Comments (31)

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Jan 10, 2023zenbuddies rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A lengthy but very rewarding journey into the life of a fascinating woman. She’s unforgettable.
Nov 22, 2021lukasevansherman rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I've been watch the show "The Great," starring Elle Fanning as Catherine, which led me to this book. I don't know much about Russian politics/history and was often overwhelmed by facts, dates, and people. A fascinating women, nonetheless.…
May 24, 2020carolwu96 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
As someone who knows absolutely nothing about Russian history, I have long wanted to read but also been intimated by this book. However, it turned out my worries were unwarranted, as this work is clearly meant for English speakers who may…
Jul 31, 2018fraupants rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I love Robert K. Massie’s biographical writing style, which is colorful, superbly researched and makes for a bio that’s exciting to read. His book, Catherine The Great: Portrait of a Woman, is enriched with details of a young German…
Dec 13, 2017Ghettostone rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
"Catherine The Great" bedazzelled jewlery, custom made high fashion, extravegant foods and visual descriptions that bends the imagination. This is the historical account of a fairy tale rise of a young girl ripped from home, given a new…
Feb 14, 2016JaneG rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A beautifully written biography. One of my favorites. One step toward understanding the complexities of Ukraine and Russia. Catherine was an amazing, informed leader, ahead of her time in several ways.
Feb 01, 2016
I had no idea. Honestly, though I know I had to have learned about her at some point, there is SO MUCH I just didn't know about her, not just the secret pre-reign stuff, but her propulsion of artistic holdings in the royal Russian…
tiktok
Jan 23, 2016tiktok rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
As one other reviewer stated this is a read with a lot of detail. Unfortunately I didn't have the patience to get all the way through it. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent true story but maybe I can approach it some other time.
Dec 07, 2015Thai5357 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic read. This book took more focus for me to read because I had to keep track of foreign names, and there are a ton! It was great to have some context, as her reign and life was during the Enlightenment movement, and intersects with…
May 11, 2015hepfette rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Needs a family tree and a full map of Russia and surrounding countries of the time. The chapters on the French Revolution didn't seem to belong. Otherwise, a very interesting book.
Apr 20, 2015krdavis255 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I started this book knowing approximately nothing about Catherine II, and now thanks to it I know a lot about her. I appreciated the mix of information about political and foreign affairs as well as personal details about the daily lives,…
Dec 04, 2014twinston781 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Massie writes about Catherine as if she were a Kardashian. Though her life is well-known to history, Massie invites the reader into a world filled with lust, power, and intrigue that will have you flipping pages faster than a James…
Jul 20, 2014duffh rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Well written and arranged. May be more detailed than the casual reader wants - even side characters get bios, and the guillotine is debated - but I enjoyed its thoroughness.
Jul 01, 2014Annlee60 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A very well written book indeed. The author's style is precise. Did not bore readers with unnecessary historical facts but still managed to be extremely informative. A very interesting and captivating read.
Joshziel
Jan 27, 2014Joshziel rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I learned a lot from this book, and also couldn't put it down.
MissParker921
Jan 17, 2014
A very well researched and interesting biography of Catherine The Great. I knew little about this strong and intelligent woman, her rise to power and her accomplishments during her reign. Excellent book.
Oct 20, 2013AlliGee rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I'm going to have to disagree with some of my fellow commentators; if you approach the book with a great deal of historical Russia knowledge, perhaps this will seem shallow to you. But the book is called "CATHERINE the Great," not "RUSSIA…
Oct 17, 2013suzannehb rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I found this book as enjoyable as Nicholas and Alexandria. The first 3/4 was certainly engrossing, the latter 1/4 was less well organized and felt rushed. However, if you enjoy historical fiction, I doubt you will be disappointed with this…
Jan 16, 2013sasie rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A powerful lady who led a fascinating life. Well told and enjoyable to read.
Jan 01, 2013VittoriaLynn rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful! Massie is an incredible storyteller. An incredible woman in such an interesting time!
Oct 08, 2012Lauren31 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, easy read - what a fascinating time period, and what a fascinating (not to mention powerful) woman.
patienceandfortitude
Sep 11, 2012patienceandfortitude rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Russia or European history. "Great" portrait of a fascinating woman.
dvschmidt
Aug 29, 2012
NYTimes 2011 best
Aug 06, 2012rioreta rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A very enjoyable read. Massie brings the people in all the European families to life with a down to earth style that makes you want to read on. Having visited St. Petersburg, it was easy to envision some of the places that are mentioned in…
Jun 05, 2012captain_bildad rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
A really shabby biography of Catherine II of Russia. Massie who wrote a very solid popular biography of Peter the Great, should be ashamed of producing this slapdash excuse of a book. It's very thin on any contemporary research and its…