An in-depth biography of one of the most resilient, intelligent and wittiest monarchs of the 18th century going from her childhood to her coronation as Empress of Russia and finally to the end of her life.

Though this book might seem quite the challenge for some readers (approximately 700 pages), I found it very well-paced, wonderfully written and punctuated with humour.

I didn't know much about Catherine II, Empress of Russia, but after reading this biography, I wish to discover more about her reign as well as about Russian history as a whole.

Massie, Robert K. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman, Head of Zeus Ltd, United Kingdom, London, 2019.