Nicholas II

School Library Journal

Gr 7-12 Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and reproductions, this chronicle of the collapse of an era reads like a perverted fairy tale, incredible in retrospect. Immature and unready at 25, Nicholas II, the last Czar of all the Russias, assumed the throne in 1896. His coronation debacle foreshadowed his inept reign which finally ended in 1918 with the execution of the entire family. Following in the footsteps of his oppressive father, Nicholas was dominated by his German wife, Alexis, who was ruled in turn by mystics and hangers-on, including the evil Rasputin. Disastrous wars and alliances combined with intolerable domestic policies to bring the country to revolution. A readable text, highlighted by quotes from Nicholas' contemporaries and from later historians, and profuse illustrations make this an excellent background study as well as a fascinating biography. Ann Donovan, Central Washington University, Ellensburg