And the Fall of Imperial Russia (Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (Awards))

I brought this for my grand child who is graduating from grammar school. I read it, great subject matter, wonderfully laid out,encompassing the entire spectrum of the sorely afflicted land. Wonder it it is a bit much for a young girl?

This book is an enchanting tale beautifully crafted by a skilled author. However it is listed as nonfiction. There are a few flaws, being that the author took some creative lease and crafted a few thoughts and decisions in the characters heads that could not be verified. This is fine. The main fault is that not only does the author not realize that when in Russia during WWI the Eastern front is to the west. This could be construed as a mistake if it weren't for the fact that the author confused East and West at least three times. The author misrepresented facts about Lenin. Painting him as the glorious revolutionary who came back to help his people and ended the war out of necessity. Not stating, however, that the reason he ended the war was that the Germans put him on a train with guns, and money, expecting him to overthrow the Czar. The deal was that Lenin would, in turn, end the war. The author also stated that Lenin had no wish to murder the Czar, his wife, his five young children, some of his staff, and his dogs. His son that couldn't walk due to hemophilia. The thing is, the order to execute the Czar was found. With Lenin's signature on it. The author, either neglected to do enough research to understand even the basic geography of the region, or is merely incompetent considering she gave three numbers for the distance between Tsarskoe Selo and St. Petersburg. None of the three being the correct distance. It is an excellent book, but it is not non-fiction. It is a carefully crafted tale that shows you imperial Russia in the worst light possible, while bringing Vladimir Ilyich Lenin up to the level of a benevolent savior of the Russian people. A people that endured far worse than a tsars indulgences over the next eighty years.

Absolutely not for readers who are already familiar with the history. The book is a good introductory piece written for mass consumption. It is not for learned people looking for new insights and details into the family or the revolution. The style is very non-academic, designed to make the history accessible for people who would not normally read historical books. How satisfactory you will find the book is entirely based on which category you fall into. If you are any type of an experienced historical reader you will be disappointed. For the complete novice interested in learning about the history for the first time, it is perfect.

The story of the Romanov Family is interesting as it is...but the book tends to drag and I have found myself leaving it sit for a week or so at a time and then forcing myself to go back to it because I bought it and feel I need to finish it.

This is clearly written for a middle school audience. If you're a neophyte when it comes to Russian history, go for it. If you want something with a bit more substance, try Massey's "Nicholas and Alexandra".

“The Family Romanov” is a biography of the last ruling family of Russia written for teen audiences. Although it has been long since I was a teen I found this book to be interesting and informative. Its subjects are presented as individuals and as a closely-knit household swept away by the turmoil that they never really understood. Readers are introduced to Tsar Nicholas II, who was a much better father to his children than he was to his nation, Empress Alexandra whose protective embrace enveloped her circle and each of the four Grand Duchesses and Tsarevich Alexei as unique personalities.

Even though I have read a some about Nicholas and Alexandra and this was written for a juvenile audience I learned much from this work. The heartbreaking succession of four daughters in a dynasty desperately longing for a male heir is felt across the years. An intense religious fervor shaped the royal lives it could not save. The severity of Alexei’s illness is more understandable from this book than it ever was before. The contrast between life in Tsarskoye Selo and as prisoners of the Revolution draws sympathy for this most privileged of families.

The writing style, though targeted toward young audiences, is rife with picture words that sketch scenes of Imperial life in the imaginative mind. I recommend it for inquisitive young adults and for older adults seeking an easy and educational read.

I found it amateurish. Filled with stupid sayings like clueless. She knows absolutely nothing of the Russian Orthodox Church. A total waste of money. Stupid mistakes any 8th grader would be smarter to write. A foolish attempt to make money off of a human tragedy.

Fleming’s take on the fall of the Romanov dynasty is extremely readable, which would make this an excellent pick for readers who normally shy away from biographies. It would also be an interesting perspective to include, since she is more critical of the Romanovs than some Romanov historians are wont to be. Additionally, the inclusion of numerous “interludes” focusing on events going on outside the palace walls – told from the point of view of ordinary Russians – both provided contrast to the lifestyle of the imperial family and provided important context for the events that unfolded toward the end of the Romanovs’ lives.

THE FAMILY ROMANOV is very much an introductory-level book, though. If you’re at all familiar with the Russian Revolutions – or even if you’ve just seen the animated ANASTASIA movie – you probably won’t learn anything new from reading this book. As an introduction, though, I thought it was fairly comprehensive, and Fleming includes photographs and quotes from multiple family members’ letters and journals. Those more familiar with this particular period in history would be better served reading a different book on the topic.

There are a multitude of books written for adult readers on the last Russian dynasty. A good handful of literature centers on the tsar and his empress, Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov and Alexandra Feodorovna, while others concentrate on the royal couple's four daughters, or their only heir, Alexei. Yet what sets THE FAMILY ROMANOV apart is that it is not only the most current narrative on this subject, but also the most in-depth historical account specifically allocated for young adults.

Determined to answer a question that kept nagging her, Candace Fleming spent three years gathering research that would address the hows and whys of what led up to this opulent family's gruesome demise. Author of a wide-spectrum of children’s and young adult literature, Fleming divided her painstaking information into four chronologically arranged sections. Aptly entitled Before the Storm, Dark Clouds Gathering, The Storm Breaks, and Final Days, these segments make up three stories in one book. As Fleming states, "The first is an intimate look at the Romanovs themselves. The second follows the sweep of revolution from the workers' strikes of 1905 to Lenin's rise to power in November 1917. And the third --- conveyed in their own words --- is the personal stories of the men and women whose struggle for a better life directly affected the course of the Romanovs' lives."

Before the Storm provides a window into Nicholas' childhood, his courtship with Alix of Hesse, the couple's hastily-planned wedding, their long-awaited heir and the secrecy of the heir's incurable disease. Fleming contrasts the Romanov's lifestyle with poignant and somber first-person accounts of what life was like concurrently for peasants. Dark Clouds Gathering describes the stark disparity growing between the reclusive Romanovs and the remainder of Russian society, and Rasputin, the mysterious so-called prophet, who healed the sickly heir. A great dichotomy immerges as unrest builds in the country while the tsar and empress emphatically deny the turbulent news. Once again, Fleming juxtaposes hauntingly disturbing personal accounts that reflect the despairingly overwhelming economic conditions affecting Russian citizens.

Turmoil continuing to spread across Russia and its bordering countries, part three – The Storm Breaks – expands not only on the country's frail economic environs, but also the ever-weakening political sphere as Russia enters into what is later known as World War I, and the end of 304 years of Romanov rule. Included are the roles the Romanov women play in the war, the notorious Rasputin's bizarre stronghold on the affluent family and his demise and Fleming's addition of pertinent individual narratives. Final Days, of course, is the most gripping aspect of the Romanov tale. While Lenin takes control and they are moved from one location to the next under the guise of protection, the Romanovs are absolutely clueless as well as in complete denial of the truth --- up to the very end of their demise. Fleming closes with more personal accounts that reflect Russia's economic and political tenor, the various rumors that accompany the family's puzzling disappearance and the discovery of their clandestine burial and DNA findings.

Fleming states, "as of this writing, the remains of the last two Romanovs' have yet to be buried. Instead, they lie in a cardboard box in Moscow's State Archive of the Russian Federation, waiting for the day when they will once again be, as Nicholas called them, 'a small family circle.'' Incredibly spellbinding from cover to cover, THE FAMILY ROMANOV is replete with a plethora of pictures (some taken by Fleming herself), and primary, general and online resources for further reading. A must read, indeed, for ALL ages!

Reviewed by Anita Lock.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

This book brings the history of the Romanovs (the last Russian royal family) to life in photos and wonderfully written insights. We get to see inside the family with intimate first person accounts of this tragic family. The photos are truly amazing and enlightening. Reading this well written book gives us a true vision into the before, during, and after events that brought down this family. As well as the events that forever changed the face of Russia.

It is really interesting to see not only the history of the family, but also the information on the state of Russia, its citizens and their view of royalty in the face of war and the devastation that drove the peasants to revolt. Nicholas II and his family were not prepared for inheriting the throne in 1894. His wife wanted to live the opulent life, but deal with none of the responsibilities. There daughters Marie, Tatiana, Olga and of course Anastasia are brought to life in snippets of fun and real life. The citizens of Russia are heard from in their own accounts and that really brings it to life. And let’s not forget that famous mystic Rasputin is in this true tale. So many stories, fictional and non have been written about Rasputin and Anastasia that it is nice to hear the historical facts.

This book is written to satisfy Common Core Standards and therefore written for young adults. It is lively and easy to read. A big feat for me since I have a very hard time reading non-fiction these days. If I can get through it and enjoy it, I am sure history buffs will devour it. The layout of the book is friendly and entertaining. Nothing is dragged out so that you get bored or forget what you read. Yep that happens to me. Ms Fleming has done copious research and her writing is flowing and interspersed with dialogue from the mouth of the actual people.

I would definitely recommend The Family Romanov to anyone that enjoys history. It is so well written and researched and sure to satisfy the most ardent fans of this time period. The reader gets a truly in-depth journey into the state of Russia leading up to World War I and the events that changed the once powerful empire. The murder of the Romanov family by Bolsheviks in 1918 is heartbreaking. The Family Romanov is a captivating journey into history. That is actually saying a lot as I am not a history buff. Ms. Fleming has authored a fabulous and in-depth book that draws you in and keeps you involved until the end.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

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I never intended to read this book and only checked it out of a digital library as a demonstration to a friend on how to use his new Kindle. Once checked out, I decided to read a few pages and was hooked.

The book is very well written and does read more like a novel than a dry history book. The author masterfully weaves in the cultural milieu and social forces at play during this time period. I especially liked the contrasts between the lives of the royal family and their subjects.

Even though people will probably endlessly debate the particulars of different historical facts (much like the murder of JFK), the author has done an excellent job of thoroughly researching this subject while making both the characters and events come alive for the reader.

The Family Romanov, a nonfiction book by Candace Fleming, tells the story of the rise and fall of Romanov rule during Tsar Nicholas II’s rule over Russia, especially during World War I. Nicholas, his wife Alexandra, his daughters Olga, Tatiana, Marie, Anastasia, and his son Alexis all have something to deal with during these hard times. Nicholas himself is a leader that struggles with living up to the title of Tsar, deviating from the traditional iron rule to become a seemingly nonchalant one, ruling from the shadows in his own little world. He would have no inkling of what was going on in the country, and even if he was notified, “he took almost no action to end the unrest”(Flemings 63). His wife Alexandra, too ended up succumbing to the paranoia and furthered another great poison… Rasputin. He was, quite arguably, the most influential figure in her life, gaining her trust by saving her son Alexis. She would go even further to have a small affair with him, sending him letters describing how she’d “fall asleep on [his] shoulder” and “kiss [him] warmly”(108). He not only put Alexandra into his hands, but the entire family as well. Him, the Great War, and the rising tensions between ruler and citizen created a recipe for disaster for Russia. Ministers would duel with Rasputin over influence of the royal family, and morale in the war would drop to an all-time low… and Nicholas? He did nothing to help. As a result of these problems, the people lost their trust in the Tsar altogether. The book discusses the events of the October Revolution in 1917, and how almost every single person in Russia, including the army, was now against Nicholas. He finally realized what needed to be done in order to quell the angry mobs, he had to abdicate his throne. That however did not stop some of the tensions that still rose against the Romanovs. People whose lives were deeply affected by their rule still sought out revenge, even if they weren’t ruling anymore. Soon, people like Yakov Yurovsky would eventually start planning the murder of the entire Romanov family.
The Family Romanov as a book was very good at being thorough with the problems of not only the Romanov family, but the citizens and workers as well. The small stories Candace Fleming would include, as well as the main story itself, shows each perspective in such a way where I really couldn’t take a side in the story. In other words, there was no definitive antagonist. You can’t really blame the peasants for their hatred of the Tsar, yet you couldn’t really blame the Tsar himself because he never wanted to rule. Rasputin is a confusing character, where you can be rooting for him one scene and hating him the next. It’s so well-written and so intriguing that I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in history, and nonfiction writing in general. It blends history and storytelling so well that it’s definitely one of the best books I’ve read.

The non-fiction novel by Candace Fleming titled The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & The Fall of Imperial Russia is ultimately about Russia’s last Tsar and his family. The imperial family consisted of seven members: Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Marie, Anastasia, Tsarevich Alexei, Empress Alexandra and Tsar Nicholas II. Raised by Queen Victoria, Alexandra was “…stubborn, iron-willed, and controlling [while Nicholas was] … timid…” (23/29). While the imperial couple was shy and introverted, “the imperial children, he had heard, ‘generally behaved liked young savages.’ But Gibbes saw none of this--at least not right away… Anastasia was a mischievous little girl [dubbed] ‘a true genius in naughtiness…[Alexei] hated to be corrected, and tended to be lazy” (88/91/119). Two main conflicts happen in the story. One is an internal conflict with the ignorance of the royal family, who each in their own way deny the truth about what is really going on outside the royal grounds. The other is an external conflict with Russia being in ruin, the economy in despair, and its citizens are uneasy, starving and dying. These two conflicts go hand-in-hand due to the royal family’s inability to acknowledge and address the issues their people are having. What ultimately happened as a result of a culmination of these conflicts is rebel forces attempted to take power and overthrow the Tsar. An important plot point in this true story was Alexei’s illness and the royal family’s need to keep their heir to the throne alive which drove the family to desperate measures. Additionally, the sinister Rasputin claiming to be a man of God and saving Alexei’s life multiple times, led him to take advantage of the Empress and her influence over the Tsar.
For anyone interested in learning more about the details of the Russian Revolution and the Romanov family this book is fascinating and I recommend it. From its descriptive retelling of the royal family’s lives to the photographs giving the reader vivid examples from that era, this book is riveting and gripping. One thing I did not like about the book was the descriptive horrible reality of peasant life was; it was generally sad and full of despair. Mothers could not get emotionally close to their children in case they died, only a select few would make it into adulthood. Reading the short sections labeled “Beyond the Place Gates” were a night and day transition from the extravagant lives of the imperial family. However, I did enjoy reading about these real people in history noble or peasant, and learning about what really happened to the last royal family of Russia. Their infamous tale led to a different legacy than if the family would have just been overthrown by the rebel forces, something that seemed unreachable due to their ignorant rein.

250+ pages, so it makes for a quick read.
Intrigued by the inclusion of sentences from Massie's "Nicholas & Alexandra".
Curious as to why the war with Japan in 1904 over the warm water Port Arthur was not referenced as an example of Russian military hubris and Nicholas staying away from the front.
Fascinating, and disturbing, explanation of what happened to landowners, factory owners, etc when Communism took over.

I found The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia on the new release shelf in the YA section of my town library. I tend to prefer fiction, but I also love history, especially 19th century history.

The Family Romanov was meticulously researched by Candace Fleming. She presents her findings in an engaging manner, and she includes fascinating tidbits to pique the interest of the young reader. Fleming begins with marriage of Tsarevich Nicholas and Alexandra, who was one of Queen Victoria’s German-born grandchildren. The union was considered unlucky or cursed because they married when Nicholas was supposed to be in mourning following the death of his father. This proves to be rather prophetic, considering the gruesome end that the family met.

Fleming touches upon both the personal lives of the royal family, and the sociopolitical events that shaped Russia toward the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth. The vast majority of the Russian population lived in abject poverty, and although their revolution came much later than many of the others that swept Europe, the people longed for change. When they were denied that opportunity, they lashed out against the monarchs who were once revered.

The more tender moments of the book are the happiest. The family clearly loved each other, and spent many happy days together in their various vacation homes. It was a surprise to learn that the girls loved photography, and it is devastating to read about how the lively family changed as they were shuffled from their lavish palace to smaller and more sparse accommodations after they were taken into custody. Fleming does not withhold information from the target audience, but information is presented in a factual and age-appropriate manner.

I would recommend The Family Romanov. This book is best suited for readers in middle school and high school, but it is also a good choice for adult readers with a casual interest in history. This is a subject that I studied in high school, but the information was condensed and was part of a larger overview of World War I and its aftermath. Fleming’s engaging presentation has given me a new appreciation for Russian history.

This is a sad but interesting part of world history that most of us missed in our studies at school. The Family Romanov is a very good book that tells their story which is one that we all should at least know of something about it. It is a very readable book that does hold your attention. The pictures are sad in some ways but it is still part of our history. I did think that this book was worthy of shelf space and attention by students especially those who love world history.

I thought I knew the story of the Romanov family, but reading this book proved I had a lot to learn. Written like a novel, I could not put this book down. A great introduction for young people and adults alike into a difficult period of history and an interesting group of people.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I learned so much about what lead to the sad end of the Romanov Family and dynasty. I liked how the author arranged the book to give a panoramic view of the events known to come. A great read for anyone who likes historical reading.

“The Family Romanov” is the epic story of the dramatic decline and fall of the House of Romanov. It is the kind of book I would like to write if I were an author because it is a riveting work of narrative history that is well researched and documented.

It provides intimate portraits of Tsar Nicholas; his wife, Alexandra; and the five Romanov children, as well as an examination of Russia in a state of increasing social unrest. Interspersed throughout the narrative are excerpts from letters, diaries, and memoirs from the lives of ordinary people that accentuate the incredible disparity between the extremely privileged lives of the Romanovs and the desperately impoverished ones of the factory workers and peasant population. Fleming ably demonstrates how both the royal family and the peasants were the product of their circumstances. Nicholas was ill-prepared in experience and temperament to follow his father's footsteps as Tsar. He and Alexandra lived with their children in isolation and were unable to understand the social conditions that existed in Russia or the impact it might have on them. Years of oppression and deprivation made the population ripe for revolution.

Candace Fleming has written several books including Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart and The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary. Fleming's latest book tackles one of the most famous families in history: The Romanovs.

This book covers the early years of Nicholas II--the days of wealth, power, and privilege--and leads to the ultimate downfall of not only him, but his whole family. However the book not only covers the Romanovs, it also takes a look at what it was like for the common man/woman living in Russia during this tumultuous time period. It has first hand accounts as well as many photographs of the Tsar and his family.

The Romanov family has always interested me. Partly because of the mystery of Anastasia, and partly because this was such a crazy time in Russian history. Candace Fleming does a superb job of not only giving us a glimpse inside the royal family, but also what the people of Russia were going through at the time. It's hard for your heart not to break as you read this book.

I don't usually describe biographies as a page turner, but this book definitely is! It has all the makings of a great piece of fiction. This book is geared toward younger readers, but I would recommend this to anybody who loves history.

I thought it would be interesting to learn more about Russian history because that period of time was very brief in my history education. I was happy to find this book but I must say it was not as good as I hoped it would be. I feel like this is something for young adults more than for adults. This is not always something bad because it can make it easier to understand and learn but this was a little bit to easy and I felt that the language and tone was used to make the reader look stupid or something.

The story don't go into any depth in the story and the lived of the Romanov history and it really didn't give me anything new. Maybe this is a good read if you know very little, which I thought I did but after reading this I don't know, or if you are a young person who wants to learn about the Romanov family and a little bit about Russia during this time.

I am disappointed in this read. It was not my coup of tea. I was bored and had a hard time finish reading it but in the end I manage to do so. I also think the book gave me more questions than answers.

A harrowing historical tale told in the style of a novel. The photos included in the book were extremely useful in putting names to faces and were of great interest to me. I felt like I learned much about the Romanov family and their mysterious Friend, as well as the Russian Communist movement.

Extremely well written, appealing and accessible. While I knew the ending, I didn't want to put it down. Fleming not only tells the story of this family, but also of the world around them - starving peasants and academics, workers without rights, terrible living conditions and so forth--much of which the royal family took for granted or ignored, leading to their demise. The ideas and details in this book are haunting me because they resonate with many current issues in the 21st century world - Egypt, Syria, and the gap between the rich and the poor in the U.S. even.

I'd recommend for 8th or 9th grade and up--independent reading or reading in a literature circle or for an advanced 7th grade reader who has background knowledge about this era. There could be some amazing discussion about Fleming's choice of details and how she weaves primary sources into the narrative as well as the central ideas in the book.

Also, Fleming makes an interesting point in her author's notes about how thoughts about the Tsar and his family were, for many decades, based on former nobility's fond memories of the times with family, nobility that fled to Europe when the Soviets took control. For decades citizens of this part of the world were forbidden to talk about the murder of this family. With the fall of Communism in 1991, though, the outside world was allowed to access Nicholas' diaries and letters as well as diaries written by the children and to gain a better idea of what these people were like. There was also access to documents related to the investigation of the family's murder with accounts from villagers and even the man who was in charge of their execution. It would make for interesting conversation to compare a book or text written about the Romanov family prior to 1991 and this one by Fleming.

This book has received much well-deserved recognition and many awards including NCTE's Orbis Pictus Award for 2015 and ALA's Sibert Honor Award 2015.

I should have paid more attention to the description of this book. I didn't realize it is written primarily for the teen-age set. So, as I'm listening (I have the Audible edition) I'm being entertained but I am struck by the superficiality of much of the narrative, at times thinking, "wow, I know more about this stuff than the author." So given that the book is meant to be an introduction to the Romanovs and their sorry end, I can forgive some skimming over politics and dynastic detail, but I cannot forgive the inaccuracies. After all, we don't teach kids about George Washington and the cherry tree anymore, do we? (Well, do we???)

The reviewer who headlined the review "Not Non Fiction" makes many valid points. The only way you should encourage young people to read this book is if you are prepared for a thorough discussion and to provide other more accurate reading material.

I have a minor obsession with this area of Romanov/Russian history. And yes, it was brought on by 1997's Anastasia. Since then, I have read a few biographies, a couple of articles, and became once again enraptured with this family in 2007 when the remains of Anastasia (or Marie) and Alexi were found.

When given the opportunity to read The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming, I knew I couldn't pass it up. Each time I read a biography I always learn something new and Candace's book was no exception.

What I truly loved about The Family Romanov is that Candace doesn't just focus on the Romanov family, she also talks about the state of Russia and her people. Knowing what was going on outside of the Romanov family is eye opening as I understood where its citizens were coming from and why they wanted to overthrow Nicholas II and the monarchy.

Sometimes I have trouble with non-fiction novels. I start out excited to read it and learn about these people, but then after a while I feel like I'm being taught by Ben Stein from Ferris Buller's Day Off. With The Family Romanov. With The Family Romanov, I had zero problems. Candace's writing is wonderfully done and doesn't give the book a feeling of non-fiction. I didn't feel like I was being taught, I felt like I was reading a fictional narrative. I was entranced, engaged, and looking forward to turning the page.

For any individual interested in the Romanovs, I highly recommend this book. Since Candace focuses on both the family and Russian history, know that going into you're not going to learn a lot about the familial relationships and what they are each going through specifically as she balances her narrative equally between the Romanovs and Russia. She does touch on the Grand Ducheeses and Alexi, but most of her focus is on Nicholas and Alexandra.

For me it wasn't a huge deal as I know a lot of the family, but someone who doesn't know so much may be a little disappointed. However, knowing/understanding what the Russian people were going through was exceptionally enlightening in understanding this period of history.

Incredibly researched, The Family Romanov is a must for anybody interested in this period or anybody looking to get their toes wet. Even for those who have trouble trudging through facts, I know you'll enjoy this book. I learned so many things and experienced so many emotions - this is by no means an easy read, but it is a read that has stuck with me.

I have a minor obsession with this area of Romanov/Russian history. And yes, it was brought on by 1997's Anastasia. Since then, I have read a few biographies, a couple of articles, and became once again enraptured with this family in 2007 when the remains of Anastasia (or Marie) and Alexi were found.

When given the opportunity to read The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming, I knew I couldn't pass it up. Each time I read a biography I always learn something new and Candace's book was no exception.

What I truly loved about The Family Romanov is that Candace doesn't just focus on the Romanov family, she also talks about the state of Russia and her people. Knowing what was going on outside of the Romanov family is eye opening as I understood where its citizens were coming from and why they wanted to overthrow Nicholas II and the monarchy.

Sometimes I have trouble with non-fiction novels. I start out excited to read it and learn about these people, but then after a while I feel like I'm being taught by Ben Stein from Ferris Buller's Day Off. With The Family Romanov. With The Family Romanov, I had zero problems. Candace's writing is wonderfully done and doesn't give the book a feeling of non-fiction. I didn't feel like I was being taught, I felt like I was reading a fictional narrative. I was entranced, engaged, and looking forward to turning the page.

For any individual interested in the Romanovs, I highly recommend this book. Since Candace focuses on both the family and Russian history, know that going into you're not going to learn a lot about the familial relationships and what they are each going through specifically as she balances her narrative equally between the Romanovs and Russia. She does touch on the Grand Ducheeses and Alexi, but most of her focus is on Nicholas and Alexandra.

For me it wasn't a huge deal as I know a lot of the family, but someone who doesn't know so much may be a little disappointed. However, knowing/understanding what the Russian people were going through was exceptionally enlightening in understanding this period of history.

Incredibly researched, The Family Romanov is a must for anybody interested in this period or anybody looking to get their toes wet. Even for those who have trouble trudging through facts, I know you'll enjoy this book. I learned so many things and experienced so many emotions - this is by no means an easy read, but it is a read that has stuck with me.

This book is one of the most interesting historical books I have ever read. I plan on sharing it with my grandchildren! My own interest in this period of history was rekindled. I found Chapter 7 about the development of Communism, the Social Democrats and the Bolsheviks particularly insightful.

Wonderfully written history for children. Even my 10-year old was mesmerized. The story is tragic, so 12 would be an appropriate age to start, however. The only reason i gave this book 4 stars is because i read about this topic quite a bit, and noticed small inconsistencies. Also author has this sarcastic note throughout the entire book, making it sound like she is a lot smarter than the people creating history :-).
Otherwise, very enjoyable read for those who are interested in world history, children, as well as adults.

I wanted to read a little about Russian history, in preparation for an upcoming cruise which spends 2 days in St. Petersburg. I’m so glad this book was recommended to me. It is easy to read and informative. I knew very little about the last imperial family and now I feel as though I know a great deal.

This books shows the worst possible side of the Romanov family, it is not accurate and very biased.
Lenin came to Russia paid by the Germans, with the objective of stopping the war. It was difficult to assemble a crowd to greet him.
It was Lenin who ordered the execution of the Russian Imperial family.

Well, the book has no historical background based on serious documentary. This is just a "made-up story", presenting the Russian Royal Family as rich idiots separated from reality, as well as their daughters as "imature and isolated" girls. The author's oppinion has nothing to do with reality. The author has no any background in Russian history if she allows to make up stories like that. I am a Russian , who lives in America long enough . But i also know well the history of my Motherland and the history of Romanov family. They were highly educated and intelegent people . The time period of 1900-1918 in Russia was very complicated to make simplified stories like that one. I been shoked reading all this . The book is writen with no competency. I bought this book through the Scholastic book fair at school for my middle-school-age children thinking that it would be a good oportunity for them to read about Russian history in English, but after looking into this junk with more details, i am going to retutn this "work"

Good read almost like a novel, not a boring historical book. Going back and forth between the Russian populas and the Romanov family was very informative and entertaining. Only would have liked to see the genealogy chart clearer. Pictures were very good.

I was very disappointed with this book. I am appalled at the sheer venom the author poured over the Imperial Family, not to mention the glaring misinformation that leap out in every chapter. Very poorly researched, equally poor writing. I do not recommend this book to any one.

The Family Romanov Murder, Rebellion, & The Fall Of Imperial Russia​ mainly follows the life Nicholas II and the royal family. In the beginning it talks about Nicholas’ life before he was Tsar, but later on it focuses more on the royal family’s lives before, during, and after World War I. The family consists of Nicholas, his wife Alexandra, his 3 daughters(Olga, Tatiana, Marie, and Anastasia), and his only son Alexei. One of the more interesting characters from the story is Rasputin. When he is first introduced, most describe him as a man of God. Many rumors are said about him like him, “wandering the countryside, blessing the poor and praying for the sick”(Fleming 85). But to the reader it is made very clear that Rasputin is indeed very corrupt and not actually a “man of God”. Even despite this he still manages to gain the trust of the royal family which allowed him to gain privileges due to his “gift from God”(Fleming 85). Rasputin performed many actions to retain the easy life style he had acquired from being friends with the royal family such as silencing his opponents and convincing the queen to replace men in the government with people not qualified only because the ones before were his enemies. The consequences of these selfish actions come into play later on in the story. The next character to talk about is, the Tsar himself, Nicholas. Nicholas was the last leader of the monarchy in Russia, before it’s fall. To put it simple, Nicholas was not a very competent ruler. Which if it wasn’t a problem before certainly became very troubling during the first World War. Even after many protests by the workers he still ignored any of their requests and many of them were shot in the streets, these events planted the seeds of hate among the people against the Tsar and the Romanov dynasty. He was not a leader by heart and earlier on in the story he was described as “shy and gentle”(Fleming 20). One of the tutors also says this when he meets up with him again, “He still depended on Alexandra for even the most trivial decisions”(Fleming 199). The conflict of this story is mainly internal but later on is a combination of internal and external. The internal conflict is Nicholas struggling to follow up to his father’s example as a tough ruler and also the fact he never really wanted to be Tsar. It later becomes a combination of internal and external with the start of World War I since that war had such a huge impact on everyone involved. One important plot event was when Germany declared war on Russia because it looked liked this was the way for Nicholas to rebond with the lower classes and regain their trust by leading them through this. Another important plot event was when Nicholas resigned as Tsar and later his brother since that marked the end of the Romanov dynasty. What I enjoyed about this book is how in depth it when in on the viewpoints of the higher and lower classes during imperial Russia. An example of this, is that throughout the book the author includes stories told by peasants who lived during this time period. Other examples of showing different point of views is the effect Rasputin’s presence with the royal family had on other people in the government and what they thought of him. The last one is showing the motivation and inner thoughts of the man responsible for the deaths of the Romanovs. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about history or to anyone who just wants to know more about the past leaderships of Russia.