In this captivating conversation, historian Simon Sebag Montefiore delves into the extraordinary life of Peter the Great, who towered at 6'8 and dramatically reshaped Russia. Discover how his chaotic rise to power was marred by extravagant debauchery, including dwarf-throwing and wheelbarrow races. Montefiore also explores Peter’s ambitious military campaigns and his monumental project of founding Saint Petersburg. With a complex legacy filled with triumph and tragedy, Peter's reign laid the groundwork for modern Russia.
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Peter’s Traumatic Childhood
Peter the Great witnessed a violent Streltsy rebellion at age 10.
This traumatic event shaped his personality and thirst for absolute power.
insights INSIGHT
Peter's PTSD and Interests
Peter the Great likely developed PTSD and epilepsy from his childhood trauma.
He disliked books but showed a strong interest in hands-on activities and technology.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Jolly Company
Peter the Great founded the "Jolly Company," known for excessive drinking and debauchery.
Two prime ministers died of alcohol poisoning under his rule.
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Simon Sebag Montefiore's "The World: A Family History of Humanity" is a comprehensive and engaging exploration of human history. The book traces the interconnectedness of human societies across continents and millennia, highlighting the common threads that unite us. Montefiore masterfully weaves together political, social, and cultural narratives, providing a rich tapestry of human experience. The book explores the rise and fall of empires, the development of civilizations, and the enduring power of human ingenuity. It offers a fresh perspective on the human story, emphasizing the shared experiences and common destinies of humanity.
Catherine the Great and Potemkin
The Imperial Love Affair
Simon Sebag Montefiore
This book delves into one of history's most significant love stories, that of Catherine the Great and Prince Grigory Potemkin. It details their passionate and creative partnership, which was both sensual and visionary. The biography, based on extensive research including their intimate letters, reveals how they seized Ukraine and Crimea, defining the Russian empire. The author captures the genius of these two Enlightenment figures, their political achievements, and the unique arrangement they developed to balance their personal and public lives[1][2][4].
The Story of Russia
Orlando Figes
Stalin
The Court of the Red Tsar
Simon Sebag Montefiore
This biography transforms our understanding of Stalin as Soviet dictator, Marxist leader, and Russian tsar. Based on groundbreaking research, Simon Sebag Montefiore reveals the daily life, family relationships, and the brutal cruelty of Stalin's secret world. The book is praised for its elegant prose, rich detail, and the author's ability to humanize Stalin while highlighting his brutal and chilling nature. It is a masterful and terrifying account that has become a classic of modern history writing.
Potemkin
A Picture of Catherine's Russia
George Soloveytchik
This book provides a detailed historical account of Prince Grigory Potemkin, a soldier, statesman, and lover of Catherine the Great. It explores his influence on Russian politics and society during Catherine's reign. The book offers insights into the political and social landscape of 18th-century Russia.
A giant of Russian history, and a giant of a man. Peter the Great, standing at 6'8, established Russia as the world power that it is today and is famously one of Vladimir Putin's inspirations. He expanded Russia's borders, modernised the state, and built St Petersburg from a swamp. Yet with all this, he still found time for drunken debauchery of the most absurd level; he enjoyed dwarf-throwing, wheelbarrow racing, and creating the position of Archdeacon Fuck-Off for his ministers. Listen as William and Anita are once again joined by Simon Sebag Montefiore to discuss the quite unbelievable life of Peter the Great, the first emperor of Russia.
Empire 
