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Summary: The best biography of this century
Review: Peter the Great was a complex, even contradictory character. An all-powerful despot who preferred carpentry to war; a violent spouse-abuser who ensured his wife would rule as Autocrat after his death; a loving father who caused the death of his only son; Peter was all of these. Yet he was also a glittering figure on the international stage, a daredevil, a father to his people, and the most hated, respected, and loved man in Europe.Who better to explain the psychology and the life of such a man than Robert Massie? Massie is a superb storyteller, capable of making even the most complex and abstruse points understandable to the average reader. He makes Peter come to life, not as a dry, dusty historical character but as a wonderfully alive, supremely dangerous man -- a man you'd love to meet but one you'd hate to have to live under. I strongly recommend this book.
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Summary: I Couldn't Put It Down
Review: This book is a fascinating account of Russia's social and cultural awakening. The chapters covering Peter's tour of Europe and the war against Sweden contain a tremendous amount of detail, but the writing is never tedious. Besides telling you just about everything you'd want to know about Peter the Great, Massie gives a very poignant account of Charles XII of Sweden. If you want to understand how Russia became Westernized, this is a great place to start.
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Summary: Great Biography!
Review: This was not only one of the best and most exhaustive books written about a world leader, but also one of the best biographies I have ever read. Clear, informative, well researched and most important of all- entertaining! you don't have to be a scholar or even a history buff to enjoy this book.
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Summary: Detailed biography of an amazing ruler...
Review: I read this book for a history report in college, and although when I saw the size of the book I almost chose someone else to research (the book is nearly 900 pages and I usually stick to fiction), I am so glad I stuck with it. Massie seems to have overlooked nothing in this expansive biography. After reading this book, I felt like I had a complete grasp on late 17th/early 18th century Europe, and I found myself telling my roomates anecdotes about Peter and his family. I also enjoyed the mini-biography of Charles of Sweden...I'll have to read a book about him next! Pick this one up- you'll love it!
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Summary: A great book
Review: An Exhaustive work on Russian History. I was absorbed in this book and brought back to the late 1600s and early 1700s. This book goes into such detail that you feel like you have lived through what you have read.It's like traveling in a time machine.You feel like you were a participant in thw war between Sweden and Russia. You feel like you know the life of Peter The Great as well as we know the life of Monica Liwinsky and Bill Clinton.A very Great Book.
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Summary: A classic work on a fascinating man
Review: I am working on a doctorate in Russian history, and, consequently, have read many, many, books on Russia. This book is by far the best book on Russian history. Robert Massie's Peter the Great is an elegantly-written work which not only provides abundant and overflowing information about the "great" man, but which, like no other book, transports the reader into the world of late 17th century and early 18th century Russia. I know that many "serious historians" pooh-pooh this work and others because it is not "serious history." This attitude is tragic. If you are interested at all in good history and good story-telling, this is the book for you, even if your interest is not specifically in Russian history. The author presents his subject, Peter the Great, as a "real person"--one with both inspiring qualities and with not so inspiring qualities. Yes, there are alot of details about the military, however, these details all illustrate Peter's great attention to the creation of a navy from scratch and of the development of an army that went on to rival the greatest in the world. I cannot say enough good things about this book, and cannot thank the author enough for having written it and having inspired me to continue my own studies.
Rating: 
Summary: One Hell Of A Book
Review: This is an exhaustive biography and a great read. My only complaint is that it gets bogged down with too much detail about battle plans and military strategy. Many readers will like this, but I'm not one who reads history to memorize numbers of cavalry, troop movements, etc. Its not a fault of the book, but if I had known I would have to devote so much time to things that don't really interest me, I would not have started reading it. However, I did finish the book because Peter the Great is such a fascinating subject.
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Summary: Massie the Great
Review: Wow! Massie's Peter The Great is a fascinating study; an enjoyable read and a spectacular trip back through Russian history in the early 1700's. Even if you are not a history buff, you will enjoy Peter's thirst for knowledge, personal hands-on development of the Russian Navy, his massive economic, architectural and social reforms, ingenious manner of self-education by traveling incognito throughout Western Europe, his unique personality displayed through a mock Tsar who promotes Peter to Vice-Admiral, all-night drinking binges with his mock court and Peter's personal heroics. Peter certainly earned his title and likewise I feel Massie can add "The Great" to his name. The best compliment I can give to Massie is I now have a tremendous thirst to study Peter's archenemy, Charles Xll, and learn Charles's perspective of Peter The Great. Buy the book
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Rarely is a biography so exciting . . . but then not every subject is as passionate and interesting as Peter. It's a great ride watching Peter build Russia's navy from scratch, staging mock battles anywhere he can fit his ships, and eventually producing the greatest navy in the world (as well as an equally wonderful army). A story of a military genius, and a visionary who built St. Petersburg because of his hatred of Moscow. He was not without his flaws but the way he seems to have to no problem starting from the very bottom and working his way up (as he did in his own army) is very admirable. You won't be dissapointed with this one.
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Summary: THE GOLD STANDARD
Review: The standard against which ALL books should be measured. So well written, most other books pale by comparison. Paints a wonderfully rich and complete picture of Peter and his Russian empire. This book has everything; description, analysis, drama, and history. My life is richer for having read it.
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