کاترین کبیر

by Zoé Oldenbourg, محمود طلوعی (Translator)

Contents
Illustrations
Introduction
Childhood
What Do Little Princesses Dream Of?
The King of Prussia
Holy Russia
Peter the Great
Peter's Successors
Elizabeth
The Child of Kiel
Elizabeth & Her Nephew
Cinderella at Court
Sophia
Young Love & Court Intrigue
The Grand Duchess Catherine
Journey to Kiev, Family & Other Troubles
A Catastrophe
Their Imperial Highnesses
The Wedding
The Newlyweds
Politics & Play
Russia
The Court
Troubles for the Grand Duke & Duchess
The Apprentice Years
Love & Reasons of State
The Succession Ensured
Paul Petrovich
Love & Politics
An Odd Couple
New Threats
The Turning Point
Love & Conspiracy
Mock Emperor
The Coup d'Etat of June 1762
Assassination of the Emperor
She Who Would Reign
The New Empress
The Faithful Servants
The Neglected Lover
The Empress
The People
Private Life of an Empress
Mother & Grandmother
The Sovereign
The Semiramis of the North
The Empress Dies
Conclusion
Chronological Table
Genealogical Table
Note on the Princess of Anhalt-Zerbst
Bibliography
Notes & References

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Russia, Classics, Biography Memoir

366 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Zoé Oldenbourg (Russian: Зоя Серге́евна Ольденбург) (March 31, 1916–November 8, 2002) was a Russian-born French historian and novelist who specialized in medieval French history, in particular the Crusades and Cathars.

She was born in Petrograd, Russia into a family of scholars and historians. Her father Sergei was a journalist and historian, her mother Ada Starynkevich was a mathematician, and her grandfather Sergei was the permanent secretary of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Saint Petersburg.Her early childhood was spent among the privations of the Russian revolutionary period and the first years of Communism. Her father fled the country and established himself as a journalist in Paris.

With her family, she emigrated to Paris in 1925 at the age of nine and graduated from the Lycée Molière in 1934 with her Baccalauréat diploma. She went on to study at the Sorbonne and then she studied painting at the Académie Ranson. In 1938 she spent a year in England and studied theology. During World War II she supported herself by hand-painting scarves.

She was encouraged by her father to write and she completed her first work, a novel, Argiles et cendres in 1946. Although she wrote her first works in Russian, as an adult she wrote almost exclusively in French.
She married Heinric Idalovici in 1948 and had two children, Olaf and Marie-Agathe.

She combined a genius for scholarship and a deep feeling for the Middle Ages in her historical novels. The World is Not Enough, a vast panorama of the twelfth century immediately put her in the ranks of the foremost historical novelists. Her second, The Cornerstone, won her the Prix Femina and was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection in America. Other works include The Awakened, The Chains of Love, Massacre at Montsegur, Destiny of Fire, Cities of the Flesh, and Catherine the Great, a Literary Guild selection. In The Crusades, Zoe Oldenbourg returned to the Middle Ages she knew and loved so well.

She won the Prix Femina for her 1953 novel La Pierre Angulaire.

Reviews

[ناصر سليم · Rating 3 out of 5]

نویسنده در این کتاب از نوجوانی کاترین شروع به نوشتن کرده تا لحظه مرگش
کاترین که سوفیا نام اصلی اش بود و در آلمان زندگی می کرد و دختر یک شاهزاده نه چندان بزرگ آلمانی بود در سن چهارده سالگی به همراه مادرش که سی و دو سال سن داشت به دربار روسیه میره تا با ولیعهد روسیه پتر ازدواج کنه
ملکه قدرتمند وقت روسیه الیزابت نام داشت که با یک شورش به این مقام رسید و تونست تاج امپراطوری و به سر کنه
در این کتاب می خونیم که تمام هم و غم مادر کاترین و سپس کاترین این بوده که ابتدا با دربار روسیه یه وصلت دائمی داشته باشن و خود کاترین ارزو داشت که روزی بتونه تاج امپراطوری و رو سرش بذاره
بنا به گفته های کاترین و طی خاطراتی که از خودش بجا گذاشته پتر یک مرد احمق و ساده و دست و پا چلفتی بوده که به هیچ وجه لیاقت امپراطوری روسیه رو نداشته
کاترین هجده سال صبر کرد و تحمل تا تونست بعداز مرگ الیزابت و سرکوب پتر طی یک شورشی که ارتش روسیه به فرماندهی برادران اورلف انجام داد به سلطنت برسه
یکی از همین برادرها معشوق کاترین بود
کاترین معشوق های زیادی داشت و هرزه کاری های خودش و تا سن شصت سالگی ادامه داد و تمام فاسق های کاترین مردهایی بیست و دو تا بیست و پنج ساله بودن که قبل از ارتباط با کاترین
توسط دکتر شخصی کاترین معاینه می شدن و بعد از لحاظ قدرت جسمی و جنسی توسط ندیمه مخصوص ملکه مورد امتحان قرار می گرفتن و بعد از تایید این دو نفر، با کاترین نرد عشق می باختن و امیال و هوس های این امپراطوریس رو ارضا می کردن
کاترین کبیر، کبیر لقبی بود که واقعا شایستگی این زن و داشت و طی سالهایی که بر تخت سلطنت روسیه جلوس کرده بود تونست روسیه رو بزرگتر و ثروتمندتر کنه و به درجه ایی برسونه که حتی تزارهای قبل از او موفق به این کار نشده بودند بجز پتر کبیر.
کاترین از زمان نوجوانی علاقه زیادی به مطالعه داشت بطوریکه همه کاترین و به خاطر وسعت معلوماتی که داشت تحسین می کردن و در عین حال با فلاسفه و ادیبان بزرگ اروپا هم مکاتبه داشت من جمله این اشخاص : ولتر ، دیدرو و گریم بودن
ولتر فیلسوفی که نقش مهمی در انقلاب کبیر فرانسه داشت در طی نامه هایی که برای کاترین کی نوشت می گفت که حاضرم صد ها بار بوسه بر پای تو بزنم تو از منظر من بتی هستی که باید پرستیده بشی و کاترین هم در جواب می نوشت که باید بوسه بر اون دستی زد که چنین کلماتی و به رشته تحریر در میاره...
در کل کتاب خوبی بود و از خوندنش کسل نشدم

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read at least five of Zoe Oldenbourg's books, I must say that she has been well served by her translator(s). All of them, fiction and non-fiction, are readable without any sense of a translator standing between author and reader.

Catherine the Great is primarily a character study of Catherine II, Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796. Although sympathetic, particularly to the young princess Sophia Augusta Fredericka of Anhalt-Zerbst, the study is quite critical of the policies of the autocrat as regards the mass of Russians. Despite her high self-regard and reputation for enlightenment, Catherine probably hurt more than helped her average subjects. She did, however, build the Russian state as a power to be reckoned with.

For those interested in Russian domestic and foreign policies under the Empress, this is not the book to read. Its primary focus is on the person of Catherine and its subsidiary foci are on the persons closest to her. Two-thirds of the text treat of her pre-regnal years, 1729-1761.

[Margie Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing about this period of history in this part of the world. I had this book from a book sale a few years ago, so I tackled it, although slow moving! It is mostly about Catherine's life before her rule began. She was from a minor noble family in Germany and taken to Russia for an arranged marriage to Peter the Great's nephew. The marriage was a catastrophe, but both had their affairs on the side, really in plain view of all. She had children, however, none was thought to be from her husband and was not at all a loving or devoted mother. She was well-read, loved Russia (her husband was a loyal German and hated Russia), and wanted the best for the horrible circumstances in her country. Her husband was hated by all, especially the military because he was loyal to Frederick the Great, Russia's foe in war. When he was assassinated, she became ruler. It was a lot about the shenanigans behind the nobility's and palace doors. It was interesting.

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can not pretend that there are not more recent biographies that would be my first recommendation to anyone looking to learn about Catherine the Great but I remember this book from half a century ago and it is far better then many others which have been produced since. Certainly it would not lead you down any ridiculous byways and, when you realize how much archival material was not available to the author (as an émigré Russian, even as one who left there as a child, I am not even sure how easy it was back then to visit the then Soviet Union) her book stands up well compared to the best modern scholarship.

I will always retain a soft spot for this writer and her books because she helped introduce me to a love of Russian history.

[Amin Tuysserkani · Rating 4 out of 5]

روایتی جذاب، روان و منطقی از زندگی کاترین کبیر. در این کتاب به تاریخ روسیه قبل از کاترین هم به‌صورت خلاصه پرداخته می‌شود و با کلیت تاریخ روسیه آشنا می‌شویم. به نظرم ایراد اصلی کتاب عدم تناسب حجم مطالب در دو‌ بخش زندگی کاترین پیش از امپراتوری و‌ بعد از آن است. تمرکز کتاب بیشتر بر زندگی کاترین تا قبل از رسیدن به امپراتوری است و‌ متاسفانه کتاب به صورت مفصل و جامعی‌ به دوران سلطنت کاترین نمی‌پردازد. کتاب سعی دارد بی‌طرفانه کاترین را قضاوت کند که تا حدودی در این امر موفق شده است.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Trey Lusk · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are vaguely interested in Catherine II of Russia and her exploits, this is not the book for you.

If you have a general understanding of what makes her great and want to learn about her childhood and life leading to the coup, then this may be the book for you.

But its not even a book for experts on Catherine. What it reads like is a poorly paced biography that hyperfocuses on certain details and skips over others completely.

Zoe, for her beautiful writing style and unique voice, seems like a fresh fish in salt water with her first biography. The book is often redundant and contradictory. Sometimes, the author says Peter III is stupid, Sometimes, he's witty. It seemed almost like Oldenburg was less of an historian giving an analysis but an unreliable narrator subjectively commenting on the story as it unfolds

The takeaway from this book is that Catherine is not great but, at best, an effective burocrat. The author showed bias by their commentary but chiefly by their omission of the 30-year reign of the queen.

If this book were entitled Peter and Sophia and was marketed as a book detailing their personal life and relationship, i would have enjoyed it much more because that is what it is. But when a book is titled "Catherine the Great," the greatness in question must be addressed, and I feel the main theme of the book.


Frankly, I was disappointed and bored. I would give it 1.5 stars but were robbed of that pleasure on goodreads, so I'll round up.

[Erika RS · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this biography of Catherine the Great[1] the summer after I had done a middle school book report on Catherine. I never got around to reading it until now.

I'm kind of glad I waited because it wasn't that good of a book. The author clearly only wanted to write about the time before the Empress came to power. The first 275 pages of this 356 page book minutely cover Catherine's childhood, her time as Grand Duchess, and her rise to the throne. The last 80 pages cover everything else, and 20 pages of that is sent on a well-yes-but-aren't-you-belaboring-the-point-a-bit rant about the truly abominable treatment of serfs in Russia of this time period.

Overall, this book was not particularly worth my time. Hopefully Robert K. Massie's well rated biography of Catherine the Great will be a better read.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherin...

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russian history isn't something I know very much about - I didn't even know who Catherine the Great was until earlier this year. I had originally thought the Russian court would be very similar to European counterparts of the time, but apparently not: superficially opulent to the point of poor taste, it was at heart only a cheap imitation of the great European powers, a situation greatly changed by Catherine's time as Empress. Under her, Russia became a formidable court of refinement and culture, though not without its faults. It was fascinating to read about a woman who - as most female rulers are - is now most famous for her love affairs, but who, on delving deeper, was a fiercely intelligent, egotistic, idealistic and yet pragmatic figure, who underneath her great name was a wonderfully flawed human being. Well worth the read.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only gave it 4 stars because it may not have universal appeal- some people just don't get into history. I do and I loved it. In terms of culture, history and position in the world Russia has always been a little weird in a fascinating way. This book gives real incite into the reasons for Russias odd place in the world. Odenbourgh was an historical fiction writer and this was her first stab at a biograhy. She attempts to portray Catherine as a real person. Tons of primary material from the period of Catherine's reign exists. Catherine actually wrote her own memoirs. The story told gives incite into the unenviable lives of the Russian court, serfdom and Russian politics. I feel like I understand why Russian are so distrustful of outsiders even today. Great book.

[Julie]

Immensely satifsying, as I have always preferred portraits of political people to those of politicians. Oldenbourg focuses on Catherine's childhood and early reign; for while her pride and intoxication for flattery were immense, they were not yet at their peak. "The other Catherine, the Great one, could not open her mouth or take up a pen without being conscious of herself as admirable and admired." Accessible (disagree with the reviews that say Oldenbourg presupposes too much prior knowledge). Oldenbourg cleverly maps out the players of Catherine's reign--all people I am glad I didn't know (emphasis given to all three Peters), but am content to know much about.

[Buddy Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read covering Catherine's rise to power. Since there are so many good sources for this, it almost seems as if Oldenbourg is channeling her subject since she can quote her so liberally and since she was such a good writer. If one is looking to study her reign, this is not the book to read since it becomes a general discussion of her qualities as a leader once she attains power without any specific discussion of her history, decisions, appointments, etc., once she became empress. That said, it's a wonderful introduction to one of history's great characters. I could barely put it down.

[Dominique Lamssies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is simply pop history for people with a casual interest in the subject. Oldenbourg seems more interested in quoting Catherine's memoirs, which the monarch wrote herself and Oldenbourg openly admits must be taken with a grain of salt as a result, and in speculating about what everyone may have been thinking and what may have happened.

It's well enough written, but to people who actually want to learn something about the subject, I would try another book.

Frankly, if Oldenbourg wanted to deal in what if, she should have written a novel about Catherine and left the history to the historians.

[Faye Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and researched biography of the minor German princess who became Catherine the Great. One thing I liked about this book is that it didn’t gloss over the character flaws of the people involved in order to tell the story, but delved into their lives to let the reader see how they got to where they were. Against the historical background, the complicated political intrigues, and the hardships of the Russian people, the author gives the reader the best biography of Catherine that I’ve read.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

another interesting female monarch book.

[Jenalyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

depraved subject

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject matter is fascinating, but the writing is a bit scattered and presupposes a certain familiarity with Russian history that I definitely do not possess.

[Mary Lou Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb writing. Looks at Catherine from a psychological standpoint. Intriguing

[Esra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am disappointed with this book, even though it is documented so well not even a word about how she created the incredible collection now exhibited at Hermitage, my main reason to read the book.