PETER THE GREAT: EMPEROR OF ALL RUSSIA. by Grey, Ian - 1960

Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1960. 505 pp, 8 1/2" H. "The first modern Russian was Peter the Great. In this enthralling biography of that remarkable, revolutionary ruler, Ian Grey paints a superbly illuminating portrait - clean, clear, objective, without malice or sentimentality. Here we have, life-size, not only the great Tsar, but the man who fell in love with a peasant girl and made her his empress; the father who was betrayed by his son; the roisterer who was a creative genius; the physical giant who carried all his life the scars of a childhood terror; the soldier, sailor, laborer, daring innovator, architect of a nation. Tossing aside all the pomp and holiness that traditionally surrounded a tsar, Peter ripped apart the fabric of Russian life and, almost singlehandedly, made his country into a modern Western power." Tiny bump at top corner of boards, light wrinkling at bottom of spine, minor wrinkling at top of spine, previous owner's bookplate on free front endpaper, minor shelf soiling on bottom of text block. Dust jacket has light wear/wrinkling, very small tears and chips - mainly at top/bottom of spine and flap-folds, tiny tear with crease at top of front panel and small scuff at bottom, minor edge browning, light rubbing, protected in a mylar sleeve.. Second Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good/Good-.