I finally read this book through interlibrary loan, and actually feel it is one of the better books on the Romanovs, especially the lesser known members. I had never read it before because I wasn't sure if I could get it via interlibrary loan and and I also wasn't sure how interesting it might be.It does cover a lot of politics, but it isn't written in a boring way in the least.It also covers a lot of the private life of the Grand Duke and his family and gives a good portrait of the Mikhailovitchi branch of the Romanovs.I got the impression from the book the scholar who wrote was very interested in the life of the Grand Duke, an impression you do not always recieve from scholarly books, which can be very academic at times.Actually, although published more as a scholarly work than a work of popular history, this book is very readable, compelling, and interesting.I highly recomend it! It's too bad it doesn't get more attenion!