“Fascinating . . . A book in which an important chapter of Russian history is richly revealed and one of its most important and elusive sons is humanized” (The Washington Times).
One of Russia’s greatest emperors, beloved of his subjects for his many liberalizing works domestically and for his victory over the invincible Napoleon Bonaparte, Alexander I presumably died in 1825, at the age of forty-eight. Ever since then, rumors have swirled that the young and vigorous Tsar, who carried within him a terrible secret, really faked his death to expiate an unpardonable sin, and spent the next forty years as a starets, one of those holy men who in the nineteenth century wandered through Russia doing good works. The starets, brilliant and uncommonly erudite, was one Feodor Kuzmich. The author, who has spent over twenty years researching the legend, makes a compelling case that the great Alexander I and the humble starets were one and the same.
“Intriguing and well-researched.” —Library Journal
“Definitely of interest to fans of Russian Imperial history and of royal mysteries.” —Historical Novel Society
