Russia's Peter the Great, a cruel visionary imbued equally with a fascination for progress and absolute power.

Translation of: Pierre le Grand. Includes index.

Violence in the Kremlin -- The regency -- Peter or Sophia? -- The German settlement -- War against Turkey -- The great embassy -- The revolt of the Streltsy -- From Narva to Poltava -- St. Petersburg -- Journey to France -- The Czarevich Alexis -- Emperor and Empress -- The last reforms -- The giant felled -- Chronology -- Bibliography.