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)

Informative & well-narrated

While the publication of this book is starting to show it’s age, it is still quite informative and interesting. The breadth of the book is incredible but does not detract from the book’s intent nor does it bog the reader or listener down with too much detail.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to see a newer version published on account of the post-Soviet Union era. I suspect there may be small details here and there that were inaccessible during the research phase of this book, and as such, a newer publication or updated version might provide additional insight.

Thanks!

How to butcher every single name in a book

The book is interesting. However, all names were mispronounced beyond recognition. I recommend involving a native Russian speaker to consult on such occasions

Excellent Book and Reader, Mediocre Producer

This is an extraordinary story of an extraordinary person who moved an entire country ahead at least 100 years from the position in civilization in which he inherited rulership.

Few people have had such impact on their society. Only the name of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk comes to mind in recent times. Theodore Roosevelt may have moved the USA ahead a decade and perhaps Abraham Lincoln moved the the USA ahead several decades but Peter moved his country at least a century.

The voice of the reader is excellent and he does well with phrases and names in many languages.

My only complaint is in the production of this book and many others. It is impossible for a reader to adequately mimic the voice of a child or member of the opposite sex and particularly such very different people with significant foreign accents. That is an impossible task and should be replaced by a reader of the proper sex or age for quotations. This reader does as good a job as most other readers but even the worlds best reader is inadequate when given such a task.

Awesome

Interesting, fun, educational, addictive and superb. I previously read his "Catherine the Great" and lovedit.

Fascinating biography

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are interested in history, this is a great read because peter the great is a fascinating character. The book is extremely well researched and balances creating a narrative and relating history very well.

What about Frederick Davidson’s performance did you like?

The narrator has a very clear voice that is easy to listen to.

Any additional comments?

Great value!

Not for everyone........

What did you love best about Peter the Great?

It is a wonderful book about Peter the Great, if you're into the 17th and 18th centuries. But be for warned this is about russia and there's a lot of russian names. I say this because the narrator pronounces them (I'm assuming correctly) and keeps on going, whether you have had to time to digest them of not. I read several of the the reviews stating they couldn't understand the narrator. I have no idea where they get that. I have listened to well more than half of the book and have had no difficulty with the narration. The time Massie took doing research must have been incredible. Especially when you consider this was written during the USSR days. It's truly incredible! Great book if you like in depth detailed historys!

Crazy and brilliant

If you could sum up Peter the Great in three words, what would they be?

a good tour of a great man, great in the sense of large, powerful, world-changing, not in the spiritual sense!

What did you like best about this story?

The view of Russia at that point in time, and getting to know Peter's arch-nemesis Charles the 5th of Sweden. We need a good English-language bio of him, now!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

We Will Be Modern (and have ships)

An enjoyable listen: solid on use of authorative s

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes: particularly if I knew that my friend had an interest in Russian and European history.

What did you like best about this story?

It explained in detail why Peter is regarded as "The great" and much insight was provided into the European power struggles from the late Seventeen Century.

What aspect of Frederick Davidson’s performance would you have changed?

The tempo - sometimes ponderous and a little too much of the Oxbridge.

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

The determination to build St Petersburg as the new capital of Russia.

Any additional comments?

This is the second of Massey's books purchased from Audible. I plan to buy and read more of them: Massey's style is lively, informative and it seems that every attempt is made to research thoroughly and to represent issues in a fair and balanced manner.

Understanding Russia

Would you consider the audio edition of Peter the Great to be better than the print version?

Unknown

What did you like best about this story?

This book has provided me a better insight into the culture that is Russia. The history of these people, as related to Peter, gives you specifics of the customs, and perspectives of these people. After seeing their perceptions, I now understand why they see us the way they do. Outstanding book.

I can't hear you

I returned this book. I tried to listen; I tried for 7 hours, but the narrater (Frederick Davidson) never improved. I had to listen at regular speed - going faster would have been a nightmare.
*** His voice is very modulated and at the end of some sentences he drops his volume so low or becomes so inarticulate as to be almost inaudible. ***
I have good hearing (age 64), but I looked up how to return a book because my uncle (early 80's) found it much too difficult to decipher. The story wasn't captivating enough to put up with the frustrations of having to guess what the author was sayin, so I returned my book as well. We had both been reading because a cousin had read it (actually read, not listened to) to understand the background of current Russia.