“If to reign means to know the weakness of the human soul and to use it, then in this regard Catherine deserves the surprise of posterity.

Her magnificence was blinding, her friendliness was attractive, her generosity was binding. The very voluptuousness of this cunning woman asserted her dominion. Producing a weak murmur among the people, accustomed to respecting the vices of their rulers, it aroused vile competition in the highest states, for no intelligence, no merit, no talent was needed to achieve second place in the state. "A. S. Pushkin The book includes works dedicated to Catherine II and the history of her reign:

N. A. Ravich TWO CAPITAL

P. G. Zhdanov LAST FAVORITE

E. A. Sapias SENATE SECRETARY