Peter Alexevitch is certainly one of the best known Tsars of Russia. His attempts to modernize his country by force are famous. Where did he get all his energy? Standing at 6' 8", and rising each day before four in the morning, he must have been awe inspiring. Well, probably some of his dinner guests weren't quite so keen on his bountiful supplies of enthusiasm. I quote from The Courts of Europe: Politics, Patronage and Royalty …
showed first 75 words of 532 total

showed last 75 words of 532 total
…Tsar and Tsarina. When the party sailed back to the island of Cronslot (part of St. Petersburg) Peter showed great skill and courage in face of a dangerous storm; but when they had landed his guests could find neither dry clothes nor beds and had to make a fire, strip naked, and wrap themselves in sled-covers while their wet clothes dried. So that's why he worked so hard -- he lost so much time partying.