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Books about Catherine the great
15
items On 8th July 1782 Catherine the great overthrown her husband. She is most influenial momarchs in history
Sections
3
Biographies and Historical Accounts
Historical Fiction Based on Her Life
Cultural & Social Histories
Biographies and Historical Accounts
Deeply researched and vividly written Explores her personal life, political acumen, and philosophical leanings. Pulitzer Prize–winning author which a great starting point for general readers
Catherine The Great: Portrait Of A Woman
Combines political history with rich personal narrative. Insightful about gender, court life, and power dynamics
Catherine The Great: Love, Sex, and Power
First-person account of her early life, rise to power, and self-image Offers insight into her mind and intentions Includes annotations for modern readers
The Memoirs of Catherine the Great
Smooth narrative, shorter than Massie's but still insightful Good for readers seeking an overview
Catherine, Empress of All The Russias
A narrative-driven biography focused on her rise to power .Written by a popular historian known for making royal lives accessible
Catherine the Great and Potemkin: Imperial Love
Historical Fiction Based on Her Life
Dramatic and richly imagined which brings 18th-century court life to life
The Winter Palace: Novel of Young Catherine
Emotional and reflective which balances fact with fiction
Empress of the Night
Fictionalized memoir of Catherine’s imagined daughter Mixes fact and fiction for an engaging court drama. Not historically accurate but vivid and emotionally immersive
The Tsarina's Daughter
Alternates between a modern woman selling Catherine’s possessions and Catherine’s own rise to power. Explores ambition, gender, and legacy .A literary twist on traditional historical fiction
The Imperial Wife: A Novel
Historical mystery series featuring European courts, with some Catherine-era intrigue. Not directly about Catherine but her court and time period influence the setting
The Rival Queens (Countess Ashby Book 2)
Cultural & Social Histories
Looks at how Catherine was perceived during and after her reign .Explores myths, propaganda, and her image in Russian history
Catherine the Great: Life and Legend
Catherine's reign in the broader context of Russian women's history which academic but accessible
Women in Russian History: 10th to 20th Century
Lavish and richly illustrated exhibition book Explores how Catherine used art to craft imperial identity .Focus on architecture, painting, collecting, and the founding of the Hermitage Museum.
Catherine The Great: Art For Empire - Hermitage
Thorough scholarly work on how Catherine governed and reformed institutions Strong focus on serfdom, law, education, and Enlightenment-inspired policies .Examines how her reforms affected Russian society and identity
Russia in the Age of Catherine the Great
Analyzes portraits, writings, coins, and plays that constructed her image. Investigates how she consciously shaped her public identity — as ruler, woman, and enlightened monarch
Catherine the Great & Celebrity Culture, 18th C