The Russian Empire once extended deep into America: in 1818 Russia`s furthest outposts were in California & Hawaii. The dreamer behind this great Imperial vision was Nikolai Rezanov
- diplomat, adventurer, courtier, millionaire & gambler. His quest to plant Russian colonies from Siberia to California led him to San Francisco, where he was captivated by Conchita, the fifteen-year-old daughter of the Spanish Governor, who embodied his dreams of both love & empire. From the glittering court of Catherine the Great to the wilds of the New World, Matthews conjures a brilliantly original portrait of one of Russia`s most eccentric Empire-builders.