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

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

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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Douglas Smith, a historian, draws from several archived historical documents to dispel many myths about Rasputin while chronicling his life and journey from his early and humble years in Siberia to the upper echelons of Russian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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Carribean By James Michener

Book Review: Caribbean by James Michener

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In this historical masterpiece, James Michener sweeps the reader into the beauty and turmoil surrounding his lead character which is not a person, rather but a place- the Caribbean. The book spanning, several centuries starting with the 1300s and ending in 1989, consists of 16 chapters that familiarize the reader with various native tribes, conquerors, pirates and buccaneers who either lived or traveled through this region. It vividly describes how the world powers of the day scrambled for king and country, to gain control of the Caribbean trade routes and the vast natural resources that the islands of (list them) provided. Michener in an unimposing but captivating manner, introduces you to to famous and infamous historical characters such as Christopher Colombus, Sir Francis Drake, Henry Morgan, King Philip and Admiral Ledesma.

Michener tackles several themes including the ever-present battle between tradition and change, racism, familial obligation, nationalism and religion and how the various characters' lives were forever changed as a result of their obligations-real or perceived-to these themes.

Avid readers will enjoy this book for in it is a double treat. First it is an well-written work of fiction and second, it weaves within its pages an underlying history lesson. The reverse however, will be found in readers who may tire at the drawn out references to the past, preferring rather, to leave the history lesson in text books and not in works of fiction.

About The Author

The late James Michener (1907-1997) was an American author who in 1948 was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In his lifetime, he wrote over 40 books, several of which were adapted into film, a miniseries and a broadway musical. He preferred to write about long family chronicles that leaned heavily on real historical events. Some of his popular works include, Tales of the South Pacific, which garnered him the Pulitzer prize, The Fires of Spring, Alaska, Hawaii, Texas and The Caribbean among others. He also authored a non-fiction book titled Iberia and a memoir called, the World Is My Home and Sports in America. Michener was a great philanthropist who in his lifetime, donated over $100 million to cultural educational and writing institutions.

Caribbean

Author: James A. Michener
Setting: The Caribbean
Publisher:Dial Press Trade Paperback
Publication Date: 1989. Reprint Edition December 13, 2005
Pages: 896
ISBN-10: 0812974921
ISBN-13: 978-0812974928
Special Features: Map of the Caribbean

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Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs by Douglas Smith