The Romanovs: The Final Chapter

By: Robert K. Massie

Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard

A “masterful” (The Washington Post Book World) account of the quest to solve one of the great mysteries in Russian history—from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Peter the Great, Nicholas and Alexandra, and Catherine the Great

“Riveting . . . unfolds like a detective story.”—Los Angeles Times Book Review

In July 1991, nine skeletons were exhumed from a shallow mass grave near Ekaterinburg, Siberia, a few miles from the infamous cellar room where the last tsar and his family had been murdered seventy-three years before. But were these the bones of the Romanovs? And if these were their remains, where were the bones of the two younger Romanovs supposedly murdered with the rest of the family? Was Anna Anderson, celebrated for more than sixty years in newspapers, books, and film, really Grand Duchess Anastasia?

The Romanovs provides the answers, describing in suspenseful detail the dramatic efforts to discover the truth. Pulitzer Prize winner Robert K. Massie presents a colorful panorama of contemporary characters, illuminating the major scientific dispute between Russian experts and a team of Americans, whose findings, along with those of DNA scientists from Russia, America, and Great Britain, all contributed to solving one of the great mysteries of the twentieth century.

Critic reviews

“An admirable scientific thriller.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Compelling . . . a fascinating account.”—Chicago Tribune

“A masterpiece of investigative reporting.”—San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle

Excellently Written

Robert K. Massie is an excellent writer. "Nicholas and Alexandera" initiated me into the subject of Russian history and Russian literature. It is one of my favorite works of non-fiction. "The Romanovs" is a bit more specific and less romantic than N&A. If you haven't read N&A, I would suggest reading that first. The subject of this work focuses on the murder, cover-up, and subsequent discovery and proof of the murder of the Tsar and His Family. The book devotes a fair amount of space to the story of Anna Anderson and a law suit for her DNA. Overall, it seemed well researched, and well written, but I do not think I would have stayed with it until the end if I had been reading it. Listening to it made some of the drier information easier to digest. The performance was first rate.

Interesting and compelling.

So I have been interested in Russian History since I was a boy; in particular into the assassination of the Tsar and his family in 1918. Massie does an amazing recount of the event, the investigation, and aftermath of this historically relevant time in history. If you're at all captivated by this subject than I strongly recommend it.

Intriguing

Much more in-depth look at the events following the the family's deaths than I was expecting. Excellent.

Very "technical"

Any additional comments?

This book really isn't about the Tzar and his family's last days. The first third is about the finding of the bones, tons of details, and the legal battles. The second third is about Anna Anderson but mostly about the legal battles over preserved body parts and who would test them for DNA. The last third is mostly a long list of ancestors who may have claim to the throne (At least he never used the word begat!). At the end, a little about the last days by way of quoting Alexandra's diary................................................................................................................................................. I enjoyed the book but it absolutely wasn't what I was expecting. The discussions of what the judge told such-and-such and which scientists were allowed to see the bones were a bit tedious. And the minute detail about DNA testing were over the top. A good reading of a pretty good book about legalities and science of the near past.

A sad tale.

Robert Massey is a master detail. Excellent book. Sad commentary on the Eagles of Lennon and communism.