Author Topic: Last diary of Tsaritsa Alexandra (Read 6592 times)

Grand Duchess Jennifer · « **on:** February 17, 2009, 11:40:04 PM »

I was surprised that there was no topic on this book yet.

So I decided to make one!

It's rather expensive on Amazon. (over $50!) I was thinking about getting a used copy.

Is the book worth it to get? Or should I choose another book?

Alexander1917 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2009, 07:10:00 AM »

I got a copy with a foreword by Massie. it starts in 1918 and finished on the evening before....There are also many pics and facsimilies of the real diary..

Teddy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2009, 01:11:33 PM »

I love this book. But I hope that some day, also her other diaries can be read to the public!

Robert_Hall · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2009, 01:18:19 PM »

I have it as well. It is okay, I suppose. I bought it when it came out at half the price and had no idea it has increased in value so much in such a short time. Good luck finding it used. Try Ebay?

Tina · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2009, 01:32:58 PM »

Sounds like a good book. I think I've heard about it before. $:-\$ I could try and get a copy too.

Grand Duchess Jennifer · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2009, 04:14:25 PM »

For Canadians: http://www.amazon.ca/Last-Diary-Tsaritsa-Alexandra/dp/0300072120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234935428&sr=1-1
For Americans: http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Tsaritsa-Alexandra-Annals-Communism/dp/0300072120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234994602&sr=8-1#

I'm going to buy it. Everyone here seems to think it's OK. Oh, and on the first entry it tells the temperatures of Olga and Tatiana. Is that in F or C? I'm just curious.

I'll probably make the order around 7 or 8 PM, so you can still explain if it's good or not to me.

Sarushka · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2009, 04:18:04 PM »

Quote from: Grand Duchess Jennifer on February 17, 2009, 11:40:04 PM

Is the book worth it to get? Or should I choose another book?

It depends on what you're interested in. If you want a sense of Alexandra's "voice" and her emotions and opinions, a book of letters like A Lifelong Passion would likely be a better choice.

In general, Alexandra's diary entries are brief, abbreviated, and businesslike. There are notations regarding temperature, daily walks, the children's lessons, the family's health, religious services, and so forth. Reflection and introspection are rare. Some people find her style tedious and mundane, while others appreciate the small details relating to the IF's captivity.

Here's a sample of a typical entry:

Tobolsk 3/16 February
-11 Tuesday

Wrote & read.

1:00.
Lunched downstairs.
Looked through accounts with Zhilik.

5:00.
tea.
Rested. --

8:00.
Dined with Baby.
Spoke over money affairs with Valia.
Nicholas read to us.
Heard that dear old General Ivanov has been killed at Kiev & also Metropolitan Vladimir.

Syrobiarsky 18. [a notation regarding a letter Alexandra wrote]

There are some annotations that explain and expand upon Alexandra's entries. These footnotes include short excerpts from Nicholas's diary, Gilliard's memoirs, and various letters. For me, it's been a valuable resource, but I think $50 is rather expensive.

Try Bookfinder.com. I searched by ISBN (0300072120) via the advanced search pane and found copies starting as low as $10 (including US shipping).

Grand Duchess Jennifer · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2009, 04:58:28 PM »

Thanks for that post Sarushka. It was really helpful.

I'm going to buy a used copy on Amazon for $13. I think that's a reasonable price. If it's helpful for you, it will most likely be helpful to me too.

Also: I'm ordering a Lifelong Passion too. It's only $6!

Marlene · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2009, 05:03:48 PM »

Celsius

Quote from: Grand Duchess Jennifer on February 18, 2009, 04:14:25 PM

For Canadians: http://www.amazon.ca/Last-Diary-Tsaritsa-Alexandra/dp/0300072120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234935428&sr=1-1
For Americans: http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Tsaritsa-Alexandra-Annals-Communism/dp/0300072120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234994602&sr=8-1#

I'm going to buy it. Everyone here seems to think it's OK. Oh, and on the first entry it tells the temperatures of Olga and Tatiana. Is that in F or C? I'm just curious.

I'll probably make the order around 7 or 8 PM, so you can still explain if it's good or not to me.

historyfan · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2009, 11:39:26 AM »

I read it when I was still just getting into the topic of the Romanovs, and I found it lacking. I understand a lot more now that I've read a lot more myself. To me, it's an "accompaniment" book - something that might fill in holes (especially regarding Alexandra's personality and activities) in a primary source.

Sunny · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2011, 07:26:53 AM »

I cry each time i look at that last, empty page "04/17 Julja, sreda"

helenazar · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2011, 12:48:56 PM »

Quote from: Robert_Hall on February 18, 2009, 01:18:19 PM

I have it as well. It is okay, I suppose. I bought it when it came out at half the price and had no idea it has increased in value so much in such a short time.

Wow, ditto!

helenazar · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2011, 12:50:06 PM »

Just checked, looks like you can still get a good used copy for less than $5 http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0300072120/ref=sr_1_1_up_1_h_olp?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313430560&sr=1-1&condition=used

Sunny · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2011, 02:24:21 PM »

That's the one i bought!

Ortipo · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2012, 05:52:44 PM »

I'm reading this book at the university at the moment. Even though her entries are terse it still makes for a haunting read.

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