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Judith E's Reviews > Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman
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How this woman ever achieved a semblance of normalcy and clear sightedness is a testament to the resiliency of the human brain. Disliked by her mother, used as a marriage pawn, manipulated by the Russian crown, isolated in the palace with her immature and odd betrothed, she overcame these obstacles to rule a powerful and respected Russian Empire for 34 years.
Fueled by a quick mind, a love of reading, and a commitment to Enlightenment theory, she successfully fought wars, challenged the Justice system, and improved education, medical care, and the arts. She built a Navy, guided her people through a pandemic, snuffed an insurrection, and expanded the Empire. She lamented over her inability to free the serfs, she strongly believed in autocratic rule, and her never ending search for a suitable lifelong partner was unfulfilled.
This well written account uses Catherine’s personal journals and letters as well as correspondence from other leaders of the time. Not only is this a look into Catherine the Great’s life, but the influence of the shifting events in Europe and America during her reign are clearly presented.
Highly recommended if you’re into this kind of stuff.
Fueled by a quick mind, a love of reading, and a commitment to Enlightenment theory, she successfully fought wars, challenged the Justice system, and improved education, medical care, and the arts. She built a Navy, guided her people through a pandemic, snuffed an insurrection, and expanded the Empire. She lamented over her inability to free the serfs, she strongly believed in autocratic rule, and her never ending search for a suitable lifelong partner was unfulfilled.
This well written account uses Catherine’s personal journals and letters as well as correspondence from other leaders of the time. Not only is this a look into Catherine the Great’s life, but the influence of the shifting events in Europe and America during her reign are clearly presented.
Highly recommended if you’re into this kind of stuff.
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Reading Progress
November 16, 2021
– Shelved
November 16, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
November 16, 2021
– Shelved as:
non-fiction
December 1, 2021
–
Started Reading
December 14, 2021
– Shelved as:
russia
December 14, 2021
–
Finished Reading
March 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
politics
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Diane
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rated it 3 stars
Dec 14, 2021 07:02AM
I read this a few years ago and loved it. How she did what she did, in Russia of all places!
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I wasn't sure if I'd like this but now I think I would. She sounds like she was a remarkable woman.
Glad to see you liked this one as much as I did. Her hubby was kind of a freak, poor guy. 😜
Excellent review Judith. I must read a biography of Catherine the Great one day.
Diane wrote: "I read this a few years ago and loved it. How she did what she did, in Russia of all places!"She was a political genius.
Jenna wrote: "I wasn't sure if I'd like this but now I think I would. She sounds like she was a remarkable woman."It really is an inspiration. There are a few short battle scenes which I struggled through, but mostly a riveting account.
Jeanette (Ms. Feisty) wrote: "Glad to see you liked this one as much as I did. Her hubby was kind of a freak, poor guy. 😜"But all those “favorites”!!! How did she have time?
Linda wrote: "Wonderful review, Judith."Thanks, Linda. The biography was well done and we’re lucky to have Catherine’s journals.
Hee hee. How indeed?!
Ian wrote: "Excellent review Judith. I must read a biography of Catherine the Great one day."I think you’d like this, Ian.
Judith, I admire the way you summed up this great woman’s life story and achievements. Whenever I come across the life stories of women in power I can’t help thinking that they must have put in double the effort, if only to make sure they weren’t weaker than their male counterparts.
Violeta wrote: "Judith, I admire the way you summed up this great woman’s life story and achievements. Whenever I come across the life stories of women in power I can’t help thinking that they must have put in dou..."Violeta-for that exact reason I was thinking this book should be read by young women as they enter their professional careers. Catherine’s perseverance and her leadership qualities are to be modeled.
Excellent review, Judith E. I read this and other Massie books a few years ago and they are all top drawer. And at least this book puts paid to some of the ridiculous rumours about Catherine.
Jill wrote: "Excellent review, Judith E. I read this and other Massie books a few years ago and they are all top drawer. And at least this book puts paid to some of the ridiculous rumours about Catherine."Yes, I noticed he did not even hint at that particularly strange myth. The truth was strange enough.
It seems like she was a great woman with a great resilient mind. Great review, Judith.
Pedro wrote: "It seems like she was a great woman with a great resilient mind. Great review, Judith."Catherine was great, but Ivan was terrible!!!
Sounds intriguing, Judith. I do like this kind of stuff.
Barbara wrote: "Sounds intriguing, Judith. I do like this kind of stuff."An excellent biography and a page turner for me.
Excellent review, Judith! I've been wanting to read this, now it's a must :)
Lisa wrote: "Great review!"Thanks, Lisa. She ruled like she was truly the mother of the Russian people.
Beata wrote: "Excellent review, Judith! I've been wanting to read this, now it's a must :)"You must read this, but you will not be pleased with her actions in Poland. I didn’t realize Poland and Russia shared so much.
Splendid review, Judith! I am definitely into this kind of stuff, and I thank you for the reminder I've been wanting to read this :)
Candi wrote: "Splendid review, Judith! I am definitely into this kind of stuff, and I thank you for the reminder I've been wanting to read this :)"You won’t believe what she went through as a child and then how she became fairly benevolent.
Judith, I love well-written historical fiction. Your review makes it sound like a must read. Thanks.
Anne (On semi-hiatus) wrote: "Judith, I love well-written historical fiction. Your review makes it sound like a must read. Thanks."It’s non-fiction, but it reads like fiction, Anne.
Judith wrote: "Anne (On semi-hiatus) wrote: "Judith, I love well-written historical fiction. Your review makes it sound like a must read. Thanks."It’s non-fiction, but it reads like fiction, Anne."
That sounds perfect!
Yes, a remarkable historical figure and a terrific review Judith!!
Mark wrote: "Yes, a remarkable historical figure and a terrific review Judith!!"Thanks Mark. It was an excellent book.
Great review. I agree with your comments. The story of her as a young girl and woman being put in such a strange situation, and managing to navigate it skillfully, was particularly interesting to me.
