Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K Massie is the extraordinary story of an obscure young German princess who travelled to Russia at the tender age of fourteen and rose to become one of
the most powerful, and captivating women in history.

I had previously read Massie's [b:Nicholas and Alexandra|133486|Nicholas and Alexandra|Robert K. Massie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1333577599l/133486._SY75_.jpg|2453716] which was wonderful and I was really interested in reading about Catherine the Great.

Massie did extensive research on this book. It is Catherine’s detailed and excellent memoirs and letters from which Massie quotes liberally which make it possible for him to write such a wonderful detailed portrait of this Woman and her time in history. Mr. Massie writes elegantly and knows how to get the readers attention and I found myself totally invested in this story and its characters.

I loved reading this book and really learned so much. I spent a lot of time googing places and palaces in Russia that I was totally side-tracked for much of the novel. I did finish the book feeling some compassion for Catherine and her life at court, but I was stunned at the opulence and behaviour of those within the Russian court.

Lovers of history will not be disappointed with this extensively researched and easy to read story that flows from beginning to end. ( )

Really good book - I wish the book on the Romanov's was audio and at the local library...
( )

Biography of Catherine the Great

A veeery detailed account. But it looks like the author sympathizes with his heroine.

Most of the book had me very interested. I don't know much about Russian history and it was nice to learn so many new things. I had to force myself near the end unfortunately. Also, I was not at all interested in the sexual deviancy of a philosopher. It wasn't necessary to add those details, in my opinion. ( )