Rasputin

“Beevor is one of our finest narrative historians, with sharp judgment, a sweet pen and a deep understanding of the world in which he works. . . [his] beautifully written, clear-eyed biography of a very Russian tragedy is a meditation on history as well as a masterclass in smooth, judicious prose.”—Dan Jones in The Sunday Times

“Beevor’s biography is at its brilliant best when exploring these contradictions. . . The result is a fantastic, vivid portrait not only of Rasputin but of the twilight of imperial Russia.”—The Independent

“An exceptionally well-sourced, morally serious and often darkly comic account of how a barely literate peasant from Siberia came to precipitate the collapse of one of the greatest autocracies in the world.”—Owen Matthews in The Spectator

“Solidly documented . . . crisply written and swiftly narrated: it tells a very good story.”—Rupert Christiansen in Daily Telegraph

“Captivating…. An arresting portrait of a regime rotting from the top.”—Publishers Weekly

“Engaging…. Beevor, an eminent British historian, crafts a crisp narrative of his subject’s unlikely ascent and notorious influence… an informative page-turner on the mystic who captivated the last czar’s family.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Totally fascinating, compelling, and beautifully written. In its deep political and psychological understanding of Rasputin, the Romanovs, and Russia itself, this book is intriguing and original. One of the great stories of history, told by one of our greatest historians.”—Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of The World: A Family History of Humanity

“We have come to expect narrative clarity from Antony Beevor, and in his latest book, he doesn’t disappoint. Pushing away the myths and legends that surround Rasputin, Beevor brings us a plausible psychological portrait, a very readable account of an extraordinary life, and a tale of autocratic decline with plenty of contemporary analogies, for readers who care to see them.”—Anne Applebaum, author of Gulag: A History

“A wonderful book. Beevor has written a brilliant and vivid account of how a barely literate peasant beguiled the Romanovs, and helped plunge imperial Russia into chaos and revolution. Rasputin’s fantastical story anticipates our own truth-challenged times, when myth and fake news can be more potent than reality.”—Luke Harding, author of Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win

“A stunning achievement of psychological insight, deep research, and evocative prose that adds to Antony Beevor’s illustrious career as a chronicler of the twentieth century, Rasputin not only captures the mysterious Siberian holy man in all his bizarre complexity—the feverish religiosity, the preening ambition, the drunken lust as well as sincere concern for the peasantry and fear of war—but also paints a vivid portrait of tsarist Russia hurtling toward the abyss. A must-read for understanding the epic downfall of the Romanov dynasty.”—Douglas Smith, author of Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs

“From Antony Beevor’s scrupulous history, Rasputin emerges as even more bizarre and fascinating than the creature of popular myth.”
—Sebastian Faulks, New York Times bestselling author of Devil May Care and Paris Echo

‘Incisive and illuminating. This extraordinary story has never been better told.”
— Anthony Horowitz, New York Times bestselling author of Magpie Murders and Marble Hall Murders