. He is obviously intelligent, ambitious, wise and energetic. There was much to learn from in this account but I was most taken by his accounts of the paralytic fatalism of the Tsar. I actually wished Sandro was still alive - though he has been dead for 80 years - so I could tell him how much I appreciated his memories and astute observations. The miracle of the written word has once again permitted me to know the thoughts of someone whose witness is irreplaceable.
November 11, 2016
This book was written by Grand duke Alexander, one of the cousins and close friends of the last Tsar Nicholas II. Some of it was pretty dry (there's a lot of military stuff I could do without) but it's an interesting view into the last days of Imperial Russia, WWI, and the Russian Revolution. I was surprised with how much the Duke sympathized with the revolutionaries. He obviously didn't want his entire family murdered, but it seems he really did try to stop the Revolution by encouraging change, but the Tsar refused to listen. Interesting read, especially during these troubled times.
September 22, 2024
A real treat for anyone genuinely interested in the Romanov empire, from its glory days to its finale.
Past the myth and the legend, this is a primary source - an account of the events from a real Gran Duke, the Emperor's cousin. If you're anything like me that's enough of a reason to read it. Obviously far from an objective report, this is still the closest we can get to being in the room where it happened -and it's fascinating.
Before we witness the tragedy, we get acquainted with the inner workings of the Romanov way of life. We learn about what it's like to grow up as a boy in the imperial court, the making of a Gran Duke is tougher than I expected it to be. Alexander takes us on his trips with the Navy, to XX century Japan, for example, or Gilded Age New York to dine with the Astors. I delighted in these crossovers of some of my favorite historical time-places.
We meet the imperial family, observe the relationships they had with each other and conclude how powerful people drama can shape the destiny of an entire country. Be ready to be utterly frustrated with the Tsar, as he seemingly ignores any advice worth listening to and proceeds to do every possible thing WRONG.
Listening in on the conversations of some of the most important historical figures during world-changing events was one of my favorite parts of this book. You can always contest the veracity of the author's writings, but throughout the book I came to trust Alexander - he doesn't omit his wrongdoings or his shortcomings.
As much as I support revolution, and the freedom of the people, I found it very valuable to hear the perspective of a Gran Duke. You will be surprised to know many in the imperial family opposed autocracy and actively fought against it. As much as they were privileged overpowered snobs, they were also people, with honor and kindness - as much victims of their birth condition as any one else. They believed they exercised selflessness by serving Russia. This book humanizes the other side.
The story of the Romanovs is an important cautionary tale for rulers, but also people in general.
You can lose everything in an instant; because the curse of Human life is that you will never see the intricacies of your life's mosaic - how your actions and the actions of others build on each other to create your unique picture - until you are floating, way, way, above it, amidst the clouds.
Past the myth and the legend, this is a primary source - an account of the events from a real Gran Duke, the Emperor's cousin. If you're anything like me that's enough of a reason to read it. Obviously far from an objective report, this is still the closest we can get to being in the room where it happened -and it's fascinating.
Before we witness the tragedy, we get acquainted with the inner workings of the Romanov way of life. We learn about what it's like to grow up as a boy in the imperial court, the making of a Gran Duke is tougher than I expected it to be. Alexander takes us on his trips with the Navy, to XX century Japan, for example, or Gilded Age New York to dine with the Astors. I delighted in these crossovers of some of my favorite historical time-places.
We meet the imperial family, observe the relationships they had with each other and conclude how powerful people drama can shape the destiny of an entire country. Be ready to be utterly frustrated with the Tsar, as he seemingly ignores any advice worth listening to and proceeds to do every possible thing WRONG.
Listening in on the conversations of some of the most important historical figures during world-changing events was one of my favorite parts of this book. You can always contest the veracity of the author's writings, but throughout the book I came to trust Alexander - he doesn't omit his wrongdoings or his shortcomings.
As much as I support revolution, and the freedom of the people, I found it very valuable to hear the perspective of a Gran Duke. You will be surprised to know many in the imperial family opposed autocracy and actively fought against it. As much as they were privileged overpowered snobs, they were also people, with honor and kindness - as much victims of their birth condition as any one else. They believed they exercised selflessness by serving Russia. This book humanizes the other side.
The story of the Romanovs is an important cautionary tale for rulers, but also people in general.
You can lose everything in an instant; because the curse of Human life is that you will never see the intricacies of your life's mosaic - how your actions and the actions of others build on each other to create your unique picture - until you are floating, way, way, above it, amidst the clouds.
February 28, 2021
Wow!
This was a book written in 1931 by a first cousin of Tsar Nicholas II and husband of the Tsar's sister, Xenia. I know some reviewers mention that he embellished his accomplishments and influence, but I was quite impressed by the man. He, Xenia and their children were of the very few Romanovs that survived the Russian Revolution. He presented a very cogent point of view about the inner workings of the greater family, a lot of insider knowledge of the personalities, politics, perfidies and confusion about what really happened during those years and a really interesting take on WWI, Rasputin and the Revolution. He was very involved in the Russian Navy for a decade and says he was responsible for starting aviation training and the beginnings of the use of airplanes during the war. He sounds to have been one of the few clear headed thinkers and with a liberal viewpoint during those terrible times with mostly frustration as a result when he tried to influence decisions that might have saved a number of situations. It is a wonderful book to read along with the biography of his wife and detailed books about Empress Alexandra. What a mess it all was and a terrible tragedy for so many hapless millions!
This was a book written in 1931 by a first cousin of Tsar Nicholas II and husband of the Tsar's sister, Xenia. I know some reviewers mention that he embellished his accomplishments and influence, but I was quite impressed by the man. He, Xenia and their children were of the very few Romanovs that survived the Russian Revolution. He presented a very cogent point of view about the inner workings of the greater family, a lot of insider knowledge of the personalities, politics, perfidies and confusion about what really happened during those years and a really interesting take on WWI, Rasputin and the Revolution. He was very involved in the Russian Navy for a decade and says he was responsible for starting aviation training and the beginnings of the use of airplanes during the war. He sounds to have been one of the few clear headed thinkers and with a liberal viewpoint during those terrible times with mostly frustration as a result when he tried to influence decisions that might have saved a number of situations. It is a wonderful book to read along with the biography of his wife and detailed books about Empress Alexandra. What a mess it all was and a terrible tragedy for so many hapless millions!
December 5, 2021
Relato muito interessante do reinado dos Romanov desde meados do século XIX até pouco depois do seu fim, contado na primeira pessoa pelo Grão-Duque Aleksandr Mikhailovich, primo e cunhado do último Czar, Nicolau II.
Para além de ser contado por alguém que realmente viveu os conhecimentos, sem sentimentalismos, é o testemunho de quem esteve do lado dos perdedores, quando normalmente a História é contada pelos vencedores.
Para além de ser contado por alguém que realmente viveu os conhecimentos, sem sentimentalismos, é o testemunho de quem esteve do lado dos perdedores, quando normalmente a História é contada pelos vencedores.
March 23, 2025
3,5* - Este livro é fascinante e interessante, mas ao mesmo tempo pode ser cansativo e frustrante. Relata a história da família imperial russa entre 1825 e 1920, escrita pelo Grão-Duque Aleksandr Mikhailovich, que era casado com a irmã do último czar, Nicolau II.
Recomendo especialmente a quem gosta de história e política. Aprendi imenso (também não sabia muito sobre o assunto) e o final foi surpreendente. A Europa lixou a Rússia à grande — não admira que ainda hoje haja tanto ressentimento.
Recomendo especialmente a quem gosta de história e política. Aprendi imenso (também não sabia muito sobre o assunto) e o final foi surpreendente. A Europa lixou a Rússia à grande — não admira que ainda hoje haja tanto ressentimento.
August 15, 2025
Sad Tale of Truth
This is a good read as it gives a lot of historical information of the way things were in Russia before the revolution, and the lead up to the revolution. It gives good information on the many family members and who was killed and who got out. It is very sad, but it does contradict others books by other family members of how each surviving member ended up and where after it was all over.
This is a good read as it gives a lot of historical information of the way things were in Russia before the revolution, and the lead up to the revolution. It gives good information on the many family members and who was killed and who got out. It is very sad, but it does contradict others books by other family members of how each surviving member ended up and where after it was all over.
June 22, 2020
Written by the Nicholas's cousin and brother-in-law. Nicholas was a weak ruler is what I got out of this read. It was written by someone whom actually saw what was happening. Great Read. Still very sad that Nicholas's own family in England would not help and save his family. They turned their back on family.
July 13, 2021
Filled with interesting history.
An interesting book about the Romanov family and what they all endured during the WWI and beyond. As a cousin of Tsar Nicholas II, the author has inside knowledge of how and why the monarchy fell. A very interesting read.
An interesting book about the Romanov family and what they all endured during the WWI and beyond. As a cousin of Tsar Nicholas II, the author has inside knowledge of how and why the monarchy fell. A very interesting read.
June 27, 2017
Incredibly interesting account of the last days of the Romanov family
May 10, 2019
Good detail.
March 21, 2020
Very enlightening
Helps to understand Russia before ww1. And just how the time was from the other side before communism took over
Helps to understand Russia before ww1. And just how the time was from the other side before communism took over
May 8, 2020
Unbelievable how history has developed.
May 21, 2020
Superb account from someone who was there and saw what really happened
August 24, 2020
I wish he would have written more about the family's and his reactions to finding out about the death of the Tsar and his family.
June 2, 2021
Adorei o livro, principalmente por ser um relato verídico feito por um sobrevivente Romanov. Vale a pena a leitura!
August 15, 2021
Um relato de quem integrou os últimos anos de história da família Romanov.
February 6, 2022
I'm a huge Romanov nerd and still I knew only the basics about the Grand Duke Alexander "Sandro" Mikhailovich. Hence this was actually a quite a fascinating read. This was also the first time I read a book written by one of the family so it was interesting to see the family dynamics and how the family wasn't at all united. The only thing I missed was to read more about Sandro's feelings about the murders of his family member (especially since Nicky was his best friend) but in some way I can understand that those feelings must be something so fierce that he didn't want to write about them that much. All in all nice read and a great addition to my Romanov book collection. Solid four stars.
February 11, 2023
Relato interesante e fascinante. Vale a pena a leitura!
April 17, 2025
Good for learning Russian history, mainly the life style of the Czars however the writer is super partial it could get annoying sometimes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2020
The book was great. I totally different aspect of Russia
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