Book Review: Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs

Image Cover: Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs

Rating:

The turn of the 20^th century was a period of great uncertainty for monarchies world wide. The old ways were slowly dying off in the wake of socio-political progressiveness and the impending World War. Russia was no exception to these changes and as was the case when Tsar Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra sat on the throne.  Legend has it that Alexandra’s dabbling into the widely accepted practices of theosophy and occultism drew her to this clairvoyant monk with supposed healing powers. Though she and her husband met him in 1905, it wasn’t until 1907 that his influence over the Tsarina began to take root. Her son had taken ill and Rasputin, she believed, had healed him.  History differs on the extent of Rasputin’s powers and indiscretions with many claiming that he was among other things, a lecher whose grubby hands dared touch the Empress herself, a charlatan, a German spy and the epitome of evil.  Yet many agree that this mysterious and divisive figure was an integral part of the eventual and tragic undoing Romanov monarchy.

Author Spotlight:

Douglas Smith, a historian, draws from several archived historical documents to dispel many myths about Rasputin while chronicling his life and journey from his early and humble years in Siberia to the upper echelons of Russian aristocracy. Smith takes on the role of devil’s advocate, highlighting that much of Rasputin’s bad reputation was the result of a carefully constructed narrative by his enemies who included members of the royal family, the clergy and even the Russian parliament-the Duma. As with many historical narratives, the details may prove to be a tough chew and the same can be said of this book. Through his reliance on documented history through archives and letters and his careful explaining of each to give the reader context and understanding, the narrative sometimes borders on tedious. However, if you plod along, you will find that the book proves to be an interesting and informative account of one of the most mythical figures in history.  

Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs

Author: Douglas Smith
Setting: Early 20th Century Russia
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 1St Edition edition (November 22, 2016)
Publication Date: 1989. Reprint Edition December 13, 2005
Pages: 848
ISBN-10: 0374240841
ISBN-13: 978-0374240844

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