The Romanovs were the most successful dynasty of modern times, ruling a sixth of the world’s surface.  This is the intimate story of twenty tsars and tsarinas, some touched by genius, some by madness, but all inspired by holy autocracy and imperial ambition. Montefiore’s gripping chronicle reveals their secret world of unlimited power and ruthless empire-building, overshadowed by palace conspiracy, family rivalries, sexual decadence and wild extravagance, and peopled by a cast of adventurers, courtesans, revolutionaries and poets, from Ivan the Terrible to Tolstoy, from Queen Victoria to Lenin.

Having taught high school history in my former life, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one.  Well, you certainly do not need a history background to enjoy this book – it did not disappoint!  The Romanovs is informative, entertaining and highly readable.  No doubt a compelling read for anyone with even a passing interest in this fascinating topic.