“Ekaterinburg is the name of the town the Romanovs, the Imperial family of Russia were kept in the weeks leading up to their execution. Helen Rappaport, the author, writes well and I like the way the book is laid out, with each chapter taking on a day in the house they were kept in and a different member of the family.
The only gripe I have with this book is that for a complete novice on Russian history, which I have to confes myself to be, it doesn't give enough information on the social and political background of Russia at the time.
Yes in 1918 Russia was sill embroiled in World War I, so was virtually every country at th time. The book tells me that Nicholas Romanov was probably not the best person to be Tsar of Russia, him and his wife Alexandra were very private, insular people who didn't make themselves visible to their countrymen. Alexandra was German, which could not have been good n that political climate.
Still, it isn't made completely clear why Nicholas Romanov was called "Nicholas the Bloody". Russia was in the midst of a revolution, but why?
In short, as well writtten ad interesting as this book is, there is not enough detail given asto Why Nicholas Romanov and his family were executed by firing squad. What was it that made him to blame for Russia's state at the time considering at this time he'd already abdicated?
Basically this book conjured up more questions than answers for me. In a way that's a good thing it will lead me to read up more on the subject but as a stand alone book that wasn't what I wanted from it.
Ms Rappaport you are a good writer but us Russian history novices need more detail please!”