Secret Lives of the Tsars

Three Centuries of Autocracy, Debauchery, Betrayal, Murder, and Madness from Romanov Russia

By: Michael Farquhar

Narrated by: Enn Reitel

“Michael Farquhar doesn’t write about history the way, say, Doris Kearns Goodwin does. He writes about history the way Doris Kearns Goodwin’s smart-ass, reprobate kid brother might. I, for one, prefer it.”—Gene Weingarten, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Washington Post columnist

Scandal! Intrigue! Cossacks! Here the world’s most engaging royal historian chronicles the world’s most fascinating imperial dynasty: the Romanovs, whose three-hundred-year reign was remarkable for its shocking violence, spectacular excess, and unimaginable venality. In this incredibly entertaining history, Michael Farquhar collects the best, most captivating true tales of Romanov iniquity. We meet Catherine the Great, with her endless parade of virile young lovers (none of them of the equine variety); her unhinged son, Paul I, who ordered the bones of one of his mother’s paramours dug out of its grave and tossed into a gorge; and Grigori Rasputin, the “Mad Monk,” whose mesmeric domination of the last of the Romanov tsars helped lead to the monarchy’s undoing.

From Peter the Great’s penchant for personally beheading his recalcitrant subjects (he kept the severed head of one of his mistresses pickled in alcohol) to Nicholas and Alexandra’s brutal demise at the hands of the Bolsheviks, Secret Lives of the Tsars captures all the splendor and infamy that was Imperial Russia.

©2014 Michael Farquhar (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An accessible, exciting narrative . . . Highly recommended for generalists interested in Russian history and those who enjoy the seamier side of past lives.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“An excellent condensed version of Russian history . . . a fine tale of history and scandal . . . sure to please general readers and monarchy buffs alike.”—Publishers Weekly

“Tales from the nasty lives of global royalty . . . an easy-reading, lightweight history lesson.”—Kirkus Reviews

Just what I was looking for.

The history of Russia is fascinating to me. This is a linear, graphic story of each of the Tsars. I have listened to this book several times.. Best book I have read that includes all of the Tsars, in succession.

Not quite as secret as I'd hoped...

But pleasant enough listen. My only complaint would be the ending, when I felt like the author was trying to make us feel sorry for the Romanovs after spending so much time detailing how they rushed headlong into a disaster so many others saw coming.

A good introduction to the Romanovs

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I think that this book was a nice overview of the Romanov family. I am in no way any sort of expert in this area, but I feel like I was given a good taste of the families history. It has mad me want to learn more about this dynasty in Russian history. I am sure if you are a history buff you may know all the stories of the Russian royalty in this book and probably more. For those who may not know the history this is a wonderful starting point.

Russia Out Loud

If you could sum up Secret Lives of the Tsars in three words, what would they be?

Having just return from Russia and walked in the palaces of St.Petersburg and Moscow I found this book fascinating. A truly grand performance.

What did you like best about this story?

That it was true.

Have you listened to any of Enn Reitel’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No just facination of Russian history

There's no secret about this book....

Book is OK, but if "you" know anything about the russian zcars, there's no secret to it - its all common knowledge...
I was disappointed

great book great narrator

loved it I thought this was a great historical rendition of what happened with the czars in Russia it funny and sad and crazy all at the same time I'd read it again

entertaining history

True history Buffs would like some of the information that I found in this book. Your also going to be disappointed with the fact that the writer was more interested in the sex life of the czar's versus their accomplishments and their failures and mistakes. it's hard to get faster 42 the book but it's worth it if you get to the end it is a good story.

At best, a 2.5 to 3.0 rated book

This book is no better than pedestrian. My guess is the author spent the Summer in the library with his research assistant and this is the product of their labor. A very light read.

Caution... gruesome. Dead babies. Ugh.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Those with a strong stomach and no children of their own might enjoy it more.

Has Secret Lives of the Tsars turned you off from other books in this genre?

Maybe

What does Enn Reitel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration was superb - I just didn't enjoy the work.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Secret Lives of the Tsars?

Well, pretty much all of it.

Any additional comments?

I guess I wanted more debauchery and less murder. I had to stop listening because it was just horrible death after horrible death. If that's your thing, go for it. I'm returning it.

Beware

Very disturbing ending. Very graphic. Too much information. Listen at own risk. It bothered me and I am not usually squeamish.