Rating:  Summary: The Truth Hurts Review: Long at odds with what I assumed to be the authors' approach to the Romanovs, and not 100% convinced of some assumptions made in "The Fate of the Romanovs," I would be completely remiss not to stand up and salute them for the remarkable level research and thoughtfulness that went into their work. King and Wilson have striven to take a fresh hard look beneath the overwhelming layers of well-established myth, erroneous assumptions and outright misinformation surrounding the end of the Romanovs. And it ain't pretty. There is nothing to admire about Nicholas, and Alexandra was not a wonderful mother, especially to her daughters. Their imprisonment was not in some important respects what we've always been told it was. The personal repercussions of the Romanov's downfall on several of the family members and their retainers turns out to be surprisingly different from what we had assumed previously, whereas the murder is revealed to have been every bit as gut-wrenching as most of us imagined. Indeed, all through the book, previously unknown or overlooked details are brought to light and introduced into the context, often masterfully disabusing one of long-held erroneous notions.Whether I agree or not with every path they took along the way to the book's completion, I applaud Mr. King and Ms. Wilson for telling the truth, as they see it, to the best of their remarkable abilities. They have indisputably raised the benchmark on scholarly treatment of this subject, and those of us who disagree with this or that point of theirs will have to do an enormous amount of research in order to properly challenge the authors' painstakingly-earned credibility.
Rating:  Summary: Authors cheat at reviews, then take at swipe at others Review: Look, I haven't read this book, but I notice some of the reviews are from the authors or their friends. Fair enough, all of us are able to log onto Amazon under different accounts and vote for our own reviews. A lot of people do it, and if the authors wanted a good rating, perhaps they should have done that. Instead, they openly acknowledge who they are in their review (Penny Wilson aka TomandPenny, Peter Kurth), give the book 5 stars, but instead of telling us how they wrote it or what it is about (which would have been fine): THEY TAKE OFFENSE AT EVERY CRITICAL REVIEW AND VEHEMENTLY REFUTE THEM in an "I'll show you" manner. If there ever was a reason not to buy a book, this is it. If the authors think that denigrating the opinions of their readers, in a forum designed to SELL THE BOOK is a wise idea, they have another thing coming. Cut off their noses to spite their faces. Shot themselves in the foot. Whatever. But their personalities don't recommend their book to me, and I certainly won't be buying it, even though I am an avid reader on this topic.
Rating:  Summary: Worst Romanov Book Yet Review: Many people drool over this book, believing in the authors every last word. It is very obvious that the main point was to make the Imperial family look as horrible as possible. The authors stress Nicholas and Alexandra's faults without explaining WHY they acted the way the did in certain situations. And it is stupid for anyone to believe that the guards were sweet young men flirting with the girls....the Urals was the most anti-Romanov part of Russia in 1917-18. Nicholas himself stated this. It is insane to believe that in that "Red" town, it just so happened that over 100 kind little boys were found to watch the former Imperial family. Basically, the authors place too much importance on Communist word, and actually believe them!!!!
Rating:  Summary: The Fate of the Adverbs Review: Mark Twain said, "I have an aversion for adverbs. I will not take adverbs from a stranger." I agree. The Fate of the Romanovs is propelled by adverbs and, as a result, is hopelessly overwritten and under-convincing. I suppose the authors should be commended for attempting to make their account read more like fiction, but so does Snoopy each time he begins with, "it was a dark and stormy night." The book (and, suspiciously, even some of the reviews) are "wrought" with hyperbole--as if the authors looked to Roget repeatedly for new ways to write, "threatening." Their perpetual dramatization makes it difficult to ferret out their research or the facts. I surrendered.
Rating:  Summary: A very Well Written Account of an Imperial Family Review: More than an account of a royal family massacred. Through arduous research and historical evidence the authors humanize the Romanov family and their infamous experience. A must read for Russian history buffs.
Rating:  Summary: More than a Royal Family Massacre Review: More than an account of a royal family massacred. Through arduous research and historical evidence the authors humanize the Romanov family and their infamous experience. A must read for Russian history buffs.
Rating:  Summary: Perfect Review: Naturally we tend to focus ourselves on the actual murder of the beloved Romanov family instead of what they endured in the days preceeding the massacre. Penny Wilson and Greg King have used this book to enlighten us with new information about the murders and, at last, to tell us about their imprisionment. Amazing and perfect for all of those who are interested in the family or even for those just learning. A renewed interest in the family breaks free with this perfect book.
Rating:  Summary: NEW & OLD EVIDENCE...LOTS OF INFO Review: Overall, I really think that this book is a good read. It is mostly interesting and presents new evidence with notes to the sources. As far as I am aware, this is the most recent book published about the Romanovs, which makes it up to date, even with the 1998 burial of the Romanov remains. I have read other Romanov books, and I really think that this is the most detailed book on EVRYTHING from their lives (althought more detail is known and could have been presented) to the investigations, which ALOT of detail is written about. The book doesn't focus to much on the Anna Anderson case (which I think is nice), but it includes things here and there. The book starts with "The Ruin of an Empire" (which is the lives of the family while in control of Russia, and the family life..ex:when all the children are born) and ends with the investigations and burial. SO much information that isn't even new (I just haven't read it before and I have read LOTS of Romanov books) is also presented. If you have any intrest in the Imperial family of Russia then I would recommend this book for you. Other GREAT Romanov books: Anastsia's Album, The Last Tsar, Nicholas & Alexandra, and The Romanovs: The Final Chapter
Rating:  Summary: What's going on here! Review: Since when does the author of any book post their own review or remarks,[or their objections to other peoples reviews], on this website? The book itself is complete drivel. Write anything, no matter how ludicrous,just to make a buck, right? This book is NOT worth your time or money. Ms. Wilson and Mr. King, you should be ashamed of yourselves! If I could give it less than one star, I would!
Rating:  Summary: "National Enquirer" history Review: Sorry - this is just a semi-imaginative rehash of all the long histories on this subject we've seen so many times before - only this time, an added dash of ridiculous speculation and make-believe suppositions. Strictly for the Ekatrinburg groupies who devour any "new" info as they do their evening meals. As always, King's writing skills make one truly appreciate the consummate artistry of Barbara Cartland. How come the publisher didn't put bare chests and ripped bodices on the book cover like the other romance novels have? Hmmm . . .
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