| Robert K. Massie's has exhaustively researched his subject and gives great detail into the life of one of Russia's most well known monarchs. Peter was born in 1672 into the backward and far-flung Muscovy Empire. Peter changed the face of Russia, adopting many aspects of the French court in Moscow and later his newly built capital, "the Venice of the North" St. Petersburg.
His modernizing of the Russian military stemmed from his own knowledge of shipbuilding learned in Holland and love of military learning. He waged wars against Sweden, the vast Ottoman Empire (Turkey, Hungary, etc.), and survived political intrigues within his nation. Peter turned the collection of nation states he inherited into a powerhouse country to be reckoned with in both Europe and Asia up to the time of his death in 1725. | ||
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Plot & Themes Ethnic/Relig. of subject (inside) Job/profession/poverty story Yes Ethnic/regional/gender Yes War/Cloak & Dagger story? - Led as soldier Politician story? - Politician trying to reform War/Spying Yes Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 - Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - Russian Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 () Europe Yes European country: - France - Russian Asia/Pacific Yes Asian country: - Russia Misc setting - Fancy Mansion - fort/military installation Century: - 18th century Writing Style Book makes you feel? - in awe Pictures/Illustrations? - A ton 16-20 B&W How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 76%-100% of book |
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