For over three centuries the Romanov tsars directed the destiny of the Russian nation. This absorbing Anvil book traces the rise and fall of this powerful family from the accession of the first Romanov in 1613 to the abdication of Nicholas II in 1917. By dictating Russia's foreign policy,
the Romanovs strongly influenced the course of modern European history. Their unyielding policies at home, aimed at perpetuating absolute monarchy, led inexorably to revolution. This brief, lively history of Russia's social, economic, and political development provides information essential to an understanding of the Soviet Union; it is also a fascinating story in its own right. |