
Catherine the Great & Potemkin
The Imperial Love Affair
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Narrated by:
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Sophie Roberts
A widely acclaimed biography from the bestselling author of The Romanovs: "One of the great love stories of history” (The Economist) between Catherine the Great and the wildly flamboyant and talented Prince Potemkin. • "Captures the genius of two extraordinary Enlightenment figures—and of the age as well." —The Wall Street Journal
Catherine the Great was a woman of notorious passion and imperial ambition. Prince Potemkin was the love of her life and her co-ruler. Together they seized Ukraine and Crimea, territories that define the Russian sphere of influence to this day. Their affair was so tumultuous that they negotiated an arrangement to share power, leaving each of them free to take younger lovers. But these “twin souls” never stopped loving each other.
Drawing on the pair’s intimate letters and on vast research, Simon Sebag Montefiore restores these imperial partners to their rightful place as titans of their age.
"Biography in the grand tradition...Riveting...The author [is] a gifted storyteller." —The Washington Post
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Critic reviews
"One of the great love stories of history...Excellent with dazzling mastery of detail and literary flair." —The Economist
"Montefiore conveys [Russian] history with vivid detail and narrative momentum...Captures the genius of two extraordinary Enlightenment figures—and of the age as well." —The Wall Street Journal
"Biography in the grand tradition...Riveting...The author [is] a gifted storyteller." —The Washington Post
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but I wasn't aware of any of the bias and ended up seeing Potemkin was really a great man.
so while I could clearly see the author was sort of defending these figures, overall, instead of being annoyed by what could be seen as 'one sided efforts ' of author; I actually found his information well researched. He had A LOT of info that really supported all the admiration the author has for his books subjects.
it has lots of clear detail, delivered in a pretty easy-to-follow presentation of it. and as I said , I am weary of authors who set out to'defend' a personage I didn't feel this was the case here. as the book went on, I agreed with the author that this mans life deserved a closer look, and the facts he shared made me agree that Potemkin was a great man and history seems to have jaded the truth of him and Catherine. In this book, facts are laid bear with wonderful sources of great ACTUAL archived letters between them and contemporarys.
but it only follows the events important to Catherine and mostly Potemkin. it does not cover anything else happening in that time period unless it involved them.
but it was performed well, and the info was entertaining and inspired. I liked it. Catherine an Potemkins relationship was TRUELY a unique relationship by all means. I found that interesting and appreciated that aspect more seeing it unfold. the people in the story are unique and they don't let you down but surprise you .
I appreciate the work the author did to present this vast and extensive work.
good in-depth book
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Sheds light on subject
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Simon Sebag Montefiore is excellent as expected. Captures the time of Potemkin and Catherine. The culture, domestic politics, and international politics. The influence of France, Britain, Prussia, Austria, America, and Ottomans on Russia. To spice up the timeline - Potemkin was at his best as the USA won independence, France destroyed itself, Europe was in full "enlightenment", Austria was at limits, and Britain entering its Golden Age. This book is like a prequal to War and Peace. Many of the hero's of 1812 making an appearance in the late 18th century - Bagatrion, Subarov, and Kutuzov. Even the complex Russian love lives. I thought Anna Karenia was an oddity, but not an oddity if Catherine was an influential role model in the culture.
Potemkin- a force of Nature
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Excellent
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Somewhat disappointing
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Liked the book, hated the narrator
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Attention to detail
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