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Nicholas II, The Last Tsar
The character of the last Tsar, Nicholas II (1868-1918) is crucial to understanding the overthrow of tsarist Russia, the most significant event in Russian history. Nicholas became Tsar at the age of 26. Though a conscientious man who was passionate in his devotion to his country, he was weak, sentimental, dogmatic and indecisive. Ironically he could have made an effective constitutional monarch, but these flaws rendered him fatally unsuited to be the sole ruler of a nation that was in the throes of painful modernisation. That he failed is not surprising, for many abler monarchs could not have succeeded. Rather to be wondered at is that he managed, for 23 years, to hold on to power despite the overwhelming force of circumstances. Though Nicholas was exasperating, he had many endearing qualities. A modern audience, aware - as contemporaries were not - of the private pressures under which he lived, can empathise with him and forgive some of his errors of judgement. To some readers he seems a fool, to others a monster, but many are touched by the story of a well-meaning man doing his best under impossible conditions. He is, in other words, a biographical subject that engages readers whatever their viewpoint.
His family was of great importance to Nicholas. He and his wife, Alexandra, married for love and retained this affection to the end of their lives. His four daughters, all different and intriguing personalities, were beautiful and charming. His son, the family's - and the nation's - hope for the future, was disabled by an illness that had to be concealed from Russia and from the world. It was this circumstance that made possible the nefarious influence of Rasputin, which in turn hastened the end of the dynasty.
This story has romance and tragedy, grandeur and misery, human frailty and an international catastrophe that would not only bring down the Tsar but put an end to the glittering era of European monarchies.
His family was of great importance to Nicholas. He and his wife, Alexandra, married for love and retained this affection to the end of their lives. His four daughters, all different and intriguing personalities, were beautiful and charming. His son, the family's - and the nation's - hope for the future, was disabled by an illness that had to be concealed from Russia and from the world. It was this circumstance that made possible the nefarious influence of Rasputin, which in turn hastened the end of the dynasty.
This story has romance and tragedy, grandeur and misery, human frailty and an international catastrophe that would not only bring down the Tsar but put an end to the glittering era of European monarchies.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2017
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140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 6, 2025
A Tragic Life
The reign of Tsar Nicholas II is one of the most disastrous in history. From a strong position in 1894 in was irrelevant by 1917. Nicholas inherited a nation that was confident, looking forward to the future, however within 23 years this country was gone. It had fallen into the abyss, never to be seen again. Michael Paterson tells the story of how this happened. With mistake after mistake made, essentially handing Russia to the Bolsheviks on a plate.
Nicholas was not an evil man and without the First World War there is nothing to suggest that the monarchy would not have survived (although it’s hard to imagine autocracy lasting well into the 20th century). However, he was simply the wrong man in the circumstances presented to him. In a series of unfortunate events, such as Bloody Sunday, the illness of the Tsarevich and taking over the armed forces in WWI he became the punchbag of the nation, blamed him and his wife for the countries failures.
This study by no means looks at Nicholas through rose tinted glasses and his short comings are analysed. But they are also put into context, such as his antisemitic views which were wildly held in Russia at the time.
Undoubtedly Nicholas’ finest hour was in his abdication and following detention. His piety, stoicism and devotion to his family and country are to be admired. He did what he thought was best for his people and his family, even if when reigning, he may have got this completely wrong. He did not complain, try to flee or try to act in his own best interests and in the end seemed to accept his fate as the will of god.
It is widely accepted that Nicholas was not the greatest Tsar, but he certainly was not the worst. The pity being that he would have been an excellent constitutional monarch. In the end his dedication to his coronation oath and thus autocracy meant he would rather abdicate than give allow a constitution. Nicholas II, The Last Tsar certainly has new information to offer especially around the early part of the reign and I really got a sense of the man in public and private. However, this is not the ultimate narrative on this very important reign and other books are needed to really grasp the subject to a satisfactory level.
The reign of Tsar Nicholas II is one of the most disastrous in history. From a strong position in 1894 in was irrelevant by 1917. Nicholas inherited a nation that was confident, looking forward to the future, however within 23 years this country was gone. It had fallen into the abyss, never to be seen again. Michael Paterson tells the story of how this happened. With mistake after mistake made, essentially handing Russia to the Bolsheviks on a plate.
Nicholas was not an evil man and without the First World War there is nothing to suggest that the monarchy would not have survived (although it’s hard to imagine autocracy lasting well into the 20th century). However, he was simply the wrong man in the circumstances presented to him. In a series of unfortunate events, such as Bloody Sunday, the illness of the Tsarevich and taking over the armed forces in WWI he became the punchbag of the nation, blamed him and his wife for the countries failures.
This study by no means looks at Nicholas through rose tinted glasses and his short comings are analysed. But they are also put into context, such as his antisemitic views which were wildly held in Russia at the time.
Undoubtedly Nicholas’ finest hour was in his abdication and following detention. His piety, stoicism and devotion to his family and country are to be admired. He did what he thought was best for his people and his family, even if when reigning, he may have got this completely wrong. He did not complain, try to flee or try to act in his own best interests and in the end seemed to accept his fate as the will of god.
It is widely accepted that Nicholas was not the greatest Tsar, but he certainly was not the worst. The pity being that he would have been an excellent constitutional monarch. In the end his dedication to his coronation oath and thus autocracy meant he would rather abdicate than give allow a constitution. Nicholas II, The Last Tsar certainly has new information to offer especially around the early part of the reign and I really got a sense of the man in public and private. However, this is not the ultimate narrative on this very important reign and other books are needed to really grasp the subject to a satisfactory level.
March 9, 2022
A surprisingly gentle but damning overview of Nicholas II. It's a book that doesn't raise it's voice above a gentle cadence, but it nevertheless methodically damns him for his weaknesses and his poor choices. This might feel superficially sympathetic to the last Tsar, but only in the way one pities the most pathetic members of the human species.
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February 17, 2024Aucune idée de comment noter ce livre. Clairement j'ai appris beaucoup. La lecture est facile et claire. Alors pourquoi j'ai pris autant de temps pour terminer ce court exposé? Mystère.
August 29, 2023
I don’t often write reviews, but I felt this book deserved one.
I have read many books about the Russian Revolution, the Romanovs, and the individual members of the Romanov family. I find them to be fascinating, both in life and in death.
If you are looking for a book to start your journey down the Romanov rabbit-hole, this is where to begin. The author expertly takes a large amount of history and condenses it down into 230 pages, which was easy to read and absorb.
I am on the side of the fence that absolutely hates what happened to this family, and while I know there are those out there that think at minimum, Nicholas deserved his fate, this author intricately weaved Nicholas’s story into one that exposes all his weaknesses, his shortcomings, and outright failures, while also highlighting what made him a man that deserves respect and admiration.
Perhaps he was not a good Tsar, but he was a great man.
I have read many books about the Russian Revolution, the Romanovs, and the individual members of the Romanov family. I find them to be fascinating, both in life and in death.
If you are looking for a book to start your journey down the Romanov rabbit-hole, this is where to begin. The author expertly takes a large amount of history and condenses it down into 230 pages, which was easy to read and absorb.
I am on the side of the fence that absolutely hates what happened to this family, and while I know there are those out there that think at minimum, Nicholas deserved his fate, this author intricately weaved Nicholas’s story into one that exposes all his weaknesses, his shortcomings, and outright failures, while also highlighting what made him a man that deserves respect and admiration.
Perhaps he was not a good Tsar, but he was a great man.
February 9, 2018
A very subjective portrait of Nicholas II, but then aren't they all?! However, this one is instead largely supportive rather than critical. That's a breath of fresh air, but it does mean that some of the more famously negative aspects, such as that infamous Winter Palace diary entry, are entirely left out. Utterly immersive and insightful though - a very strong summary of a fascinating period of world history.
December 29, 2022
"And when the hour comes
To pass the last dread gate,
Breathe strength to us to pray,
Father, forgive them" - Copied from Olga's Diary while in Tobolsk
We know exactly what happened to him and his family. The tragic ends that await them are cruel and barbaric. Was he really incompatible to lead Russian Empire? He was, actually. Nevertheless, he wasn't the worst. His soft and wishy-washy personality didn't match with Russia's political agenda at those times. In this book, the author will stand in the middle ground. Judging The Last Tsar with the explanation and giving him credit for the good things that happened.
When he abdicated, he could have tried to flee the country with his family and possessions. He made absolutely no attempt to save himself or to find any accommodation with the new rulers. He stayed in Russia to face a possible trial and an unknown future. Though he would have been grateful for rescue from the Bolsheviks, he didn't want to go abroad, preferring to stay in Russia in case he could be useful. He accepted the progressive humiliation that deprived him of everything but the company of his family and ultimately took his life. He did this without rancour, and even with forgiveness.
To pass the last dread gate,
Breathe strength to us to pray,
Father, forgive them" - Copied from Olga's Diary while in Tobolsk
We know exactly what happened to him and his family. The tragic ends that await them are cruel and barbaric. Was he really incompatible to lead Russian Empire? He was, actually. Nevertheless, he wasn't the worst. His soft and wishy-washy personality didn't match with Russia's political agenda at those times. In this book, the author will stand in the middle ground. Judging The Last Tsar with the explanation and giving him credit for the good things that happened.
When he abdicated, he could have tried to flee the country with his family and possessions. He made absolutely no attempt to save himself or to find any accommodation with the new rulers. He stayed in Russia to face a possible trial and an unknown future. Though he would have been grateful for rescue from the Bolsheviks, he didn't want to go abroad, preferring to stay in Russia in case he could be useful. He accepted the progressive humiliation that deprived him of everything but the company of his family and ultimately took his life. He did this without rancour, and even with forgiveness.
September 21, 2020
Purchase Nicholas II here for just $10!
Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar, remains a controversial figure even today, just over a hundred years after he was overthrown and murdered, along with his family. Author Michael Paterson examines the private life of the Tsar and his family- their association with the mad monk, Rasputin, and their having a disabled son who was in line for the Russian throne. Through these insights, we gain a far deeper understanding of this ultimately tragic monarch and begin to understand what influenced his decision making at this pivotal time in Russian, and indeed, global history. If you are interested in European History you are going to love this biography, as I did!
Nick The Book Grocer
Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar, remains a controversial figure even today, just over a hundred years after he was overthrown and murdered, along with his family. Author Michael Paterson examines the private life of the Tsar and his family- their association with the mad monk, Rasputin, and their having a disabled son who was in line for the Russian throne. Through these insights, we gain a far deeper understanding of this ultimately tragic monarch and begin to understand what influenced his decision making at this pivotal time in Russian, and indeed, global history. If you are interested in European History you are going to love this biography, as I did!
Nick The Book Grocer
February 3, 2021
The writing style is not clear. The author jumped around subjects without warning. For example, he described Catherine Palace, then wandered to Alexander Palace and without any indication he was back to Catherine Palace, which I didn't notice until several pages later. I had to reread several times, and still confused. I found this very annoying! It disturbs the flow of the story.
June 26, 2021
A fair and balanced account looking at the positive and the negatives of the last Tsar. I’ve not often read about his human side, his dedication to his country and his acceptance of the fate that befell him.
July 5, 2018
A very interesting read if you want to know more about Russia and the life of Nicholas II.
January 8, 2019
Romanov's followers thought they were martyrs.
January 9, 2022
A very accessible read, with no references or bibliography. Enjoyable as an introduction to a topic but will need to read further to understand more.
February 12, 2023
So-so books and writing, and royalist symphatizer through and through. Nevertheless, its still kind of charming and light reading. A needed book to breakthrough from reading slum :)
May 1, 2024
A great account of one of the biggest life tragedies in human history. Top notch story telling.
September 19, 2025
“…considering this handicap we, who have the benefit of hindsight and of a century of scholarship to help us analyse, must be cautious in our condemnation.” - Michael Paterson
Tsar Nicholas II of Russia was known to be impressively calm in moments of crisis, so people outside his family and inner council were quick to assume that the Emperor was an insensitive troglodyte who made decisions on a whim.
Despite being one of the most flawed and unfortunate emperors in the history of Romanov monarchs, Nicholas had redeeming qualities that made him such an interesting character not just to his family and empire, but also to the rest of the world.
Tsar Nicholas II of Russia was known to be impressively calm in moments of crisis, so people outside his family and inner council were quick to assume that the Emperor was an insensitive troglodyte who made decisions on a whim.
Despite being one of the most flawed and unfortunate emperors in the history of Romanov monarchs, Nicholas had redeeming qualities that made him such an interesting character not just to his family and empire, but also to the rest of the world.
March 4, 2018
I learned more about Nicolas ll than I knew before but not much.
Well written and very readable but there was very little fresh information.
He still came over as a well - meaning man who had the unhappy knack of taking bad advice from the wrong people at the wrong time and failing to assert his authority when it could have mattered.
Nicolas was simply the wrong man for the job - he hadn't been prepared for leadership by either his father or his father's advisors and I think this is where the problems started and where the blame ultimately lays
Well written and very readable but there was very little fresh information.
He still came over as a well - meaning man who had the unhappy knack of taking bad advice from the wrong people at the wrong time and failing to assert his authority when it could have mattered.
Nicolas was simply the wrong man for the job - he hadn't been prepared for leadership by either his father or his father's advisors and I think this is where the problems started and where the blame ultimately lays
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews