Catherine the Great.

Lately I've been loving non-fiction. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman is an amazing narrative biography that really picks up on what a remarkable woman she was. Catherine began as a German princess of a minor noble family, but became one of the most extraordinary rulers in history. I haven't finished it yet, but I'm definitely loving every second of it.

Robert Massie has also written Peter the Great, Nicholas & Alexandra, and The Romanovs. I bought Nicholas & Alexandra a long time ago from my favorite used bookstore, but never got around to reading it. I think I'll pick it up after I've finished Catherine the Great.

Are there any other biographies I should read?