Catherine the Great: A Portrait of a Woman

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

by Robert K. Massie

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	15493 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	840 pages

FREE

Catherine the Great was one of the most powerful and influential women in history. She ruled Russia for over 30 years, and during her reign, she expanded the empire, reformed the government, and patronized the arts. This book tells the story of her life and legacy.

Childhood and Early Life

Catherine was born in Stettin, Prussia, in 1729. Her father was a minor German prince, and her mother was the daughter of a Russian general. Catherine's childhood was unhappy. Her parents were often at odds, and she was often left alone in the care of servants. She was intelligent and curious, but she had little formal education.

Marriage to Peter III

In 1745, Catherine married Peter III, the heir to the Russian throne. Peter was a weak and ineffectual man, and Catherine soon came to despise him. She had several affairs, and she was eventually instrumental in Peter's overthrow.

Reign as Empress

Catherine became empress of Russia in 1762. She was a shrewd and ambitious ruler, and she quickly set about reforming the government and expanding the empire. She reorganized the army and navy, established a new system of taxation, and founded many new cities and schools. She also patronized the arts, and she was a great admirer of French philosophy.

Conquests and Expansion

Under Catherine's leadership, Russia expanded its bFree Downloads in all directions. She conquered Crimea, Poland, and parts of the Ottoman Empire. She also established a presence in Alaska and California. Catherine's conquests made Russia one of the largest and most powerful empires in the world.

Legacy

Catherine the Great died in 1796. She is remembered as one of the greatest rulers in Russian history. She was a brilliant strategist, a skilled diplomat, and a patron of the arts. She expanded the empire, reformed the government, and modernized Russia. She was a true Renaissance woman, and she left a lasting legacy on Russia and the world.

Catherine the Great was a remarkable woman who lived a life of adventure and achievement. She was a powerful ruler, a skilled diplomat, and a patron of the arts. She expanded the empire, reformed the government, and modernized Russia. She was a true Renaissance woman, and she left a lasting legacy on Russia and the world.

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

by Robert K. Massie

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	15493 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	840 pages

FREE