Michael and Natasha

By: Rosemary Crawford, Donald Crawford

Narrated by: Nadia May

Length: 18 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

He was Grand Duke Michael, handsome brother of Tsar Nicholas II. She was the beautiful twice-divorced daughter of a Moscow lawyer. Their scandalous love affair and their runaway marriage to Vienna in 1912, trailed by the Tsar's secret police, caused uproar in Russia and was the talk of all Europe.

Based on hundreds of letters which have long been hidden in the Russian state archive in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as on Michael's private diaries held by the Forbes Collection in New York, Michael and Natasha is one of the greatest and most dramatic love stories of this century.

It is also a book which sheds significant new light on the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. Michael, proclaimed Emperor on the abdication of his brother in 1917, was arrested three times thereafter and was the first Romanov to be murdered, though Natasha escaped, disguised as a nun.

This is a book of immense historical interest, impressively researched; but above all it is a compelling love story set across the background of imperial Russia, of war, and of bloody revolution.

©1997 Rosemary and Donald Crawford (P)1998 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"The authors, both journalists, have crafted a compelling, well-researched account of an aspect of Russian history not widely known. Highly recommended." (Library Journal)

Loved It

A very good read. Put historical events in perspective of someone's life - never dull or boring. The reader was also quite good.

An amazing story and well researched history

One of the best histories I've read (or listened to). Extensively researched and tells a story true to history: an incredible, romantic, sad and complex story. Also a good history of WWI and the Bolshevik revolution, not from the view of Lenin or Czar Nicholas II but of Grand Duke Michael and Natasha.

Truth is stranger than fiction ...

Where does Michael and Natasha rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Michael and Natasha was a great surprise. I stumbled upon it and found it fascinating. I don't usually listen to history, but this was more like a novel.

What did you like best about this story?

It reads like fiction, but it's all too true. Russian history of the twentieth century is simply incredible. This book draws on newly revealed archival information. Great historical events are told from the point of view of the individuals involved, making it come alive.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Pronounce Russian names correctly.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was hard to put down. However, it seemed to end rather quickly after the climax. I would have liked more of a denouement. The final history of Natasha and family could be given in more detail. I didn't want it to end.

Great story but too long ...

This is a great story to understand the early 19th Century Russia. I have always been fascinated by the Romanov stories.

However, the book is too long and occasionally sounds like a gossip magazine from early 1800s.

The authors get carried away with details such as where Michael parks his car, which hotel room they stayed in, what they ate some night, etc.. These details make the book unbearable at times . I got the impression that authors tried to show off with how much detail they know about this couple.

I would still recommend the book. If there is an abridged version, that I would strongly recommend.

Attila Koksal

Riviting!

This work of history reads like a novel. It provides a very personal inside look at European history in the early 20th. century. The narrator is superb, providing very believable accents

More than a Love Story

The writers managed very successfully to stitch together an account of Michael and Natasha’s lives from letters and other sources in a manner that breathed life into what could have been very dry material, yet they did so without getting carried away or drifting too far from facts. For me, the background of this love story, the fall of the Romanoffs and Tsarist Russia was more interesting than their relationship – but that is why I read the book in the first place. Never straying far from the known facts, there is a tendency to include far too many love letters, word for soppy word, which is my only criticism. It is beautifully read.

Wonderful Book

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

Yes, It tells a great story. I learned a lot through this book that I never allowed myself to believe.

What does Nadia May bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She was a GREAT reader and lovely accent....

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was a bitter sweet book... But I truly loved it....

Any additional comments?

I have studied the Romanovs for many decades and this book has changed my views on Nicholas & Alexandra. Always allowing myself to blindly see them as miss understood, I now view them as the reason for their own downfall. Not easy for me to say that as I love the Russian Royal family's history but, in my new opinion I see Alexandra as a huge reason for what happened to them. I would say this book is one of my favorite Romanov books out there.

Great book!

A must-read for history lovers! If you are familiar with the Romanoff's history, this book will make you look at a number of well-known historical facts from a different perspective. The authors do an excellent job at picturing their characters as mere mortals as far as their feelings and emotions are concerned, and yet underlining how dramatically differently their lives could have turned out should they not be burdened by their royal duties. Although I was not overly impressed with the narrator, I nonetheless enjoyed the book very much. If you like this book, I would also recommend Antonia Fraser's "Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King", outstandingly narrated by Rosalyn Landor.

A beautiful love story

Heart breaking and a wonderful read about two people rather than a history of the Russian revolution.

Historic presentation at its best

Very enjoyable! The author seems to have done good research for the book. There is an undeniable exciting backdrop, namely the russian royal family and the decades leading up to the russian revolution. Commendable and pleasing narration from the author. And of course a window into almost every girls secret dream, a passionate and romantic love story that defies society. Almost like a good love novel but with the additional aspect of being true history. A truely compelling look into the lesser known persons in the periphery around the last russian tsar. Historic presentation at its best in my view.