Part One: Tzar Nicholas II Was A Real Dick

In 'The Last Tsar', Edvard Radzinsky provides a detailed and poignant account of the life and final days of Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia. The book explores the Romanov family's happier times and their tragic end, drawing from previously hidden diaries and letters. Radzinsky also examines the circumstances surrounding the execution of the tsar and his family in 1918, shedding light on historical mysteries.

This book is an intimate and gripping chronicle of the Romanov dynasty, covering three centuries of their rule. It delves into the lives of twenty tsars and tsarinas, revealing their secret world of unlimited power, ruthless empire-building, palace conspiracies, family rivalries, and sexual decadence. The narrative spans from Ivan the Terrible to Nicholas II, including key figures like Peter the Great and Catherine the Great, and culminates with the tragic end of the Romanov family during the Russian Revolution. Montefiore's work is based on new archival research and provides a vivid portrait of the Romanovs, their court life, and the dynamics of power that defined their reign.

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.