I recently read Robert K. Massie’s Peter the Great: His Life and World (Modern Library) (Amazon affiliate link) and am rereading his book Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman (Amazon affiliate link).
Both books together provide a historical perspective on the current Ukraine crisis. I should note, however, that I initially read Catherine the Great last year and started Peter the Great earlier this year, prior to the current crisis. Having read both books, I have a good understanding of Russia’s history concerning Crimea and that knowledge helps to put the current crisis in better perspective.
Although I cannot do justice in writing about the book Peter the Great, I will provide a quick review. It is an immense book of over 1100 pages that, according to Wikipedia, in 1981 earned Robert K. Massie a Pulitzer Prize for Biography.
Peter the Great at about 201 cm or 6’7” was a towering leader, both literally and figuratively. I am impressed by his willingness to fight wars alongside his army; his constant search for new and novel things, including knowledge and education in almost all topics; his passion for people and their potential, regardless of their rank or station in life; his love of his family and country; and his general enthusiasm for life.
Given that he was the sovereign, he could have easily escaped any role or responsibility for personally fighting wars. Yet, he fought alongside those who placed their lives at risk. And, he was demanding leader who constantly sought to better his armies.
With his prominent role as a leader within his armies, I am surprised at his passion for knowledge and learning. Whenever he traveled, he always asked to be shown new things. And, if the person said that there was nothing new to show, then he asked to be shown everything, for he might find something new even if his host did not. He loved books and brought as many back to St. Petersburg as possible. Even more impressive was his breadth of interests—everything from shipbuilding to medical surgery.
Despite his prominent role as the sovereign of Russia, he did not limit his contacts only to those born into upper society. Instead, he preferred those individuals who rose on their merits. Moreover, he worked hard and he played hard with all ranks of people. From fighting in the trenches to shipbuilding to socializing with foreigners to dancing on tabletops, he saw it as all part of his job. I also admired how he changed and modernized Russian society, demanded religious tolerance, championed industry and commerce as well as promoted the roles of women within society.
Although he died young at only fifty two, toward the latter part of his life he was preoccupied with succession. He wanted to ensure that all his accomplishments would be continued and strengthened. He designated his wife, which at that time was unusual for a woman to lead, to succeed him. Russia needed to keep advancing forward.
Overall I simply admired his passion for life. Even though he was responsible for Russia, he still enjoyed learning as much as he could and even working with hands, whether it was shipbuilding or his daily two hours working on a lathe to build things. He always saw opportunities to continue to learn and develop.
A leader such as Peter the Great comes along, perhaps, every few centuries. I no longer think it is possible for another leader to match his accomplishments. No leader today could have his wide array of interests without being labeled crazy. For example, no leader today could have serious interests in shipbuilding, war, nation building, and surgery. Each of those of specialties now take a lifetime of preparation and study.
I am sad to have finished the book, because I enjoyed learning of Peter the Great’s latest accomplishments.
Even aside from learning about Peter the Great, I enjoyed traveling back in time to imagine what life must have been like. All the emotions and dramas that play a part of our lives today were equally prevalent back then.
Regarding Catherine the Great, although I had read the book last year, I decided to reread it with having Peter the Great as background knowledge. I am finding the book even richer and more interesting now than I did before. Perhaps once I am finished Catherine the Great, I will provide another book review.
Switching topics, having read Peter the Great and Catherine the Great and being of Ukrainian ancestry, I am interested the Ukraine crisis. Even though I don’t want to comment too much on the current crisis, I will provide a brief discussion in the form of a few links to different information sources for those wanting to know more. I have read almost every recent article on the topic from the British Broadcasting Corporation, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times. And with deepening crisis, I recently started a subscription to Stratfor, a global intelligence website. From having read as much as I can, I have learned that there are many different viewpoints. I tend to disregard those articles that are simply ad hominem attacks, for they reveal nothing. Instead, I try to understand the driving motivations and possible outcomes.
As I write, the situation is still fluid. At present, John Kerry and Sergey Lavrov are planning to meet soon in hopes of finding a path through the crisis. Each of the previously mentioned sources have useful articles. I will highlight below some of the articles that I have found helpful in framing this crisis. Each of the articles is free; however, registration might be required.
- “Ukraine Turns From Revolution to Recovery” (Stratfor)
- “Ukraine’s Increasing Polarization and the Western Challenge” (Stratfor)
- “How the Ukraine crisis ends” (Washington Post)
- “As tensions build, U.S. facing ’zero options‘ in Ukraine” (PBS News Hour)
- “Russia Examines Its Options for Responding to Ukraine” (Stratfor)
- “From Estonia to Azerbaijan: American Strategy After Ukraine” (Stratfor)
My above list is by no means exhaustive. As mentioned, each of my earlier sources has helpful and informative articles. And, if you are trying to understand this situation, you should read as many differing viewpoints from different sources as possible.
I hope that this unfortunate situation is resolved soon and peacefully.