Comprised of vivid and powerful portraits of the entire family, Lindsey Hughes’s The Romanovs traces the history of the dynasty through Russia’s imperial age. It is a classic text which examines how the Romanovs shaped the politics, society, art and philosophy of their times and led to the establishment of Russia as one of the great world powers. The book illustrates exactly what and how the family contributed to the creation and evolution of the nation, providing a unique way of understanding imperial Russia more broadly in the process.

Erika Monahan has enhanced the book in this new edition with new chapters on Sophia and ruling the empire, as well as swathes of fresh material on the reigns of Alexander II and Alexander III, the peripheries of the empire, the role of the Grand Dukes and Empresses, and developments in trade and the economy. There are numerous maps and 40 images now included, in addition to primary source textboxes, a glossary, a timeline, chapter synopses and helpful further reading lists that act as useful tools for study. The book has also been updated throughout to take account of recent scholarship in the field.

The Romanovs is vital reading for anyone seeking to learn more about imperial Russia and the dynasty which ruled it.