Robert K. Massie documents the forensic and legal efforts to identify the remains of Tsar Nicholas II and his family following the 1991 excavation of their shallow grave in Yekaterinburg. He tracks the tense scientific rivalry between Russian experts and American forensic teams as they use mitochondrial DNA testing and skeletal analysis to verify the victims. The narrative also addresses the imposture of Anna Anderson and her lifelong claim to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, using newly available genetic evidence to resolve the century-old mystery of her true identity.
Historians and fans of forensic detective work read this book to understand how modern science settles long-standing historical disputes. It appeals to those interested in the transition of post-Soviet Russia and the bureaucratic struggles involved in reconciling national myths with biological facts. The reader finishes the book with a clear technical understanding of the Romanovs’ execution and the genetic verification processes that confirmed the end of the imperial line, replacing folk legends with empirical data.
Outward-looking and clear-cut; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Evidence Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1995
- Language
- EN
