Peter the Great: His Life and World
by Robert K. Massie
934 pages
Random House
Published: 1980

‘Peter the Great: His Life and World‘ is Robert Massie’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Russia’s Peter I.  Massie was a journalist and historian who also wrote best-selling biographies of Nicholas and Alexandra Romanov and Catherine the Great. Massie died in 2019 at the age of ninety.

Peter the Great (1672 – 1725) is an irresistible and transformational figure in Russian history, responsible for modernizing his country’s culture and customs, launching a significant industrialization effort and significantly strengthening his country’s military posture. He had more than a dozen children by two wives (after he divorced his first wife he had her confined to a convent) and proves to be a biographer’s dream. He was inquisitive, mercurial, contemplative, demanding and surprisingly forward-thinking.

Massie illuminates every facet of Peter’s personality in this lengthy, frequently dense and impressively captivating biography. It is an epic, extraordinary and often brilliantly-hued adventure that sweeps the reader through Russia during the late 17th and early 18th century.  While no prior knowledge of Russia or the Romanov dynasty is required…it would prove beneficial.

Massie’s knowledge of Peter and his world is nothing short of encyclopedic and he deftly describes the major and minor events of his subject’s life in a way that resonates with readers of all levels of historical fluency. Massie spares little expense when describing the texture of Peter’s world – from the daily life of Russian peasants to the country’s physical contours and from the unique customs of Russian society to the intersection of its culture and religion.

Among the book’s best moments: Massie’s description of Peter’s step-sister and her efforts to rule Russia, his 18-month journey (semi-incognito) through Europe to better understand its customs, culture and competitive strengths, and rich descriptions of late 17th-century Amsterdam and London. Also impressive – is Massie’s discussion of the tactics and protocol of warfare in Peter’s era and his exposition of the Ottoman Empire. But the highlight for me is probably the tragic tale of Peter’s relationship with his son Alexis – raised in the hope he would rule Russia one day – which ended with the torture and death of the young Tsarevich.

Readers lacking any familiarity with Russian or European history during Peter’s time will likely find this book to be both fascinating and frustrating.  A deep, considered appreciation for Peter’s military goals, his diplomatic endeavors and his modernization efforts can probably be obtained ex nihilo, but some pre-existing background will undoubtedly prove helpful.

Readers of all stripes, however, are likely to find this book an intimidating collection of unfamiliar but important names – of adversaries, advisers, mentors, proteges, family members and friends. They grow increasingly difficult to keep straight as Peter’s story fully unfolds. Finally, portions of the narrative dedicated to Russia’s multi-year war against Sweden quickly grow increasingly tedious rather than tantalizing. A few well-placed maps would have been helpful.

Overall, Robert Massie’s biography of Peter the Great is a literary and historical masterpiece. It is simultaneously sweeping, deep, colorful, insightful and thorough. Readers with an interest in early Russian history will find it enthralling; those with less background will nevertheless find that the greater-than-average investment is handsomely rewarded.

Overall rating: 4¼ stars