Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs Audiobook

On the centenary of the death of Rasputin comes a definitive biography that will dramatically change our understanding of this fascinating figure A hundred years after his murder, Rasputin continues to excite the popular imagination as the personification of evil. Numerous biographies, novels, and films recount his mysterious rise to power as Nicholas and Alexandra's confidant and the guardian of the sickly heir to the Russian throne. His debauchery and sinister political influence are the stuff of legend, and the downfall of the Romanov dynasty was laid at his feet. But as the prizewinning historian Douglas Smith shows, the true story of Rasputin's life and death has remained shrouded in myth. A major new work that combines probing scholarship and powerful storytelling, Rasputin separates fact from fiction to reveal the real life of one of history's most alluring figures. Drawing on a wealth of forgotten documents from archives in seven countries, Smith presents Rasputin in all his complexity--man of God, voice of peace, loyal subject, adulterer, drunkard. Rasputin is not just a definitive biography of an extraordinary and legendary man but a fascinating portrait of the twilight of imperial Russia as it lurched toward catastrophe.

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"Smith has done a very deep dive into Rasputin's history. It paints a more complete picture than the quick summary that many histories of the Russian revolution do. It shows a more clear picture of Rasputin's actions and interference, and the results. However, also be advised that Rasputin was active in a time when records were scarce and his personal history only became of interest when it intersected with that of more significant historical figures. Some parts of the book are speculation by the author. Keep up with the mix of fact and guess as you read."

— Bur (4 out of 5 stars)