Peter the Great
his life and world
by Robert K. Massie · first published 1980
4mentions
4recommended by
4HN commenters
2008–2021first – last mentioned
100% recommend
This biography of the Russian ruler scrutinizes Peter's transformation of medieval Russia into modern Russia.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
…notecards on what I've come across. I've created a few cards already. But in terms of making cards on books I read for pleasure, I agree in that it seems like overkill. One of my favorite biographies is "Peter the Great" by Robert Massie, and as much as I love reading it attempting to memorize names and details and jam pack my brain with facts would fry my brain.
on “Using Anki to remember what you read” ↗…hour and a half of listening per day. It's much less than reading for the same amount of time, but it's something. Books that I "read" this way in the last few months, and which I enjoyed tremendously: Peter the Great by Robert Massie, Pacific Crucible by Ian Toll, The Admirals by Walter Borneman.
on “My Favorite Books 2020” ↗I highly recommend Robert Massie's book Peter the Great, a truly fantastic read that goes in depth on the origin of the beard tax (modernization program) and associated kopek.
on “Russian archeologists have found an exceptionally rare 'beard kopek'” ↗Peter the Great: His Life and World, by Massie (this book won a Pulitzer but all his histories are very good)
on “Ask HN: What are some good biographies to read?” ↗