Grigori Rasputin, a barely literate peasant from Siberia, is one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in modern history. In a bizarre reversal of the Great Man Theory of History he had no official position and no mass following, yet unintentionally he became the major contributor to the collapse of the greatest autocracy in the world.
The Empress Alexandra’s infatuation with Rasputin, the only person who could heal her son, made the Tsar appear a weak or complacent cuckold. Scandalously false rumours that Rasputin was even sleeping with their daughters proved stronger than the truth. In Russia’s deeply patriarchal society such impressions shattered the myth of Romanov power built up by Nicholas’s father Alexander III. By the time of the popular uprising of February1917, the Tsar had lost so much respect that hardly a single officer from the Imperial Life Guard regiments was prepared to raise a sword in his defence.
Using eye-witness accounts and the vast resources of the Russian archives at a difficult time, Antony Beevor has woven a fascinating story of human perversity.
A stunning achievement of psychological insight, deep research, and evocative prose. Beevor’s RASPUTIN not only captures the mysterious Siberian holy man in all his bizarre complexity—the feverish religiosity, the preening ambition, the drunken lust as well as the sincere concern for the peasantry and fear of war—but also paints a vivid portrait of Tsarist Russia hurtling toward the abyss.
Totally fascinating, compelling and beautifully written. In its deep political and psychological understanding of Rasputin, the Romanovs and Russia itself, this book is intriguing and original. One of the great stories of history, told by one of our greatest historians.
From Antony Beevor’s scrupulous history, Rasputin emerges as even more bizarre and fascinating than the creature of popular myth.
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Who was Grigory Rasputin? Shaman, healer, abuser of women, favourite of the Tsaritsa, this is the peasant who altered Russian history. In this stunning banquet of a book, Antony Beevor gives us the rich and ripe flavour of his shape-shifting powers.
- Rose Tremain
A wonderful book. Rasputins fantastical story anticipates our own truth-challenged times, when myth and fake news can be more potent than reality.
- Luke Harding