Peter the Great

His Life and World

By: Robert K. Massie

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Length: 43 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

This superbly told story brings to life one of the most remarkable rulers––and men––in all of history and conveys the drama of his life and world. The Russia of Peter's birth was very different from the Russia his energy, genius, and ruthlessness shaped. Crowned co-Tsar as a child of ten, after witnessing bloody uprisings in the streets of Moscow, he would grow up propelled by an unquenchable curiosity, everywhere looking, asking, tinkering, and learning, fired by Western ideas.

We see Peter in his 20s traveling "incognito" with his ambassadors to the courts of Europe; as the victorious soldier proclaimed Emperor; as the simple workman at his forge; and as the visionary statesman who single-handedly created a formidable world power. Impetuous and stubborn, bawdy and stern, relentless in his perseverance, he was capable of the greatest generosity and the greatest cruelty.

©1980 Robert K. Massie (P)1991 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Enthralling.... As fascinating as any novel and more so than most!" ( New York Times Book Review)

Essential book for European History

Starting out a little daunted by the 43+ hours of life I would have to devote to the recording of this book, after not too long I would look forward each day to my time devoted to listening to this tome. Massie has done an exhaustive job of describing Peter the Great as well as Europe and the Ottoman Empire of the time. I am so glad to have listened to this book. The in depth research and writing about many other characters including Charies XII of Sweden was probably not strictly necessary in a bio of Peter the Great. However, I am glad to know so much more of the era and its players. Audio books have greatly progressed since their inception in the late ‘70s, and ‘80s. There were certain expectations in the early days about how a narrator should sound - Mr. Davidson to our current day ears for the most part does not help the book, although his ability to impeccably pronounce words regardless of their origin is admirable. I did find that I had to ignore his annoying snobby accent and got used to the lisp and the loss of audio quality especially at the end of sentences. in his day, Davidson was a prolific audiobook narrator - his Wikipedia entry is quite interesting. I think that this book justifies an audiobook re-make to better suit our modern ears and to improve its audio quality, which would probably help with sales in light of all the negative reviews about the audio. This is such an important work, and provides a lot of background into the present day, everyone should read it.

Accent Fatigue

Where does Peter the Great rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Most educational. Almost gruelingly so.

What other book might you compare Peter the Great to and why?

Similar to "John Adams" for the important historical information each imparts.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I liked the timbre of the voice…but the heavy, heavy formal British accent almost killed me. I got so fatigued, after a while, listening to Mr. Davidson's drawn, then clipped, drawn again King's English I felt compelled to ask my imaginary Pat Sajak if I could buy an R. Picture Professor Henry Higgins giving diction lessons to Rex Harrison. The cure, turns out, is small doses.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The descriptions of torture. I cried.

Any additional comments?

Take your medicine…in small doses.

Outstanding book!

The book was wonderful. Robert Massie is a brilliant writer. I was enchanted with the book from page 1 and could not stop reading it. agree that the narrator's accent and style were not the greatest. But the narrator is an acquired taste. I initially did not like the narrator but it did not take long before I began to enjoy him. And I had no problem understanding him.

Frederick Davidson narrates another stellar work

In fine fashion Frederick Davidson reads another great biography. So much Russian history is learned through the life of a legend, Peter the Great. Of course, we are long since removed from the humanity aspect of what it took Peter I to do in order to advance Russian society into the Industrial Age. Massie wrote that when the tsar died Russia had zero debt. He made the current Russian people pay for all of his enlightened energy and determination. It saved the Romanov dynasty for another 192 years after his death.

Fantastic in Every Way!

The character and world of Peter the Great come to life along with many other contemporaries. Although lengthy, it is worth the investment because it touches on so many interesting aspects of world politics, warfare and human nature.

History that Reads Like A Novel

Loved it even though a commitment. A book about Peter The Great who transformed his country sometimes with great thought, will, & yes brutality. The story primarily centers around Peter The Great & King Charles of Sweden.

What a force in 53 years!

This was such a deep dive and thorough explanation of such an influential and history making man.

GREAT history

A great historical narrative of Peter's life and much of the related history of related leaders and states and cultures. Massie gives much insight into Peter's character and drive, indicating his accomplishments and importance for the world.

A treat and a pleasure.

I take exception to the first reviewer's comments about the quality of the narration. I find Davidson's narration to be nuanced and enjoyable, and think it's a treat to experience Massie's thrilling biography as an audiobook. As I prepare for the publication of Massie's biography of Catherine the Great in the fall of 2011, it's a true pleasure to reencounter this classic work of biography/history as read by this accomplished narrator.

My Favorite HIstorian!

Here is another example of a masterful storyteller and historian at work. The Massie histories read like personal biographies—amply supported by contemporary letters and memoirs, they furnish memorable and personal accounts of the time. You will be much enriched by this book, as well as all others that Massie has authored.

Here one learns a number of unforgettable and vivid stories about Peter the Great. For example, his frequent habit of traveling abroad “incognito” in order to satisfy his insatiable curiosity about the technology and culture of the lands he visited without the waste of time and needless formality that he would have encountered on an official visit as Czar of Russia. A man of restless energy and great ambition, he recognized early on that Russia must learn from the West, rather than stay isolated in its own traditions (a lesson the current leader, Mr. Putin, might well ponder anew). We also learn that Peter was a man of good luck. His great victory over the Swedish King Karl XII was nearly thrown away two years later when the Ottoman Turks in loose alliance with the Swedes were in a position to destroy the bulk of Peter’s army and likely would have had Karl been on the scene. Instead, a very mild peace was agreed by a Turkish commander who did not fully understand the strength of his position.

You will enjoy this book for the many great insights on the period brought alive by personal stories, apt descriptions, and extremely well informed commentary of Mr. Massie, all supported by meticulous research and a very rare talent for interesting and engaging writing.