First published 2011
Catherine the Great was a German princess who married the heir to the Russian throne. But when her husband takes the crown, his incompetence and cruelty spark a rebellion. Catherine seizes power, navigating court intrigue and palace coups to become the sole ruler of the vast Russian Empire. As she expands Russian influence across Europe, Catherine must balance international ambitions with the challenging realities of 18th-century Russia - from peasant uprisings to the life-or-death power struggles of the Romanov dynasty. Massie's gripping biography reveals the personal triumphs and struggles of this remarkable woman who left an indelible mark on history.
Genres: biography, history, historical-fiction, russian-empire
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: court-intrigue, power-struggle
Setting: Russia, Europe
Period: 18th-century
415 pages · ebook · Random House