The Romance of the Romanoffs

"The Romance of the Romanoffs" by Joseph McCabe is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the history of the Romanov dynasty, presenting a critical narrative of the autocratic rule in Russia and its sociopolitical ramifications. It aims to illuminate the tragic and romantic elements of Russian history, particularly focusing on how the autocracy emerged and its impact on the Russian populace. The opening of the book sets the stage for a detailed exploration of Russia's history, emphasizing its early democracy among the Slavs and the subsequent descent into autocracy. McCabe reflects on the Russian character, suggesting that despite prevailing theories of the Slavs' indifference to democratic ideals, there has been a persistent struggle for freedom against oppressive rulers. He introduces the concept of the Romance of the Romanoffs as a tale of tragedy, brutality, and corruption, suggesting that the narrative will explore both the shortcomings of autocracy and the resilient spirit of the Russian people. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Joseph Martin McCabe was an English writer and speaker on freethought, after having been a Roman Catholic priest earlier in his life. He was "one of the great mouthpieces of freethought in England". Becoming a critic of the Catholic Church, McCabe joined groups such as the Rationalist Association and the National Secular Society. He criticised Christianity from a rationalist perspective, but also was involved in the South Place Ethical Society which grew out of dissenting Protestantism and was a precursor of modern secular humanism.