To comprehend the general tragic essence of Russian reforms, it is enough to take a closer look at at least one particular Russian fate. “Evdokia Feodorovna, the first wife of Tsar Peter, nicknamed the Great, was undoubtedly the most unhappy empress of her time. Even in the deepest antiquity there are few examples of such an unfortunate fate,” this is what Franz Villebois, a Frenchman in the service of the Russian Tsar, will write about the heroine of my new book. Peter’s dislike for the old Russia determined his attitude towards his wife, whose whole tragedy is that she happened to find herself at the very turning point of the steep Russian times. Meanwhile, Queen Evdokia fulfilled her historical mission. Peter was married hastily and early. This was dictated by the needs of politics. He, married, no longer needed any guardianship. Together with Evdokia, Peter was given the opportunity to fight for power, and unknown historical prospects opened up for Russia. Evdokia was the pretext for the great breakdown that was beginning. Descendants did not appreciate this feat of Queen Evdokia Fedorovna...