Catherine the Great was one of the most remarkable women in Russia’s history. But her first twenty years in Russia were fraught with danger, intrigue and misery. For, gifted with beauty, intelligence and ambition, Catherine was forced to suffer the unpredictable and neurotic whims of Empress Elizabeth and a loveless marriage to her half-witted nephew Peter. Against the fascinating background of eighteenth century Russia, the tremendous figure of Catherine is brought vividly to life - from her arrival in Russia to her successful bid to overthrow her husband after his accession to the throne.