Mr Radzinsky makes it clear that Rasputin, rather than directing Alexandra, primarily told her what she wanted to hear.

ECONOMIST: Ra-Ra-Rasputin

It was bought by Mstislav Rostropovich, a famous Russian cellist and conductor, who presented it to his great friend Mr Radzinsky.

ECONOMIST: Ra-Ra-Rasputin

Whether he was truly able to make prophecies remains open to doubt, but no reader can come away from Mr Radzinsky's biography without a powerful impression of the charm and charisma of the semi-literate bearded peasant from Siberia.

ECONOMIST: Ra-Ra-Rasputin