The Romanovs were the most successful dynasty of modern times ruling a sixth of the worlds surface for three centuries. How did one family turn a war-ruined principality into the worlds greatest empire? And how did they lose it all?
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This is the intimate story of twenty tsars and tsarinas some touched by genius some by madness but all inspired by holy autocracy and imperial ambition. Simon Sebag Montefiores gripping chronicle reveals their secret world of unlimited power and ruthless empire-building overshadowed by palace conspiracy family rivalries sexual decadence and wild extravagance with a global cast of adventurers courtesans revolutionaries and poets from Ivan the Terrible to Tolstoy and Pushkin to Bismarck Lincoln Queen Victoria and Lenin.

To rule Russia was both imperial-sacred mission and poisoned chalice: six of the last twelve tsars were murdered. Peter the Great tortured his own son to death while making Russia an empire and dominated his court with a dining club notable for compulsory drunkenness naked dwarfs and fancy dress. Catherine the Great overthrew her own husband (who was murdered soon afterward)?? enjoyed affairs with a series of young male favorites?? conquered Ukraine and fascinated Europe. Paul I was strangled by courtiers backed by his own son?? Alexander I?? who in turn faced Napoleon??s invasion and