Scientific and authoritative; widely considered the most complete and objective study of his 22-year reign.

A modern, serious biography that examines him as a "prisoner of autocracy".

Controversial and critical; focuses on repressions, strikes, and the failures of the regime.

Praised on Litres for its balanced approach, avoiding both "French bread" nostalgia and Bolshevik propaganda. "Nicholas II" by Sergey Firsov

Reviewers on LiveLib highlight the impressive volume of sources used and call it a rare example of a biography that is truly hard to put down. "Nicholas II: Saint or Bloody?" by Alexander Kolpakidi