An account of the Empress of Russia who expanded her vast country's borders south to the Black Sea and west into Europe while continuing the Westernization begun by Peter the Great. Catherine's love affairs with different officers and politicians were widely publicized, though much of what was published was not true. Nevertheless, most of her lovers were promoted to the highest ranks and some of them proved to be extremely talented people (for instance prince Patiomkin, a very prominent general and politician). Contents: Catherine's Girlhood; The Grand Duchess; The Revolution of 1762; The Orlof Ascendancy; Patiomkin and the Minor Favorites; The Crimean Journey; The Death of Patiomkin; The Last Years; and Catherine the Great. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.