Catherine is the first book in a trilogy, The Volga Flows Forever by Sigrid Weidenweber. This trilogy is touring with MediaGuests. I appreciate the opportunity to review this book, and as always, my opinions are my own words, feelings, etc.

About Catherine
Catherine: Inside the Heart and Mind of a Great Monarch…

“You look astonishingly pretty,” admits Johanna when Sophia steps out of her bedroom dressed in Ulrika’s magnificent gown. Sophia is stunned, halting in mid-step. This is rare praise from her cold mother, so she must, indeed, look very good. At Frederick’s side during the elaborate court dinner, Sophia shines and sparkles with youth and wit. The monarch is very pleased with his choice. Indeed, he is so enamored with the girl that he opens his purse to outfit mother and daughter, both woefully deficient in material matters appropriate for court life.

So begins the transformation of Princess Sophia of Anhalt-Zerbst into Catherine the Great of Russia. The personal and professional triumphs and tribulations of this remarkable woman are retold by Sigrid Weidenweber, whose research into the life of Catherine reveals a new perspective on Catherine, from the inside out. Sigrid portrays with heartfeld understanding what it was like to have been such a major European political and military, social and cultural figure during the eighteenth century.

About Sigrid Weidenweber
Born in Germany in 1941, Sigrid Weidenwber remembers the horrific aftermath of fascism. At the end of the war, she found herself living under communism. After the Berlin Wall was built, she managed to escape the repressive environment with the help of friends and a French passport. To this day she does not speak French.

She holds degrees in medical technology, psychology and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Concordia University of Portland, Oregon for her trilogy “The Volga Flows Forever.” In her trilogy she brings to life Catherine the Great in her multiple roles as monarch, woman, lover, mother, grandmother and head of the general staff of the army, in Volume one. The following two historical volumes deal with the Volga Germans brought to Russia by Catherine’s edict.

Three years ago she moved to Santa Rosa Valley, California from Portland Oregon. She has passionately embraced California together with her family that also resides here.

Visit the Author’s Website

My Review
I knew that this book and trilogy was going to be steeped in history when I took a spot on the tour. I think many of us have looked upon the great Russian / Soviet Empire as a thing of mystery, wonder, even secrecy and deceit. Those who grew up with the “Cold War” understand what I mean. As someone who hated History classes in school, it has surprised me that as I grew into my adult tastes in life, I have become enthralled with historical times, places, and peoples. I am a genealogy enthusiast, but my focus has been Danish records research. However, I found that my familiarity with the research process and the information gleaned from a simple church entry has left me in awe of the work Ms. Weidenweber put into the preparation of this trilogy.

After saying all of that, I have to state that I’ve enjoyed our first installment, Catherine. It may take some time to get used to the third person – present tense form of the book, but it didn’t take me long to submerge myself in the happenings and feelings of Catherine and the Russian court.

This book covers Catherine’s life from the age of 14 when she first comes to Russia to be married, through her reign to the end of her life. Ms. Weidenweber took great care to give us the facts of Catherine’s actions AND to give us her reasoning and rationalization for those actions when it is available. I found myself feeling deeply for a woman who was ridiculed, mocked, and hated by many while she was loved and even worshiped by many others.

It was a very touching story that will stay with me for a long time. I had heard of Catherine the Great, but hadn’t ever really taken the time to get to know more about her until now. Because of the length of time the book covers, it is a long one at 579 pages. But it is well worth the read!

If you’ve ever held a romantic notion of history, felt curiosity about the great “Russian Bear,” or wondered what it takes to be a true ruler of a country founded on intrigue and suspicion, you need to take the time to read this book. I feel Sigrid Weidenweber did a wonderful job of showing every side of this historical woman’s life without deviating from the facts left to us.

Thank you, for a wonderful historical read, Ms. Weidenweber. I look forward to reviewing book two, The Volga Germans, later this week.