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f you only have time to read one book regarding The Romanovs, Russian history, and the Russian revolution, this should be the one!

Lush in photography, rich in detail, stunningly organized and exquisitely written, this is a gem which chronicles the opulence of the Romanovis and vividly contrasts this to the brutal massacre that ended their lives and the rule of the Tsars of Russia.

The author and photographer show the before and after of the lush tranquility of summer and winter palaces and of yachts and compare this with the captivity of the royal family at Ekaterinburg and their murder in the basement of the "house of special purpose".

I've read a lot of Russian history, yet this book contained tidbits I didn't know. For example, the precursor and ominous signs which pointed to a doomed ending were rife from the beginning.

The shabbily erected accommodations for the populous during the coronation celebration left hundreds dead and trampled as peasants fought for souvenir mugs and beer and wine to fill them.

Knowing this event had occurred, still, the fantastic over-the-top coronation ball occurred, leaving a very bad perception from the start.

Warned of Alexandra's dangerous obsession with the mad monk Rasputin, Nicholas passively ignored the possible repercussion.

Involvement in WWI was disastrous as once again Nicholas' passivity and lack of leadership played a major role in the downfall of him and his family.

Hiding his son Alexi's hemophilia from those who could have had sympathy again proved an inability to judge the masses.

I highly recommend this coffee table style book.