RUSSIA: Memoirs of the Court and Reign of Catherine the Second, Empress of Russia, with a Brief Survey of the Romanoff Dynastyby Samuel M Schmucker. 1855. 338p Catherine II's ascent to power was characterized by her strategic political maneuvering and the backing of military forces, which ultimately led to her successful overthrow of Peter III. Despite his initial confidence, Peter underestimated the threat posed by Catherine and her supporters, resulting in his capture and subsequent death. This shift in power was not only a personal triumph for Catherine but also a