Boris Godunov

Here, from New York Times bestselling historian Ian Grey, is the true portrait of Russia's tragic tsar, Boris Godunov.


Depicted by most chroniclers as ruthless and ill-fated, he supposedly resorted to deceit, violence, and crime in his lust for power.


Grey methodically and credibly refutes these historical accounts, which were written expressly to discredit Godunov. He unveils a new picture of the tsar as a man of high intelligence and ability, concerned for the welfare of his people and the nation. He acted humanely and honestly, pursuing sound policies in his attempts to bring Russia to the level of Western societies. Though he deserved the respect and gratitude of all Russians, the struggle for power after his untimely death left Godunov, until now, a victim to the authors of history.