jjares reviewed Alexandra Feodorovna: A Life From Beginning to End (Biographies of Russian Royalty) on + 3270 more book reviews
Obviously, Alexandra and Nicholas were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nicholas' father did a poor job of preparing his son to be a ruler. Alexandra seemed to have been swept up in the swirl of the older Tsar's death, her and Nicholas' marriage, and the quick pregnancy; she was unaware of how badly she was coming across to the Russian people. The couple appears to be two genuinely nice people who were caught up in events they were powerless to prevent or change.
They both shared that arrogance of power, thinking that they knew what was best without listening to others. Rasputin blackened Alexandra's reputation; his death should have been a severe warning to both of the royals. I was surprised to learn that in the Russia of that time, the people looked upon the Tsar as God on earth.
In other books that I've read, they have indicated that Alexandra was the stronger of the two royals; that Nicholas did whatever she decided. That did not come across in this story. I'll have to read further. However, this is an engrossing and quick overview of a very difficult time. I was glad that the author raised the issue of King George V not taking in his first cousin (Tsar Nicholas) and family. George was having problems of his own at that time and did not think his countrymen would be happy if he extended a home to them. Of course, he couldn't have foreseen that they would all be murdered.
They both shared that arrogance of power, thinking that they knew what was best without listening to others. Rasputin blackened Alexandra's reputation; his death should have been a severe warning to both of the royals. I was surprised to learn that in the Russia of that time, the people looked upon the Tsar as God on earth.
In other books that I've read, they have indicated that Alexandra was the stronger of the two royals; that Nicholas did whatever she decided. That did not come across in this story. I'll have to read further. However, this is an engrossing and quick overview of a very difficult time. I was glad that the author raised the issue of King George V not taking in his first cousin (Tsar Nicholas) and family. George was having problems of his own at that time and did not think his countrymen would be happy if he extended a home to them. Of course, he couldn't have foreseen that they would all be murdered.
