The dramatic story of the first of the Czars, the strangely complex, tormented and towering figure known as Ivan the Terrible, began when he was proclaimed Ivan IV, Grand Prince of Moscow, at the age of three.  By the time of his death, he was absolute ruler of a realm that stretched from the Baltic to Siberia, and his name was known throughout the world.

Ivan was a study in contrasts. His childhood was spent as a powerless pawn in the hands of warring nobles, and in this atmosphere of brutal treachery and ruthless ambition, he grew up to be morbidly suspicious and murderously vengeful. At the same time, and deep sense of religion tortured him with guilt for his excesses. Ivan was impetuous in his personal life, and in a fit of mad rage killed the son on whom he had placed all his hopes for the future. Although cowardly on the battlefield, he guided his country to momentous military victories. He proved to be an infinitely patient and cunning diplomat, and was beloved by his people despite his slaughter of the populations of whole cities.

Filled with dreams of making Russia another Rome and himself a new Caesar, Ivan the Terrible more than any other man led Russia into the modern world.

From the book