Helpful Score: 7
The writer of Nicholas and Alexandra looks at the death of the Romanov family in Ekaterinburg, Russia. The book begins with a description of their execution, and how the bodies were disposed of. Then it describes how the remains were rediscovered, disinterred, and how modern-day DNA methods were used to identify them.
The second section of the book discusses Romanov pretenders, in particular, Anna Anderson, who claimed to be Anastasia. DNA again was used to prove conclusively that she was not Anastasia, but a Polish peasant whose DNA had a 100% match with relative, a Polish farmer.
The third section of the book describes the remaining Romanovs who are scattered throughout the world, and which ones would be eligible if a monarchy was ever again to be instituted.
The last chapter is an epilog, taking us back to the final day of the Romanov family, a diagram of the Ipatiev House where they were kept under guard for months in Ekaterinburg, and an hour-by-hour description of their last day.
This book has a number of excellent photos of the royal family; the photos of the grand duchesses are particularly beautiful and poignant. This book is a good look at the craziness surrounding the Russian Revolution and how many out-of-control revolutionaries made unethical decisions about life and death pretty much on their own or only with regional approval. The city of Ekaterinburg has been trying to atone ever since. Boris Yeltsin was a native of Ekaterinburg.
The second section of the book discusses Romanov pretenders, in particular, Anna Anderson, who claimed to be Anastasia. DNA again was used to prove conclusively that she was not Anastasia, but a Polish peasant whose DNA had a 100% match with relative, a Polish farmer.
The third section of the book describes the remaining Romanovs who are scattered throughout the world, and which ones would be eligible if a monarchy was ever again to be instituted.
The last chapter is an epilog, taking us back to the final day of the Romanov family, a diagram of the Ipatiev House where they were kept under guard for months in Ekaterinburg, and an hour-by-hour description of their last day.
This book has a number of excellent photos of the royal family; the photos of the grand duchesses are particularly beautiful and poignant. This book is a good look at the craziness surrounding the Russian Revolution and how many out-of-control revolutionaries made unethical decisions about life and death pretty much on their own or only with regional approval. The city of Ekaterinburg has been trying to atone ever since. Boris Yeltsin was a native of Ekaterinburg.
Helpful Score: 1
I was worried this might read like a school book. It was very interesting, easy to read and there are even pictures in the book. Because it was published in the mid 1990's, it does not include info about finding the last 2 bodies in 2007.
Helpful Score: 1
Good overview on Romanov history. Very interesting.
