Alexander lived in Paris when he wrote his memoirs, Once a Grand Duke, which were first published in 1932. It is a rich source of dynastical and court life in Imperial Russia’s last half century, and Alexander also describes time spent as guest of the future Abyssinian Emperor Ras Tafari. “The history of the last fifty turbulent years of the Russian Empire provides only a background, but is not the subject of this book. “In compiling this record of a grand duke’s progress I relied on memory only, all my letters, diaries and other documents having been partly burned by me and partly confiscated by the revolutionaries during the years of 1917 and 1918 in the Crimea.”—Alexander, Grand Duke of Russia, Foreword

Former Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovic of Russia presents his memoirs and his reflections on the downfall of the Romanov family in this enlightening account of the final fifty years of the Russian Empire. The author narrates his childhood experiences growing up in the Caucuses and explains how he turned away from his expected role within the army in favour of serving in the navy. He describes his visits to South Africa, America and Europe and we see the headstrong Duke’s love of the outdoors. When his cousin becomes Tsar Nicholas II, Alexander Mikhailovic must play a part in the government and the reader is given an inside perspective of the running of the Russian Empire. His distorted perspective of autocracy is presented unapologetically and his opinions are often hypocritical. His hatred of the liberals who were responsible for the deaths of many of his friends and family members is unsurprising, but is contradicted by his own liberal ideas and rebellion against the Orthodox Church. This volume’s contents include: - Our Friends of December the Fourteenth - A Grand Duke is Born - My First War - An Emperor in Love - A Grand Duke Comes of Age - My Relatives - Millions That Were - Nicholas II Read & Co. History is proud to have republished this unique account of the last fifty years of the Russian empire and the events leading up to the fated February Revolution. Not to be missed by those with an interest in Russian history and the Romanov dynasty.

This is a new release of the original 1933 edition.

This biography of Xenia, sister of Nicholas II gives a new angle on the Romanov story and provides new information on relationships within the family after the Revolution. Important new letters and photographs are also included.