Empress Alexandra Romanov – the last empress of Russia, wife of Tsar Nicholas II, and now a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church – chose Countess Sophie Buxhoeveden, one of her ladies-in-waiting, to be her authorized biographer, opening up to her about her closest relationships and giving her access to copies of her private correspondence. Additionally, as a lady-in-waiti Empress Alexandra Romanov – the last empress of Russia, wife of Tsar Nicholas II, and now a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church – chose Countess Sophie Buxhoeveden, one of her ladies-in-waiting, to be her authorized biographer, opening up to her about her closest relationships and giving her access to copies of her private correspondence. Additionally, as a lady-in-waiting, Countess Buxhoeveden attended on the Empress for much of the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, only leaving her side when the Imperial Family was removed to Tobolsk after the Tsar’s abdication in 1917. Thereafter, she followed the Empress to Tobolsk, and then to Ekaterinburg, where the entire Imperial Family, some of the Court suite and some of their servants met their deaths on July 17, 1918. The portrait the Countess paints of the Empress is of a warm, shy, kind and generous woman, devoted to Russia, her husband and her children, deeply charitable in word and deed, and a committed friend and mistress, but ill-starred, physically sick, maligned, misunderstood and much plotted against. The character descriptions in this book also include those for Tsar Nicholas, each of the children – OTMA and the Tsarevitch – Grand Duchess Ella (the Empress’ sister), Ania Vyrubova (the Empress’ most intimate friend), Rasputin and Kerensky (the Head of the Provisional Government that took power after the abdication of the Tsar and before the ascendancy of the Bolsheviks). The narrative also describes in detail the daily domestic life of the Imperial Family, and each of their trips to other parts of Russia and abroad in peace and war. It is rare for the author of any authorized biography to know her subject so familiarly and for so long, and to have been a first-hand witness to almost everything that happened for much of her life, and it is this that makes ‘The Tragic Empress’ such an intriguing and compelling book.
The Tragic Empress: The Authorized Biography of Alexandra Romanov
Empress Alexandra Romanov – the last empress of Russia, wife of Tsar Nicholas II, and now a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church – chose Countess Sophie Buxhoeveden, one of her ladies-in-waiting, to be her authorized biographer, opening up to her about her closest relationships and giving her access to copies of her private correspondence. Additionally, as a lady-in-waiti Empress Alexandra Romanov – the last empress of Russia, wife of Tsar Nicholas II, and now a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church – chose Countess Sophie Buxhoeveden, one of her ladies-in-waiting, to be her authorized biographer, opening up to her about her closest relationships and giving her access to copies of her private correspondence. Additionally, as a lady-in-waiting, Countess Buxhoeveden attended on the Empress for much of the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, only leaving her side when the Imperial Family was removed to Tobolsk after the Tsar’s abdication in 1917. Thereafter, she followed the Empress to Tobolsk, and then to Ekaterinburg, where the entire Imperial Family, some of the Court suite and some of their servants met their deaths on July 17, 1918. The portrait the Countess paints of the Empress is of a warm, shy, kind and generous woman, devoted to Russia, her husband and her children, deeply charitable in word and deed, and a committed friend and mistress, but ill-starred, physically sick, maligned, misunderstood and much plotted against. The character descriptions in this book also include those for Tsar Nicholas, each of the children – OTMA and the Tsarevitch – Grand Duchess Ella (the Empress’ sister), Ania Vyrubova (the Empress’ most intimate friend), Rasputin and Kerensky (the Head of the Provisional Government that took power after the abdication of the Tsar and before the ascendancy of the Bolsheviks). The narrative also describes in detail the daily domestic life of the Imperial Family, and each of their trips to other parts of Russia and abroad in peace and war. It is rare for the author of any authorized biography to know her subject so familiarly and for so long, and to have been a first-hand witness to almost everything that happened for much of her life, and it is this that makes ‘The Tragic Empress’ such an intriguing and compelling book.
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Laurie –
The Baroness’s observations and insights of the last days of Imperial Russia and of the incarceration of the Imperial family supply a needed counter-weight to the conclusions often made that the Tsar and Tsaritsa did everything wrong. She was a loyal companion to the Tsaritsa, and not blind to her faults and mistakes, but always empathetic and fair-minded. I came away from this with a sympathy and appreciation for the Baroness and feel at the bottom of all, her broken heart at what befell the Im The Baroness’s observations and insights of the last days of Imperial Russia and of the incarceration of the Imperial family supply a needed counter-weight to the conclusions often made that the Tsar and Tsaritsa did everything wrong. She was a loyal companion to the Tsaritsa, and not blind to her faults and mistakes, but always empathetic and fair-minded. I came away from this with a sympathy and appreciation for the Baroness and feel at the bottom of all, her broken heart at what befell the Imperial family.
Susann –
A very respectful, loving tribute to the Empress Alexandra After reading several books on the Empress emphasizing her overly dependant relationship with Rasputin and many of her supposed bad qualities, this was a lovely book by one who knew her well and was with her almost to the end. It shows the very human, sweet, and dedicated side of Alexandra. She wholeheartedly cared for Russia, her adopted land, deeply embraced the Orthodox religion and became sublimely spiritual the further their fortunes A very respectful, loving tribute to the Empress Alexandra After reading several books on the Empress emphasizing her overly dependant relationship with Rasputin and many of her supposed bad qualities, this was a lovely book by one who knew her well and was with her almost to the end. It shows the very human, sweet, and dedicated side of Alexandra. She wholeheartedly cared for Russia, her adopted land, deeply embraced the Orthodox religion and became sublimely spiritual the further their fortunes declined. Her passionate caring for her family was her number one priority while her friendships with various ladies on her staff were just as heartfelt. Although she had limited physical strength after bearing five children with the added emotional burden of the hemophiliac tsarevich, Alexei, she worked tirelessly at her personal causes of hospitals and medical train cars for the war effort as well as kept up a steady correspondence with friends. She sounds like a very special person, unfairly maligned by history.
gladys –
Different point of view Fast read. Provided another view of the Russian Empress that I have never come across. Story gives a more human portrayal of the tragic royal rather than focus on her flaws and hysterics. First hand account.
Eve Bagnall –
Magnificent Highly interesting and well written, although immensely sad. A stifling account of the family’s house arrest and subsequent days at Tobolsk and at the Ipatiev House. Sigh indeed....
Barbara –
Review Review Reading this has given me a better understanding of life prior to communism. Very enjoyable way to learn about the history of the word.
Julie –
4.5 stars
Donna Peake –
Really enjoyed this book I saw the Empress in a whole different light.
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