The Romanovs : autocrats of all the Russias

For three centuries - beginning with the accession of Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov in 1613 - the Romanov Dynasty ruled Russia. Its reign ended with the execution of Nicholas II and Alexandra in the early 20th century. Noted Russian scholar W. Bruce Lincoln has portrayed the achievement, significance and high drama of the Dynasty as no previous book has done. His use of rare archival materials has allowed him to present a portrait of the Romanovs based on their own writings and those of the persons who knew them. Preface Acknowledgments A Note on Russian Names and Dates Prologue Muscovite beginnings (1613-1689) Tsars and tsarinas In the eye of the storm The politics of Muscovy The rise of an empire (1689-1796) Eighteenth-century emperors & empresses An imperial city in the making From debauchery to philosophy Imperial aspirations Empire triumphant (1796-1894) The imperial dynasty The new faces of St. Petersburg From golden age to iron age The colossus of the north The last emperor (1894-1917) Nicky and Sunny: the last Romanovs The approach of disaster Days of war and revolution The last days of the Romanovs Notes and References Works Cited Index Contents Preface Acknowledgments A Note On Russian Names and Dates Prologue Part One. Muscovite Beginnings (1613-1689) I Tsars and Tsarinas II In the Eye of the Storm III The Politics of Muscovy Part Two. The Rise of an Empire (1689-1796) IV Eighteenth-Century Emperors and Empresses V An Imperial City in the Making VI From Debauchery to Philosophy VII Imperial Aspirations Part Three. Empire Triumphant (1796-1894) VIII The Imperial Dynasty IX The New Faces of St. Petersburg X From Golden Age to Iron Age XI The Colossus of the North Part Four. The Last Emperor (1894-1917) XII Nicky and Sunny: The Last Romanovs XIII The Approach of Disaster XIV Days of War and Revolution XV The Last Days of the Romanovs Notes and References Works Cited Index On March 2, 1613, a large procession of notables set out from Moscow toward the northeast.