audiobook MARIA and ANASTASIA: The Youngest Romanov Grand Duchesses In Their Own Words: Letters; Diaries; Postcards. (The Russian Imperial Family: In Their Own Words) (Volume 2) by Helen Azar in History

Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful read!By Yasmin HarrisFor any Romanov devotee; this book is full of letters and diary entries both never before and very rarely seen; always an immense treat for those us who read or search for any Romanov material they can get their hands on. This book is extremely important in that it is the only one which focuses on the two youngest Romanov girls; the "little pair"; Maria and Anastasia; almost exactly 2 years apart and extremely close. Author Helen Azar gives these girls their distinct voices back; and for the first time it is them we hear above the din of other letters and diary entries; for the years 1914-1918; essentially the entirety of the first world war. Maria and Anastasia were both devoted to their papa and many of their letters are to him. Some have said Maria was the best letter writer in the family of since they were full of more detail and observations than her older sisters'. I found the letters of Anastasia in particular very charming. They are funny; irreverent; and full of mischief; just as she was. We get a real sense of her personality. Her language (even when invented) almost leaps off the page when she recounts her exploits to her father. One can imagine the tsar laughing out loud at these letters; doubtless a relief to the constant stress of his days; especially during this time. Through the diaries we get a better picture of the girls' days at their infirmary; something that has almost never really been closely looked at. In fact aside from these letters and entries; besides scattered anecdotes we have our fullest account of the girls deep involvement and care of their infirmary. We see the games they played with the soldiers; their great joy in spending time with their father at military quarters in Mogilev; day to day goings on and tasks; all are recounted here; from a different perspective. All of the girls; like their father; had a deep respect for military servicemen and took great pride and had enourmous affection not only for their own loyal cossacks; but to all the servicemen and officers who came by their and their sisters' infirmaries; and for all Russia's army. Maria and Anastasia even signed all their letters identifying themselves with their respective regiments. Here is an excerpt from a letter of Anastasia's to her father; page 86 "Right now I don’t have a lesson and therefore I can write. Have you heard anything about the 1st Hundred? They probably have enough to do now and are rather happy. Sometimes a hundred comes by here for practice and returns with zurna [type of flute]; so of course we eyeball them and yesterday they passed by as I watched. It's a shame there are too many bushes so they can't see us well; but the important thing of course is that we can see them. We will now accompany sisters to their infirmary and ride back for our lessons. Everyone gives you a big kiss and Aleksei too. Your loving; loyal and faithful little Kaspiyitz. May God keep you! This book is a must for any OTMA fan; and essential for any Romanov collector or fan of history. Highly recommended!!6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. 'MARIA AND ANASTASIA: The Youngest Romanov Grand Duchesses In Their Own Words':By CoralroseI purchased the Kindle version of 'MARIA AND ANASTASIA February 18th. I finished it on February 23rd. I thought Helen Azar did a very good job on it. It seemed both girls' letters were alike in how they wrote some things. In the '1918' section; I felt very sad and sorry for Maria. It seemed to me she was begging her family members to write her letters once she and her family were at the Governor's House and beyond. She also wrote a lot of letters from May; 1918 and beyond. Anastasia didn't seem like a joker in her letters. She wrote some nice notes to her friends and family too; when she was working in her infirmary. That whole family must have been VERY lonely; even if they did have some of their retinue along with them through the whole exile and right up to their end. I enjoyed the book immensely.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful book for Romanov buffs or anyone interested in the last Russian Imperial FamilyBy PuamohalaI really enjoyed this book! Reading the letters and diary entries of these two young girls "in their own words" really brought them alive to me. You can read history books about the Romanov family and learn about them; but when you read their actual words; you come to learn more about them and realize they were young girls who despite their elevated status; had the same hopes and dreams that all of us do. They are funny and loving and you come to know them and love them. I have always been fascinated by the Romanov family and this book gives more insight into the short lives of these two girls. If you are a "Romanov" buff or just learning about them; you will enjoy this and find that you feel you know them by the end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in this family; you will love it! Ms. Azar has done a wonderful job in putting together sections of their diaries and letters that really tell their story.