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The Romanov family is now introduced as the last imperial dynasty to be the rulers of Russia. Their rule started in 1613 and ruled for a tenure of three centuries. In these three centuries, 18 Romanovs were honored to be the rulers of the throne.
Amongst these 18 Romanovs, a few are incredibly famous, including Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Alexander I, and the last one is Tar Nicholas II. The Romanov Empire was put to an end by the Bolshevik revolutionaries.
After the fall of the empire, Tars Nicholas II and all the other members of his family had to face miserable situations. They were kept as captives, and all their lavish lifestyle and royalty ended. Peter, I became the emperor of the Russian empire in 1721. He stayed the emperor till 1725 until he died.
What are the Best Books on The Romanovs to read?
Catherine II was also known as Catherine the Great, took the Russian empire to new heights. Her reign was named as the Golden period for the empire. She ruled from 1762 to 1796. Tars Nicholas II was the last one to rule the Russian world. His reign started from 189 and continued till he was forced to be a captive.
It was on July 17, 1918, that in the Ural Mountains of the town, Ekaterinburg was living another day as captives. The people living their include Tsar Nicholas, Tsarina Alexandra, their five children, and four remaining servants of the Romanov family. Eugene Botkin, the doctor of the loyal family, was also amongst those people.
The Bolshevik captors woke them up and ordered them to get dressed and pack their belongings as they must leave the place in the dark. The White armies were already in support of the Tsars were coming. Everyone could already hear the big guns. The Tsar family, along with their servants, gathered in the cellar.
Alexandra was unwell, so she asked for a chair to have a seat. Tsar Nicholas II also asked for one but not for himself but for his only son, who was just 13 at that time. They were supplied the chairs, and they had to wait there. Then a group of 11 or 12 armed men entered the cellar. What took place next was something no one had ever imagined.
The Tsar family and their servants were slaughtered, and this led to the end of the members of the royal family. This would always remain a shocking and terrible incident that has left its mark on the pages of history. Below mentioned are some books sharing information about the Romanov family.
Best Books on The Romanovs: Our Top 20 Picks
Here are some of the best books on the romanovs that you can consider to expand your knowledge on the subject:
1. Nicholas and Alexandra: The Classic Account of the Fall of the Romanov Dynasty by Robert K. Massie
Is a true love story that leads to the fall of a huge empire. The book travels back to the outstanding place of Russia to let us know all about the lives of the Romanovs. This book has several elements that connect all the words and make this book worth reading. The political naivete of Nicholas, the obsessions of Alexandra about the corrupt mystic Rasputin, the remarkable struggles of Alexis with hemophilia. The book has both the words of passion and history. It shares all about the fall of that empire mentioning along with the royals watching its fall.
- Authors: Robert K. Massie (Author)
- Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks; Illustrated Edition (February 1, 2000)
- Pages: 640 pages
2. The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra by Helen Rappaport
Has mysterious and unknown stories based on the lives of the four daughters of Alexandra and Nicholas. These daughters were incredibly famous and well known in their time; it was the beginning of the twentieth century. Tatiana, Olga, Maria, and Anastasia Romanov are the names of the princesses who were the four young, adorable, and most admired ladies. Everyone used to talk about them and capture their pictures and all. What made them famous was their style, clothing, and luxurious life. And this was the reason everyone liked them and wanted to be like them. Their luxurious and all-time admired life ended in 1918 at Ekaterinburg. And this end was a bad one.
- Authors: Helen Rappaport (Author)
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin; Reprint Edition (June 16, 2015)
- Pages: 544 pages
3. The Romanovs: 1613-1918 by Simon Sebag Montefiore
Presents the intimate stories of the tsarinas and tsars. The world of Romanovs, which was full of power and the empire was big. There were different conspiracies based on the palaces. Ruling Russia was a two points mission that included both the sacred and imperial factors. Taking about the total number of Tsars who were brutally killed were sixteen in number. And these sixteen were from the last tsars. The Romanovs: 1613-1918 by Simon Sebag Montefiore also tells that Peter the Great was so indulged in setting up his empire that he started depressing and torturing his son. And at last, the son of Peter the Great died.
- Authors: Simon Sebag Montefiore (Author)
- Publisher: Knopf; 1st Edition (May 3, 2016)
- Pages: 784 pages
4. The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry
Tells about the life of Romanovs and their interaction with the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks had captured the Tsar and his family. At such a time, an Atlanta Lawyer whose name was Miles Lord was also present at the place. When the weak government of Russia succeeded, and the Communism failed, the Russians decided. They were voting in favor of bringing the monarchy back. The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry tells us about how the new person was going to be chosen. A person who was not close to Nicholas will be appointed. For this purpose, a special commission was formed. The lawyer Miles Ford’s work was to research the candidate’s background, but during his work, he was nearly killed by a gunman, and the location was close to the city plaza.
- Authors: Steve Berry (Author)
- Publisher: Ballantine Books (August 31, 2004)
- Pages: 416 pages
5. The Romanovs: The Final Chapter by Robert K. Massie
Answers all the questions about the mystery of skeletons found from the grave near the lands of Siberia. This story was about those nine skeletons which were found near Ekaterinburg, which is some miles away from the cellar where there had been some murders seventy-three years ago. The Romanovs: The concluding chapter by Robert K. Massie is a great piece of writing having both the elements of the drama and reality. The book tells details about the following questions related to this incidence:
Were these skeletons of the Romanovs?
Where were the skeletons of the two younger Romanovs?
Was Anna Anderson a big celebration?
- Authors: Robert K. Massie (Author)
- Publisher: Random House; Reprint Edition (February 22, 2012)
- Pages: 305 pages
6. Romanov by Nadine Brandes
Tells the reader about the mission of Anastasia. The main task for Anastasia was to illegally carry a spell in her suitcase when she was going to Siberia. At this time, the Bolsheviks leader was before the Romanovs and wanted to destroy them.
There was a person named as Zash. He was a member of the Bolshevik army, but he was quite different from all of them. Anastasia had two choices. Whether she handovers the spell to the people. Or she can take help from Zash. These both things could only save the life of Anastasia and her family. It was necessary for her to pick either of the options and stay alive.
- Authors: Nadine Brandes (Author)
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 7, 2019)
- Pages: 350 pages
7. The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia (Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children (Awards) by Candace Fleming
Writes history in a marvelous way. The words listed in this book allow us to meet Rasputin, a mystic character. Also, these words enable us to travel through the ballrooms cited in the doomed aristocracy. Also, that they let us spend some time in Alexei’s sick room. In addition to this, these words also let us know enough about the hemophiliac heir. The family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the fall of Imperial Russia say all about the real story of Romanovs. The words chosen by the author are deep, and the writing expression is more than enough to win the hearts of the readers.
- Authors: Candace Fleming (Author)
- Publisher: Schwartz & Wade; Illustrated Edition (July 8, 2014)
- Pages: 304 pages
8. The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg by Helen Rappaport
Has a proper balance of drama and story to let the readers stay indulged in reading? It says about the ending days of Romanovs, discusses the devastating civil war and the fall of the empire. The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg by Helen Rappaport has managed to mention the tragedy of the irreplaceable loss of Romanovs in such a way that the readers start feeling the scenes. The choice of words and the choice of sentences is up to the mark. The book shares the details about the murders that marked the turning point in history. Murders that led to the end of the Romanovs who had been stayed rulers for three hundred years.
- Authors: Helen Rappaport (Author)
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin; First Edition (January 19, 2010)
- Pages: 288 pages
9. The Race to Save the Romanovs: The Truth Behind the Secret Plans to Rescue the Russian Imperial Family by Helen Rappaport
Shares about the mysterious murder of the Romanov family that happened in July 1918. This murder was a big mark in history and still affects men in many people.
The murderers gained a lot of attention in this case. The author divides the burden of the fall of the empire equally amongst all the members. The putting of the Tsar and his family into an asylum was a serious conflict. It rose major political, geographical, and logistical issues at that time. That time was when Europe was already at war.
- Authors: Helen Rappaport (Author)
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Press; First Edition (June 26, 2018)
- Pages: 400 pages
10. The Fate of the Romanovs by Greg King, Penny Wilson
Has shocking pieces of evidence that convinces the readers that Anastasia may have survived. It also lists the entries that Tars Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra had written in their diary when they were their living as captives. The Fate of the Romanovs by Greg King, Penny Wilson, gives us a detailed view of the betrayal of the family of Romanovs by their servants. Also, it tells about the rebuilding of lives between the prisoners at Ipatiev House. Moreover, it also has firm pieces of evidence to prove that no brutalizing was carried out by the captors with the Romanov family.
- Authors: Greg King (Author), Penny Wilson (Author)
- Publisher: Wiley; 1st Edition (October 1, 2005)
- Pages: 672 pages
11. The Diary of Olga Romanov: Royal Witness to the Russian Revolution by Helen Azar
Shares a lot of information about the world war I that included the involvement of Russia. This world war led to serious troubles for Tsar Nicholas II and his family. They were put into circumstances that were hard to survive. Olga Nikolaevna was the eldest child of Tsar Nicholas II and was also the great-granddaughter to Queen Victoria. She started to write a diary at the age of ten and shared her views and thoughts about being a grand duchess. But all this was put to an end when her father had to face a crisis and give up his throne.
- Authors: Helen Azar (Author)
- Publisher: Westholme Publishing; 1st Edition (March 23, 2015)
- Pages: 212 pages
12. The Resurrection of the Romanovs: Anastasia, Anna Anderson, and the World’s Greatest Royal Mystery by Greg King and Penny Wilson
Is about the life story of the very convincing impostor of Anastasia. This book has a lot of information related to Anastasia’s life. She was the youngest daughter of Nicholas. One thing about her fate is that her burial was not about her family is incredibly famous. According to information, it is also said that Anastasia was similar to the Grand Duchess, who was missing, and her name was Anna Anderson.The Resurrection of the Romanovs: Anastasia, Anna Anderson, and the World’s Greatest Royal Mystery have true and legit information regarding the Romanovs, including many things and events based on Anastasia’s life.
- Authors: Greg King (Author), Penny Wilson (Author)
- Publisher: Wiley; 1st Edition (January 1, 2011)
- Pages: 397 pages
13. Jewels of the Romanovs: Family & Court by Stefano Papi
Is a remarkable piece of writing that shares much about the Romanovs family? They stayed the rulers in Russia from the year 1613 to 1917. 1917 proved to be the turning point in the lives of Romanovs. It is so because this year led to the fall of their empire. And, it proved to be the year of miseries and complications for the members of the Romanov family. Jewels of the Romanovs: Family & Court by Stefano Papi solves the mysteries of the Russian Imperial jewelry. Every jewel incorporates a complete story in it. Also, this book has several black and white images in it to give readers a better expression.
- Authors: Stefano Papi (Author)
- Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 2nd Edition (October 22, 2013)
- Pages: 352 pages
14. Tatiana Romanov, Daughter of the Last Tsar: Diaries and Letters, 1913–1918 by Helen Azar and Nicholas B. A. Nicholson
Is the first-ever translation of the writings of the second eldest daughter of the Romanov family. It also has annotations provided by an expert. It has the thoughts of a member of the Romanov family during the last year. The second oldest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II was named as Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna. Her mother was the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (wife of Tsar Nicholas II). Tatiana was different from her other sisters due to her dignity, elegance, and poise. Tatiana Romanov, Daughter of the Last Tsar: Diaries and Letters, 1913–1918 by Helen Azar and Nicholas B. A. Nicholson is the expression of Tatiana Nikolaevna in her own words.
- Authors: Helen Azar (Author), Nicholas B. A. Nicholson (Author)
- Publisher: Westholme Publishing; 1st Edition (December 15, 2015)
- Pages: 272 pages
15. In the Steps of the Romanovs: Final two years of the last Russian imperial family (1916-1918) (In their own words) by Helen Azar
Shares the details about the involvement of Russia in the first world war. Russia was a part of the first world war for a tenure of about two years. That world war resulted in miserable situations. Such as forcing Tsar Nicholas II to give upon his throne. And, to make his family face more significant challenges. In the Steps of the Romanovs:: Final two years of the last Russian imperial family (1916-1918) (In their own words) by Helen Azar is the complete detail about the final two years of the last imperial family of Russia.
- Authors: Helen Azar (Author)
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1st Edition (May 1, 2018)
- Pages: 690 pages
16. To Free the Romanovs: Royal Kinship and Betrayal in Europe 1917-1919 by Coryne Hall
Tells about those times that proved no less than a revolutionary period for Russia. It took only a few hours to make the royal family face the music. This made them say goodbye to their lavish and pampered lifestyle. To Free the Romanovs: Royal Kinship and Betrayal in Europe 1917-1919 by Coryne Hall says that in a few months, many people of the impartial family were arrested, and they became the enemies to the people living in Russia. But these people were never in favor of leaving Russia. They just wanted to get back their old lives and their earlier lavish lifestyle.
- Authors: Coryne Hall (Author)
- Publisher: Amberley Publishing (October 1, 2018)
- Pages: 304 pages
17. Russia: Art, Royalty and the Romanovs by Caroline de Guitaut and Stephen Patterson
Russia: Art, Royalty and the Romanovs by Caroline de Guitaut and Stephen Patterson
Supplies information about the histories of the royal families of Russia and Britain. For more than about four hundred years of the artistic and political stories based on the lives of these two nations were presented using the artworks from the Royal Collection, Russia. Russia: Art, Royalty, and the Romanovs by Caroline de Guitaut and Stephen Patterson is a book that has great historical illustrations based on the events and histories if the British and Russians. Through this book, one can get a clear and distinct idea about the lives of these two people. And the presentation of the art is so beautiful that everyone wants to read it.
- Authors: Caroline de Guitaut (Author), Stephen Patterson (Author)
- Publisher: Royal Collection Trust; Illustrated Edition (January 15, 2019)
- Pages: 496 pages
18. The Romanovs’ Murder Case: The Myth of the Basement Room Massacre by T. G. Bolen
Is about the ending of the story of Nicholas II, tsar, and his wife, who was the Princess Alexandra of Hesse. When Nicholas turned fifty, he was very hardly killed by some people, and his body was buried in a grave with eight other people. After he was executed in 1918, the February Revolution being followed. According to the investigations, from the site of a murder that was the basement of the house, other pieces of evidence were also collected. According to Bolen, Homer Slaughter, who was a US Intelligence Officer, was found in the Ipatiev House in the following twenty hours of the murder.
- Authors: T. G. Bolen (Author)
- Publisher: Abbott Press (June 28, 2018)
- Pages: 204 pages
19. The Romanov Files, 1918 – 1953: A Non-fiction Novel by Harry Lee Poe
Tells about the great destruction of the Romanov family on July 17 at Yekaterinburg. It was horrifying, terrible, and a lot devastating. When the Soviet Union turned down, two bodies were absent from all the bodies that were found from the unknown burial place. The Romanov Files, 1918 – 1953: A Non-fiction Novel by Harry Lee Poe also tells about the increasing paranoia of Stalin into insaneness because in hiding his faults, he destroyed the lives of many people. In the escape of the children, he was at fault. The book has both the elements of history and suspense. It is a writing that answers many of the questions related to Stalin’s Soviet state.
- Authors: Harry Lee Poe (Author)
- Publisher: Inklings Press (July 4, 2018)
- Pages: 336 pages
20. History — In Search of History: The Romanovs
Choosing the Best Books on The Romanovs
The Russian Empire forms of various rulers who ruled as per their will. The Golden period of this empire was due to The Great Catherin. Her rule proved to be the turning point for the Russian Empire. Not only this, but also that the reign of Tars Nicholas II also played its part as the turning point of the Russian empire but in the negative aspects. We can say that his rule was the endpoint of this empire. He was the last of the Russian emperors and had to face a lot of miseries after he gave up his throne. Not only him, but all his family had to face the troubles along with him.
