He was son, grandson and uncle to Tsars of Russia. Born among imperial splendour in a family that had none like it in the world, Grand Duke Serge Alexandrovich of Russia grew to become a polarizing figure in his country's history. By all accounts he was much respected and loved by those closest to him. Married to an adoring princess, Europe's most beautiful woman. Serge was the envy of many, among them his cousin Kaiser Wilhelm II. Rumour surrounded Serge Alexandrovich's life; doubts have clouded his historical role. As Governor General of Moscow he was the target of those opposted to tsardom and its political repression. He was a strict disciplinarian, while also extremely interested in charity. Assassinated still at a rather young age, Serge Alexandrovich's life ended at a time when he was poised to begin a new chapter. The enigma of this most controversial grand duke continues. Tamar Anolic's biography of the Russian Riddle is an excellent and well-thought attempt at using a humanistic approach to better understand the life of a complicated and much-maligned man who remains an enigma, a near mystery to us all. Paperback edition, 22x15 cm, 181 pages