The Family Romanov Book Review by Candice Fleming
Published by Schwartz and Wade Books in 2014
ISBN: 978-0375867828
Plot Summary: The story of the Romanov family involves many twists and turns throughout the variety of happenings that went on throughout the years. Russia has been a country that has always been dominated by the top 1% and this family held power for over 3 centuries. The book is written in a novel like format and goes back and forth from the riches of the ruling class to the stories of the peasants and the starvation and hard work that followed them. The government policies forced men to join the war and fight but didn't give them the supplies that they needed like food, shelter, and weapons. The reign of the family is chronicled throughout the years and the insertion of Rasputin brings the family to its knees as Alexandra believed that he was a messenger of God sent to help them navigate through World War 1 and the Russian Revolution. The unrest that is described throughout the book shows that even though things can appear to be well, lurking beneath the surface can be civil unrest that will change things forever.
Analysis: This book does an excellent job of making sure to present the facts of both sides of the story including the Romanov Family and the people that they ruled over. The photos at the end of the book are both informative in nature as well as gut wrenching as you see the toll that war took on the Russian people and the Romanov family. The photo array will be sure to help the reader visualize what life was like back then and helps bring the story to life. The firsthand accounts that the author uses shows the dedication that she took to her research as most of the diaries, letters, and other documents weren't available until 1991 when the fall of the Soviet Union happened. Though the entire family met an untimely demise, this account of their story will be sure to delight readers that are interested in the history of Russia and what became of a very peculiar and famous family.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews
Fleming examines the family at the center of two of the early 20th century’s defining events.
It’s an astounding and complex story, and Fleming lays it neatly out for readers unfamiliar with the context. Czar Nicholas II was ill-prepared in experience and temperament to step into his legendary father’s footsteps. Nicholas’ beloved wife (and granddaughter of Queen Victoria), Alexandra, was socially insecure, becoming increasingly so as she gave birth to four daughters in a country that required a male heir. When Alexei was born with hemophilia, the desperate monarchs hid his condition and turned to the disruptive, self-proclaimed holy man Rasputin. Excerpts from contemporary accounts make it clear how years of oppression and deprivation made the population ripe for revolutionary fervor, while a costly war took its toll on a poorly trained and ill-equipped military. The secretive deaths and burials of the Romanovs fed rumors and speculation for decades until modern technology and new information solved the mysteries. Award-winning author Fleming crafts an exciting narrative from this complicated history and its intriguing personalities. It is full of rich details about the Romanovs, insights into figures such as Vladimir Lenin and firsthand accounts from ordinary Russians affected by the tumultuous events. A variety of photographs adds a solid visual dimension, while the meticulous research supports but never upstages the tale.
A remarkable human story, told with clarity and confidence. (bibliography, Web resources, source notes, picture credits, index) (Nonfiction. 12 & up)
Connections: Students can do their own research on the Romanov Family and focus on Rasputin as he is an important piece in the family history. You could compare and contrast Royal Families such as the British Monarchy, the Chinese Dynasties, and the Chakri Dynasty in Thailand.
Educators Guide for the Family Romanov Book
More Information on the Romanov Family
Photo Array of the Romanov Family
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