The Devil’s Chain (1876)

Alexander Menshikov, Prince of the Holy Roman Empire: My Story is a historical fiction book, written by C. C. Williamson. In this book, Alexander Menshikov tells of his lifelong devotion to the service of Peter the Great of Russia. Menshikovas father was a soldier in a Russian army unit that guarded Peter the Great at the Palace at Preobrazhenskoe. He died in an accident and left Alexander a young orphan. Alexander Menshikov gained the trust, faith, and friendship of Peter. He helped Peter lead his country to a military triumph over Sweden and to a position of power in the world of the 18th century. Because of a long friendship and alliance with Peteras wife, Catherine I of Russia, Menshikov ruled Russia for a few years after Peter died. Though these were peaceful and good years for Russia, Menshikov was deposed and exiled to Siberia, where he might have written this story in his remaining months. It was a great and interesting time.