Journal of a Russian Grand Duchess (Last Russian Imperial Family In Their Own Words Book 3)

For any Romanov addict, this volume is must-reading, no matter what any reviewer would say. But it serves a purpose beyond satisfying unsatisfiable addictions.The first thing that strikes a reader about the Grand Duchess Olga's diary for 1913 is that it is largely a journal of activities. Unfortunately,Olga did not commit to paper thoughtful reflections. She was supposed to have been the most thoughtful and reflective of Nicholas and Alexandra's daughters, and there is no reason to doubt that she was. That sort of thing just did not make it into her diary. The same was apparently true of her father's diary, which some historians have used to argue -- probably unfairly -- that Nicholas was a shallow person.But even a journal of activities can have value, and this one certainly does. To read almost every single day a notation that her mother was not feeling well gives a new perspective on Alexandra's health. It is hardly anything new to say that she was not a healthy woman. But again, to read a notation almost every single day that she was unwell must raise a question as to whether Alexandra was physically capable of being the dominant figure in the Russia government historians have assumed that she was after Nicholas assumed command of the Russian armies and went to thefront. The evidence in her daughter's diary makes it hard to believe that she could have been.(The diary covers 1913, not World War I. But it seems a very fair assumption that Alexandra did not get healthier as she got older.)The most touching part of the diary is Olga's hopeless passion for Pavel Voronov, an officer on the imperial yacht, the Standart. Even at seventeen, her age for most of 1913, Olga must have known that she would never be permitted to marry him. But even the unreflective entries seem to show a depth of feeling far beyond a crush. Were her thoughts of Voronov an escape from the stresses of her mother's health? We'll never know and perhaps it is wrong to wonder. Maybe it should be enough to accept a 17-year-old girl's affection for a man she found pleasant and charming, and assume that it was all pure and positive. Perhaps in the age of the Kardasians, that is something to treasure.

This translation exclusively covers Olga's diary for the year 1913 - the 300th anniversary of the Romanov reign. Olga writes not only about her day-to-day life, but also about the various ceremonies and trips she participated in as part of the celebration of the anniversary. The general perception of the Grand Duchesses is that they had very isolated, boring lives, but it's plain here that Olga certainly didn't see it that way! Her diary is full of games, walks, visits with family, etc. Also, hardly an entry goes by without mentioning that her mother (Empress Alexandra) is unwell, which really brings home the day-to-day reality of Alexandra's health and the effect it must have had on the family. Like a "normal" teenager, Olga also writes a good deal about her crush, recording every time she gets to see him or talk to him. A very good bug-on-the-wall view into the daily lives of the Imperial Family before the war and revolution hit.

The book is an interesting read. Wish the pictures were in one spot instead of threw out the book and footnotes at the back of the book. That would make it a much easier read.

I'm glad this translation of Olga's 1913 diary was published, since Baker's translation has been out of print and very difficult to obtain for several years. It includes a large number of photos, many of which are not well known. Definitely worth the purchase if you're interested in the Romanov daughters.

Informative and fast reading! Thank you.

Magnificent! Thanks to Helen for her intense work brought from historical records. As from an imparcial writer, I believe this lady is a very serious writer whose work will be trascendent through many generations! She has uncovered a time capsule on this amazing lady from the last Russian imperial family.

Another excellent Romanov book from Helen Azar! Delighted to add it to my library.

My granddaughter loved the books.

This is the full 1913 diary of Olga Romanov, the eldest daughter of the Tsar Nicholas II. It details the daily life, passions, loves of this bright and special young woman. It also details the court life and the Romanov tercentenary. It should be read step by step in order not to end up get bored since it's not packed with events and adventure. However, what I liked is that you can have a glimpse into the soul of Olga from the way she herself writes, expresses her feelings here and there, her anxiety for the future, her religiosity, and her love crushes. The last month's entries are particularly revealing of a grown-up, sensitive woman.

Do not buy this book. It is a waste of money of a so called book, which is pretty much a copy and paste of Grand Duchess Olga Romanov’s 1913 diary. Spelling mistakes are a common feature of the book (the part which does not belong to the diary). There is zero enthusiasm in how the book is introduced. After reading it, I am convinced it was written by a seven-year-old. Monotone and bland. The pictures are another disappointment. Blurry and the writer has input the most idiotic captions to explain what/who the pictures represent. One example is “Olga reading on the beach”. It takes a blind person to realise that this is what the Grand Duchess does in the picture. Could they not have come with a more intriguing caption? Does Amazon even review the books they are printing?

boring, badly presented

excellent, a fuller version of the previous diary for Olga yet the introduction reminds me a lot of road to revolution.

Ce livre décrit le mode de vie d'une princesse russe au début du XXe siècle. Il est fait pour ceux qui s'intéressent aux Romanov en général et à la fille aînée de Nicolas II en particulier. On peut y voir les pensées de cette jeune fille, ses amours cachés et l'amour qu'elle porte à ses parents à travers son journal qui passe l'année 1913 au complet (c'est-à-dire l'année du tricentenaire de la dynastie des Romanov).