At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two great European empires met on the far side of the world. Conquistadores from Russia and Spain had been moving towards each other across the wildernesses of Siberia and the New World for centuries. Now one Russian aristocrat and adventurer greedily eyed the last great unclaimed imperial prize on earth - North America's Pacific Coast. Nikolai Rezanov - diplomat, courtier, millionaire and gambler - was an imperial dreamer who set out to transform the precarious fur-hunting stations of ...
Read More
At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two great European empires met on the far side of the world. Conquistadores from Russia and Spain had been moving towards each other across the wildernesses of Siberia and the New World for centuries. Now one Russian aristocrat and adventurer greedily eyed the last great unclaimed imperial prize on earth - North America's Pacific Coast. Nikolai Rezanov - diplomat, courtier, millionaire and gambler - was an imperial dreamer who set out to transform the precarious fur-hunting stations of the Alaskan coast into the hub of a Russian colony stretching from Siberia to California. His quest led him to San Francisco, where he became captivated by Conchita, the fifteen-year-old daughter of the Spanish Governor, who embodied his dreams of both love and empire. More remarkable still, Rezanov's plan very nearly succeeded - by 1818, the easternmost settlements of the Tsar's dominions were in Sonoma County, California, and on the islands of Hawaii. Glorious Misadventures traces Rezanov's dream of a Russian-American empire from the intrigues of the court of Catherine the Great to the wilds of the New World. Travelling in Rezanov's footsteps, Owen Matthews conjures a brilliantly original portrait of one of Russia's most eccentric empire-builders, both a visionary and a failure, a hero and a scoundrel.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Corners bumped. Marks to the edges of the pages Slight Scratches to Dust Jacket Next day dispatch by Royal Mail. International delivery available. 1000's of satisfied customers! Please contact us with any enquiries.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Minimal signs of wear. Corners and cover may show wear. May contain highlighting and or writing. May be missing dust jacket. May not include supplemental materials. May be a former library book.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!