The History Book Club discussion

This is the introduction thread for Catherine the Great by Robert Massie

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Women

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Peter the Great, Nicholas and Alexandra, and The Romanovs returns with another masterpiece of narrative biography, the extraordinary story of an obscure young German princess who traveled to Russia at fourteen and rose to become one of the most remarkable, powerful, and captivating women in history.

Born into a minor noble family, Catherine transformed herself into Empress of Russia by sheer determination. Possessing a brilliant mind and an insatiable curiosity as a young woman, she devoured the works of Enlightenment philosophers and, when she reached the throne, attempted to use their principles to guide her rule of the vast and backward Russian empire. She knew or corresponded with the preeminent historical figures of her time: Voltaire, Diderot, Frederick the Great, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, Marie Antoinette, and, surprisingly, the American naval hero, John Paul Jones.

Reaching the throne fired by Enlightenment philosophy and determined to become the embodiment of the “benevolent despot” idealized by Montesquieu, she found herself always contending with the deeply ingrained realities of Russian life, including serfdom. She persevered, and for thirty-four years the government, foreign policy, cultural development, and welfare of the Russian people were in her hands. She dealt with domestic rebellion, foreign wars, and the tidal wave of political change and violence churned up by the French Revolution that swept across Europe. Her reputation depended entirely on the perspective of the speaker. She was praised by Voltaire as the equal of the greatest of classical philosophers; she was condemned by her enemies, mostly foreign, as “the Messalina of the north.”

Catherine’s family, friends, ministers, generals, lovers, and enemies—all are here, vividly described. These included her ambitious, perpetually scheming mother; her weak, bullying husband, Peter (who left her lying untouched beside him for nine years after their marriage); her unhappy son and heir, Paul; her beloved grandchildren; and her “favorites”—the parade of young men from whom she sought companionship and the recapture of youth as well as sex. Here, too, is the giant figure of Gregory Potemkin, her most significant lover and possible husband, with whom she shared a passionate correspondence of love and separation, followed by seventeen years of unparalleled mutual achievement.

The story is superbly told. All the special qualities that Robert K. Massie brought to Nicholas and Alexandra and Peter the Great are present here: historical accuracy, depth of understanding, felicity of style, mastery of detail, ability to shatter myth, and a rare genius for finding and expressing the human drama in extraordinary lives.

History offers few stories richer in drama than that of Catherine the Great. In this book, this eternally fascinating woman is returned to life.

by Robert K. Massie

About the Author:

Robert K. Massie was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and studied American history at Yale and European history at Oxford, which he attended as a Rhodes Scholar. He was president of the Authors Guild from 1987 to 1991. His previous books include Nicholas and Alexandra, Peter the Great: His Life and World (for which he won a Pulitzer Prize for biography), The Romanovs: The Final Chapter, Dreadnought: Britain, Germany, and the Coming of the Great War, and Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea

by Robert K. Massie

PRAISE FOR CATHERINE THE GREAT

"Massie once again delivers a masterful, intimate, and tantalizing portrait of a majestic monarch."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"[A] rich, nuanced examination of Russia's lone female leader..."—The Daily Beast

“What Catherine the Great offers is a great story in the hands of a master storyteller.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Dense and detailed, enriched by pages of full-color illustrations, Massie’s latest will transport history lovers.” —People

“What a woman, what a world, what a biography.” —USA Today

“[Massie] hasn’t lost his mojo. . . . a consistently nimble and buoyant performances . . . [Massie] has always been a biographer with the instincts of a novelist. He understands plot—fate—as a function of character, and the narrative perspective he establishes and maintains, a vision tightly aligned with that of his subject, convinces a reader he’s not so much looking at Catherine the Great as he is out of her eyes. . . juicy and suspenseful.” — Kathryn Harrison, The New York Times Book Review

“A meticulously, dramatically rendered biography…” —O, The Oprah Magazine

“What a Woman!” —Elle magazine

“In Catherine the Great, Massie has created a sensitive and compelling portrait not just of a Russian titan, but also of a flesh-and-blood woman.”—Newsweek

“[A] meticulously detailed work about Catherine and her world…Massie makes Catherine’s story as gripping as that of any novel. His book does full justice to a complex and fascinating woman and to the age in which she lived.” — Historical Novels Review

When is this? Did I miss the announcement?

This will begin in July Virginia, we have not announced this as yet.

Oh! I got so excited when I read this announcement I was dancing in my chair :)

I think you will be even more excited when we begin reading the book.

I, too, am intrigued.

I don't want to over-commit, but this book sounds very interesting also. I hope I can carve out the time to join in.

Of course, Alisa will be thrilled to see the interest.

Bentley wrote: "Of course, Alisa will be thrilled to see the interest."

I am indeed! The more the merrier keeps the dialogue active and engaging for everyone.

Funny, I went to add this to my wishlist to order it, and tada! It was already there LOL

I will be assisting Alisa with this special spotlight read and it is exciting to see the interest that it has generated. We hope to see you all join in the discussion.

This looks like a wonderful read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Nicholas and Alexandra.

Robert K. Massie

I have already read it, and I have to say, like most of Massie's books, it reads beautifully. Having just finished Elizabeth the Queen by Smith, I can see the successful female regent has a focus, dedication and armor that others do not have.

by Sally Bedell Smith

You will see me around as back-up for Alisa, as well. This should be a good one and I expect I will learn a lot.

I'm looking forward to it. I really enjoy Russian history.

I too will try to work this one in this summer.

Like G, I too have read it already and have nothing but good to say about it. It's wonderfully written and I learned a great deal about Catherine and the time period. I look forward to dropping in on your discussions.

We would love to have all of you. This discussion will not be starting until mid summer.

This sounds right up my alley! I'm off to print the syllabus. :)

Great.

I would love to participate.

If I am selected I will follow the above rules by reading the book in a timely manner, actively participate in the discussions, and will post my review of the book when finished here on Goodreads. I agree to abide by all terms and conditions as specified. What a great choice for a book read.

I'm definitely interested in participating in my first Special Spotlight. I agree to follow all the t&c's and follow along with the discussions.

I am definitely interested in this book and conversation. I will, of course, follow the rules and participate.

I'm interested in participating in the discussions for this book, too. I agree to the terms and conditions as well.

Will do that right now :)

I would really like and enjoy a copy of "Catherine the Great" by Massie to partake in the discussion.

Oh my, Random House publishes such amazing books! I'd love to participate if possible. I already checked my local library branches and NONE of the 24 copies are available! Must be quite a read.

I am a new member of this book club, but am looking forward to participating in this discussion. Count me in, please!

Bentley wrote: "All, we have just opened this up so we want folks to have an opportunity to express their interest. We need to hear that you would accept the t's and c's first and foremost and you can state that ..."

I am interested and agree to the t and c's. Sending PM now.

I sent you a PM with my contact information. Thanks and I fully agree to the terms and conditions. I am new to the group and look forward to participating.

I agree to the terms and conditions and look forward to participating if I'm selected.

Greg

I agree to the terms and conditions and just PM-ed my info.

Thank you Bentley, I really enjoyed participating in Elizabeth II and I would like to be involved in Catherine as well. I will observe all the requirements.
Barbara Anne Waite

Bentley.. I am interested and agree to the terms

As a current History student at Suffolk University in Boston, I'd love to read this. I agree to the terms and conditions as well.

Bentley..I am very interested and agree to the terms!!

Hello Bentley
I would be very interested in participating and agree to the terms and conditions. This will be my first foray into the book club! I'll send a pm.

Bentley I'm interested and agree to terms.

Bentley, I'm interested and would love to participate fully and abide by the terms.

Bentley - I'm interested and agree to the terms.

I'm very interested as well and agree to the terms and conditions!

I would greatly enjoy reading this book Catherine.

I just got the e-mail this morning with the announcement. I'd love to have a free copy, but my month is very full and likely will not be able to keep up. It's GREAT That the publisher is doing this though! Mr. Massie is my all-time-favorite non-fiction author.

Yes Bentley- I will observe and agree to all the T's & C's
Barb

I agree to the terms, and would definitely like to read this.

Hi Bentley. I would love to participate and agree to the terms.

Hi. I agree to the terms and conditions and am interested in participating. Thanks!