Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie business who “dreaded being dragged” before

who “dreaded being dragged” before the divorce court

but she is “hard to warm to”

At a time when economics and politics are ever more polarized between left and right

reckless driving and lots and lots of lovely chemsex” (drug-fuelled orgies)

ranges from Omaha and Michigan to Harlem and Mecca

Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie business who “dreaded being dragged” beforeThe extraordinary story of an obscure German princess who became one of the most powerful women in history. Born into a minor noble family, Catherine transformed herself into empress of Russia by sheer determination. For thirty four years, the government, foreign policy, cultural development and welfare of the Russian people were in her hands. She dealt with domestic rebellion, foreign wars and the tidal wave of political change and violence churned