Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie

625 pages, 2011

Catherine the Great isn't just great, it's fantastic! As a fan of good biographies and Russian history, this book immediately appealed to me. What I did not expect was that it would be impossible to put down. Robert Massie is, in my opinion, one of the greatest biographers ever and has this amazing ability to write biographies that read like novels. It is very easy for biographers to get bogged down in the politics of the time, particularly with biographies concerning heads of state. Don't get me wrong, Russian politics play a very crucial role in Catherine's story as well, but Massie has an incredible ability to weave politics into the narrative of the individual's story. Another great quality of Massie is his ability to bring in other characters, effectively describe them and their influence but not lose sight on the major player. If you typically look past biography, this would be a great one to pick up with compelling history, good writing and the story of one of the most fascinating monarchs of all time.

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman
by Robert K. Massie
625 pages

This is the autobiography of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1762-1796. I am obsessed with royal history, but have only really read about English and French royal history.  I didn't really know much about Russian history, and I'm all about powerful women, so I thought I would give this book a try.

It is a big book (625, whew!), but definitely worth the effort. If you love history, I think you'll enjoy it.  It not only talks about Catherine, but it gives details about other people and events as well.  The only draw back for this book is that there aren't very many pictures. 

The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival

The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival, by John Vaillant. 329 pages.

I maintain that truly fine writers of natural history are among the most eloquent and masterful of all authors. Case in point: Sir David Attenborough. John Vaillant is in this class.

In December 1997, Yuri Trush, squad leader of Inspector Tiger, was notified of a tiger attack near Sobolonye, located in Russia's Far East. So starts Vaillant's exploration of the social, political, anthropological, ecological, mystical and natural history of the far eastern region of Russia and China and its inhabitants, including the Amur tiger. The geographical region is a crossroad of multiple ecosystems: "timber wolves and reindeer share terrain with spoonbills and poisonous snakes, and twenty-five point Eurasian vultures will complete for carrion with saber-beaked jungle crows." Vaillant dubs the region a "boreal jungle." It is unique on earth and nurtures the greatest biodiversity of any place in Russia.

Due to over hunting (various parts of the tiger bring big money in China) and logging (one of the only means of making a living in the region), the Amur tigers are becoming endangered, and for this reason Trush and others were employed by Inspection Tiger with the charge of restoring law and order to the forests of Primorye. "Tigers are similar to drugs in that they are sold by the gram ... and their value increases according to the refinement of both product and seller. But there are ... key differences: tigers can weigh 600 pounds; they have been hunting large prey, including humans, for two million years; and they have a memory."

Vaillant makes the argument, supported by scientific and anecdotal evidence, that tigers are capable of abstract thinking, assimilating new information, ascribing it to a source (or even a motive) and responding accordingly. In other words, taking vengeance.

Vaillant interviewed members of Inspection Tiger; hunters, poachers, and loggers; tribes people, villagers and scientists to craft this fascinating and lush story of one tiger and how it terrorized the people in the area, weaving it together with the history of Siberian tigers and the impact Russia's political, economical and social development have had on tigers and the ecosystem. It is thrilling, chilling, provocative and awesome writing.

What Happens in London

by Julia Quinn, 372 pages



Jenny already reviewed this, but I haven't read her review yet. So I will dive in on my own...



A Regency historical, What Happens in London brings together ex-soldier Sir Harry Valentine and his new nosy neighbor, Lady Olivia Bevelstoke. Sir Harry is a reluctant "intelligencer" (as Diana Gabaldon would say) so Olivia can't help wondering what the notorious man is up to in his study every day. What on earth is so absorbing about those piles of documents? Surely the man is up to something. And what about the bizarre hat he sometimes wears?



When Sir Harry catches Lady Olivia in the act of spying on him, he's justifiably annoyed. The two have a "cute meet" at a Regency party, and the sparks start to fly. What follows is an intricate dance of outrage, suspicion and intrigue. This is a romance, after all, so of course the couple reluctantly fall in love with each other despite their better judgment.



Malicious forces put the couple through heart-pounding danger. Can the new lovers survive brutish kidnappers, or worse: the disapproval of the ton?



While the plot was mostly predictable, Julia Quinn adds enough quirkiness and whimsy to her characters to make them likeable. Ms. Quinn also gently pokes fun at the Regency taste for outrageously bad Gothic novels. All in all, I found the story to be light, funny and entertaining. I would definitely pick up another of her historical romances when I am looking for romance, humor and a dash of adventure.



My only caveat: I don't think Ms Quinn ever explained the hat. Did anyone else figure out what that was all about?