Duty

Duty is the dominant theme in Robert K. Massie's PETER THE GREAT: HIS LIFE AND WORLD. Coming to the throne as a ten-year-old co-tsar with his invalid half-brother Ivan V, Peter appears to take his duties lightly, leaving ceremonial matters to Ivan, who enjoys them, and the actual ruling to Ivan's older sister, the Regent Sophia. Peter spends his time at war games and learning about European lifestyles in the German Suburbs of Moscow. He is not only learning to drink, smoke, and carouse but is picking up practical information that he will use to transform his backward domains. He sends young Russians to the West to learn vital trades and accompanies incognito a Great Embassy to Holland and England, where he obtains a shipbuilder's certificate. His companions, with less enthusiasm, study all aspects of seamanship, Peter's passion.

Twenty years of war with Sweden require great sacrifices from...