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Legend portrays Rasputin as the 'Mad Monk' who rampaged through St. Petersburg in an alcoholic haze, making love to scores of women. A symbol of excess and religious extremism, he was believed to hold a mysterious power, emanating from his hypnotic eyes, over Tsar Nicholas II and his family. The fact that he was neither mad nor a monk has not stopped scores of writers from repeating these and other bogus claims. Rasputin scholar Joseph Fuhrmann shares the fruits of this two-decade search for the truth about Rasputin through previously closed Soviet archives. The man he discovers is entirely human and even more fascinating than the Svengali-like caricature imagined by millions. This biography unveils the truth behind Gregory Rasputin's storied life, controversial relationships, and much-discussed death. Furhmann unearths previously unknown details from Rasputin's childhood and his early years as a farmer and itinerant preacher to his decade-long relationship with the Romanovs.… (more)
User reviews
Much of the information in this book is taken from previously closed Soviet archives and contains new information and pictures of Rasputin and others of the time. There are police reports and personal letters included. Mr. Fuhrmann is careful to keep the facts straight and explains when there are discrepancies between the official record and personal accounts, he will make a statement and report why he feels that is so. This is a very detailed account and while not boring, I found I could not really get into it, I had a lot of trouble finishing it. I gave it the rating I did because I found it informative and interesting even though I had trouble sticking with it.
In conclusion I would say that if you are really into Russian history or Rasputin and the Romanovs you might enjoy this book.
The author see's him as neither all bad but certainly not in any
There is little evidence in the book that the outcome would have been different just that his perception and meddling hastened things. No doubt his excesses in personal conduct and failings led to the fall of himself and the family.
This was very good and seemed to be well-researched. The author apparently was able to get to some documents and files that had not before been released. It's an interesting story, as a whole, and while parts of the story do focus on Nicholas and Alexandra, where Rasputin was, what he was doing, and his influence on the Romanovs was what the book was about. There were a few less interesting parts for me – mostly the politics – but overall, I thought it was very good and well worth reading for anyone interested in the Romanovs.