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Tyrants History's 100 Most Evil Despots & Dictators
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Expected 1 Jan 99Book in very good condition.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2004
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274 people want to read
About the author
Nigel Cawthorne
316 books124 followersNigel Cawthorne is an Anglo-American writer of fiction and non-fiction, and an editor. He has written more than 80 books on a wide range of subjects and has contributed to The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail and The New York Times. He has appeared on television and BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Many of Nigel Cawthorne's books are compilations of popular history, without footnotes, references or bibliographies. His own web site refers to a description of his home as a "book-writing factory" and says, "More than half my books were commissioned by publishers and packagers for a flat fee or for a for a reduced royalty".
One of his most notable works was Taking Back My Name, an autobiography of Ike Turner, with whom he spent a number of weeks working with him on, taking up residence in Turner's house. The book caused much controversy, resulting in court cases for three years following its release.
Cawthorne currently lives in Bloomsbury, London with his girlfriend and son, Colin (born 1982).
Many of Nigel Cawthorne's books are compilations of popular history, without footnotes, references or bibliographies. His own web site refers to a description of his home as a "book-writing factory" and says, "More than half my books were commissioned by publishers and packagers for a flat fee or for a for a reduced royalty".
One of his most notable works was Taking Back My Name, an autobiography of Ike Turner, with whom he spent a number of weeks working with him on, taking up residence in Turner's house. The book caused much controversy, resulting in court cases for three years following its release.
Cawthorne currently lives in Bloomsbury, London with his girlfriend and son, Colin (born 1982).
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June 25, 2020
سرگذشت یکی از مخوفترین و روانیترین دیکتاتوران دنیا
الیزابت باتوری( یکی از وحشیترین زنان تاریخ)
زنی زیبا و افسانهایی که در سال ۱۵۶۰ در خانوادهایی ترانسیلوانی به دنیا آمد.
این زن جنایتکار و هوسباز از زمانی که ازدواج کرد و شوهرش به جنگ با عثمانیها رفت عشقبازیهاش رو شروع کرد و حتی با یک جوان فرار کرد ولی شوهرش پیداش کرد و عفوش کرد!
یکی از رفتارهای الیزابت این بود که خدمتکاران دختر جوان رو لخت میکرد و تا شکم درون برف فرو میبرد یا عسل به تنشون میزد تا حشرهها و زنبورها به طرف دختر لخت برن.
یا دخترهای خدمتکار و به زیرزمین میبرد، لخت میکرد و از جلوی بدنشون شلاقشون میزد و یه عادت بد دیگهایی داشت که سنجاق سرش رو به جاهای حساس بدنشون فرو میکرد مثلا زیر ناخن...
وقتی که شوهرش در سال ۱۶۰۰ مرد الیزابت چهل ساله شده بود و با هیچ آرایشی نمیتونست چین و چروکهای صورتش رو بپوشونه تا اینکه یک روز که یکی از خدمتکارانش در حال شونه کردن موهاش بود ناخواسته باعث شد تا موهای الیزابت کشیده بشه.
الیزابت چنان سیلی به صورت دخترک زد که از گوش دخترک خدمتکار خون اومد و روی دست الیزابت ریخته شد.
و الیزابت احساس کرد خون دخترک جوان پوستش رو لطیف کرده و راز جوانی رو کشف کرده از این رو به یکی از مامورینش به اسم دورکا دستور داد دختران رو برهنه کرده و شریانهای اصلی رو با کارد بریده و خون رو در خمرهایی بریزند. تا با خون اون دختران بیچاره استحمام کنه.
الیزابت به مدت ده سال این کار رو انجام داد و با دزدیدن دخترهای روستاها خون اونها رو میریخت و باهاش حمام میکرد و بعد اجساد اون دخترهای بیچاره رو قطعه قطعه میکرد و گاهی خون اونها رو مینوشید تا زیبایی درونی پیدا کنه!
ولی به مرور زمان فهمید که این کار فایدهای نداره و یا شاید خون دختران روستایی از کیفیت خوبی برخوردار نیست به همین خاطر دستور داد تا دختران اشراف و مقامات رو بدزدن که رفته رفته با گم شدن دخترهای مقامات والدینشون ابراز نگرانی کردند.
تا اینکه در سال ۱۶۱۰ روستاییان اجساد دخترها رو پشت حصار دژ پیدا کردن و وقتی که یکی از دخترها از دست جلادها قرار کرد و گزارش و گفت که چه بلایی سر دخترها میاد پادشاه مجارستان ماتیاس دوم به یکی از پسرعموهای الیزابت به نام کنت گیورکی تورزو فرماندار ایالت دستور تحقیق داد
در شب ۳۰ دسامبر ۱۶۱۰ تورزو با عدهایی از سربازان ناگهانی وارد کاخ الیزابت شدند و از چیزی که دیدند دچار وحشت شدند در اتاق خواب الیزابت دختری غرق در خون به روی زمین افتاده بود، دختر دیگری رو سوراخ سوراخ کرده بودند و هنوز نفس می کشید و در سیاه چاله کاخ جنازه چندین دختر رو دیدن که شکنجه شده بودند و در حیاط کاخ و از زیر خاک جنازه پنجاه تا دختر رو پیدا کردن و در کتابخانه الیزابت و در دفترچهای نام ۶۵۰ تا دختر رو دیدن که به دست الیزابت کشته و اسمشون ثبت شده بود.
چون کنتس باتوری (الیزابت) از اشراف بود به دادگاه کشیده نشد و حصر خانگی شد ولی چهار همدستش رو محاکمه کردن که صورت مجلس دادگاه هنوز در بایگانی کشور مجارستان هست!
یوهانس اوجواری به قتل سی و هفت دختر که به عنوان خدمتکار به کاخ آورده بود اعتراف کرد و گفت اونها رو به هم میبسته و بدنشون با قیچی قطعه قطعه میکرد
ایلوناژو پرستار پیر الیزابت به قتل چهل دختر اعتراف کرد و میگفت با دو تا جادوگر میاومدن و قبل از کشتن دخترها اونها رو شکنجه میکردن.
دو نفر از همدستان الیزابت رو سر بریدند و اجسادشون رو سوزوندن
یوهانس اوجواری رو به همراه همدست دیگه، انگشتانشون رو قطع کردند و روی تلی از هیزم زنده زنده سوزوندن...
الیزابت باتوری( یکی از وحشیترین زنان تاریخ)
زنی زیبا و افسانهایی که در سال ۱۵۶۰ در خانوادهایی ترانسیلوانی به دنیا آمد.
این زن جنایتکار و هوسباز از زمانی که ازدواج کرد و شوهرش به جنگ با عثمانیها رفت عشقبازیهاش رو شروع کرد و حتی با یک جوان فرار کرد ولی شوهرش پیداش کرد و عفوش کرد!
یکی از رفتارهای الیزابت این بود که خدمتکاران دختر جوان رو لخت میکرد و تا شکم درون برف فرو میبرد یا عسل به تنشون میزد تا حشرهها و زنبورها به طرف دختر لخت برن.
یا دخترهای خدمتکار و به زیرزمین میبرد، لخت میکرد و از جلوی بدنشون شلاقشون میزد و یه عادت بد دیگهایی داشت که سنجاق سرش رو به جاهای حساس بدنشون فرو میکرد مثلا زیر ناخن...
وقتی که شوهرش در سال ۱۶۰۰ مرد الیزابت چهل ساله شده بود و با هیچ آرایشی نمیتونست چین و چروکهای صورتش رو بپوشونه تا اینکه یک روز که یکی از خدمتکارانش در حال شونه کردن موهاش بود ناخواسته باعث شد تا موهای الیزابت کشیده بشه.
الیزابت چنان سیلی به صورت دخترک زد که از گوش دخترک خدمتکار خون اومد و روی دست الیزابت ریخته شد.
و الیزابت احساس کرد خون دخترک جوان پوستش رو لطیف کرده و راز جوانی رو کشف کرده از این رو به یکی از مامورینش به اسم دورکا دستور داد دختران رو برهنه کرده و شریانهای اصلی رو با کارد بریده و خون رو در خمرهایی بریزند. تا با خون اون دختران بیچاره استحمام کنه.
الیزابت به مدت ده سال این کار رو انجام داد و با دزدیدن دخترهای روستاها خون اونها رو میریخت و باهاش حمام میکرد و بعد اجساد اون دخترهای بیچاره رو قطعه قطعه میکرد و گاهی خون اونها رو مینوشید تا زیبایی درونی پیدا کنه!
ولی به مرور زمان فهمید که این کار فایدهای نداره و یا شاید خون دختران روستایی از کیفیت خوبی برخوردار نیست به همین خاطر دستور داد تا دختران اشراف و مقامات رو بدزدن که رفته رفته با گم شدن دخترهای مقامات والدینشون ابراز نگرانی کردند.
تا اینکه در سال ۱۶۱۰ روستاییان اجساد دخترها رو پشت حصار دژ پیدا کردن و وقتی که یکی از دخترها از دست جلادها قرار کرد و گزارش و گفت که چه بلایی سر دخترها میاد پادشاه مجارستان ماتیاس دوم به یکی از پسرعموهای الیزابت به نام کنت گیورکی تورزو فرماندار ایالت دستور تحقیق داد
در شب ۳۰ دسامبر ۱۶۱۰ تورزو با عدهایی از سربازان ناگهانی وارد کاخ الیزابت شدند و از چیزی که دیدند دچار وحشت شدند در اتاق خواب الیزابت دختری غرق در خون به روی زمین افتاده بود، دختر دیگری رو سوراخ سوراخ کرده بودند و هنوز نفس می کشید و در سیاه چاله کاخ جنازه چندین دختر رو دیدن که شکنجه شده بودند و در حیاط کاخ و از زیر خاک جنازه پنجاه تا دختر رو پیدا کردن و در کتابخانه الیزابت و در دفترچهای نام ۶۵۰ تا دختر رو دیدن که به دست الیزابت کشته و اسمشون ثبت شده بود.
چون کنتس باتوری (الیزابت) از اشراف بود به دادگاه کشیده نشد و حصر خانگی شد ولی چهار همدستش رو محاکمه کردن که صورت مجلس دادگاه هنوز در بایگانی کشور مجارستان هست!
یوهانس اوجواری به قتل سی و هفت دختر که به عنوان خدمتکار به کاخ آورده بود اعتراف کرد و گفت اونها رو به هم میبسته و بدنشون با قیچی قطعه قطعه میکرد
ایلوناژو پرستار پیر الیزابت به قتل چهل دختر اعتراف کرد و میگفت با دو تا جادوگر میاومدن و قبل از کشتن دخترها اونها رو شکنجه میکردن.
دو نفر از همدستان الیزابت رو سر بریدند و اجسادشون رو سوزوندن
یوهانس اوجواری رو به همراه همدست دیگه، انگشتانشون رو قطع کردند و روی تلی از هیزم زنده زنده سوزوندن...
October 23, 2022
Surprisingly it's actually okay. And it's an enjoyable read.
This is a fairly low effort and low barrier to entry light review of history as it applies to different tyrants, dictators, authoritarian rulers with a thirst for blood.
Its strengths are in the writing on a sentence by sentence basis. It's easy to read, it was not riddled with grammatical mistakes, and everything flowed in a way that made it not taxing to read.
Its weaknesses are that it is not a rigorously referenced book held to academic standards. Still, the author did endeavor to dispel some unsubstantiated myths around people like Catherine the Great. But I didn't know how rigorously it had been researched, so I didn't know how much I could trust.
This book doesn't really excel in anything. The photographs and reproductions were interesting, the selections of who to include seemed adequate and appropriate, the cover design wasn't great but also wasn't the worst, and I will say the interior design was very good.
I appreciated that the author included a wide range of people from different times and different geographical locations. It's not a terribly Eurocentric book as I anticipated it would be. There was great representation from ancient civilizations like the city states and what we now know as Greece, ancient Egypt, and Rome, but also from China, with a great light piece on Ch'in Shih-Huang-Ti, who united China 22 centuries ago. And there was also great representation from South America, Europe and Eastern Europe, in particular Russia and Turkey. But my favourite pieces were on India and the middle East and the older ones about the kingdoms in Africa.
I have to say, the printing and binding were exquisite. It was done in Singapore, and as my first introduction to Singaporean printing, I am really impressed.
This is a fairly low effort and low barrier to entry light review of history as it applies to different tyrants, dictators, authoritarian rulers with a thirst for blood.
Its strengths are in the writing on a sentence by sentence basis. It's easy to read, it was not riddled with grammatical mistakes, and everything flowed in a way that made it not taxing to read.
Its weaknesses are that it is not a rigorously referenced book held to academic standards. Still, the author did endeavor to dispel some unsubstantiated myths around people like Catherine the Great. But I didn't know how rigorously it had been researched, so I didn't know how much I could trust.
This book doesn't really excel in anything. The photographs and reproductions were interesting, the selections of who to include seemed adequate and appropriate, the cover design wasn't great but also wasn't the worst, and I will say the interior design was very good.
I appreciated that the author included a wide range of people from different times and different geographical locations. It's not a terribly Eurocentric book as I anticipated it would be. There was great representation from ancient civilizations like the city states and what we now know as Greece, ancient Egypt, and Rome, but also from China, with a great light piece on Ch'in Shih-Huang-Ti, who united China 22 centuries ago. And there was also great representation from South America, Europe and Eastern Europe, in particular Russia and Turkey. But my favourite pieces were on India and the middle East and the older ones about the kingdoms in Africa.
I have to say, the printing and binding were exquisite. It was done in Singapore, and as my first introduction to Singaporean printing, I am really impressed.
September 21, 2025
This book was both overly vague and dragged a lot in so much of this book. It felt unbalanced with each chapter leaning around 2 mins to around 18 minutes (for the audiobook) and even as an introduction to dictators and despots it didnt make a lot of cases for several of the names here to on this list when there are equally mad, bad and cruel souls who could of fit better. Add to it the very European-centric focus and some very very questionable pronunciation from the narrator and this was a rough old time. read at your own peril.
October 17, 2018
Le doy 2 ⭐️ y solo por que al principio si me gusto ... reconozco que conocí de la vida algunos personajes interesantes . Peeeero lo que ya eran conocidos por mi , su historia fue sumamente básica y en algunos casos hasta faltaron datos que aunque no básicos si considerar interesantes y yo pienso que estas adquiriendo un libro llamado tiranos , buscas algo mas de información que podrías adquirir en wikipedia o en un libro de historia (escolar) .
Repito al principio estaba bien, interesante de algunos y le echaron ganas con unos 3o 4 . Pero llegando a mundo moderno y pasando hitler ya solo fueron 2 o 3 los que pasaban de 1 hoja con información BÁSICA , y eso me decepcionó
Creo que hay muchas formas de conseguir información y estaría padre poder recibir de un libro asi, algún dato curioso o alguna cosilla extra de estas personas.... a por que casi se me olvida si era gente muy mala y algunos si eran TIRANOS , asesinos nos y psicopatas , pero no todos, algunos pocos eras malvados y ególatras y gente muy conflictiva pero tirano se me hace una palabra muy grande y mas comparados con otros aquí incluidos que claramente si lo son .
Repito al principio estaba bien, interesante de algunos y le echaron ganas con unos 3o 4 . Pero llegando a mundo moderno y pasando hitler ya solo fueron 2 o 3 los que pasaban de 1 hoja con información BÁSICA , y eso me decepcionó
Creo que hay muchas formas de conseguir información y estaría padre poder recibir de un libro asi, algún dato curioso o alguna cosilla extra de estas personas.... a por que casi se me olvida si era gente muy mala y algunos si eran TIRANOS , asesinos nos y psicopatas , pero no todos, algunos pocos eras malvados y ególatras y gente muy conflictiva pero tirano se me hace una palabra muy grande y mas comparados con otros aquí incluidos que claramente si lo son .
April 9, 2018
This had the potential to be a fantastic book: a chance to go into detail about some truly horrific people. However I think Cawthorne made a mistake in making it about 100 people. Some of the people listed, whilst they did some bad things, I don't know that they should necessarily be counted as a despot. By cramming in 100 people I think Cawthorne didn't give enough attention to each person. Many just got a couple of paragraphs and I wanted to know a lot more about them. He would have been better off going for 50 but going to a lot more depth.
As others have pointed out I was also frustrated by the spelling mistakes and the poor choice of photos.
Good for a brief introduction but so much detail was missed out.
As others have pointed out I was also frustrated by the spelling mistakes and the poor choice of photos.
Good for a brief introduction but so much detail was missed out.
August 16, 2018
I bought the book just by the seeing the cover. Thinking it was about dictators in modern history. Reading the book, the author starts off way BCE, a time little documented and a lot of speculation. The author does a poor attempt at research, probably got most of his information by watching Hollywood versions of history.
Of The less known dictators, the author gives little information.
On several occasions he gives inaccurate information.
Of The less known dictators, the author gives little information.
On several occasions he gives inaccurate information.
February 21, 2019
Quando vi esse livro fiquei alucinada com o tema, tenho verdadeira admiração por História. Se forem biografias, histórias reais, melhor ainda! Então não pensei duas vezes, comprei na Amazon e lá fui eu me deliciar com o que eu esperava ser uma análise sobre tirania ao longo da humanidade.
Já na Apresentação começou a decepção. De tirania não há quase nada no livro, o autor definiu como tiranos os ditadores e assassinos, sem analisar o que é tirania.
“...“tiranos”, ou seja, aquele que tomou para si a soberania do Estado e exerceu seu poder de forma violenta e discricionária.”
Essa definição, para quem não é tão aficionado em História quanto eu, pode parecer correta, mas um ditador, para ser um tirano, precisa ser um pouco mais cruel. Estou inclinada a concordar com Platão e Aristóteles quando afirmam que "a marca da tirania é a ilegalidade, a violação das leis e regras pré-estipuladas pela quebra da legitimidade do poder". Só não concordo quando ele afirma que "…vida relativamente curta das tiranias à fraqueza inerente dos sistemas que usam a força sem o apoio do direito."
Tiranos tendem a se perpetuar no poder, principalmente nos dias atuais.
Voltando ao livro.
Cawthorne, em seu 100 Tiranos realizou uma pesquisa pífia, sem diferenciar tempo e espaço dos citados. Mesmo que haja uma divisão temporal, não há uma análise ou estudo sobre o tempo citado. Sim, um tirano é um tirano hoje ou há 5000 anos, mas o que diferencia Jean Bedel Bokassa, Nicolae Ceausescu e Átila, o Huno?
O que leva a considerar Tamerlão (“Assim como só existe um Deus no céu, deve haver apenas um único governante na terra”) como um tirano, mas não Jim Jones, o reverendo assassino?
As pesquisas sobre os períodos de governo são inexistentes ou pueris. Parecem, na verdade, um exercício de copiar e colar da Wikipédia, não um estudo histórico sobre os homens – e algumas mulheres – retirados de seu papel primário de ditadores e usurpadores.
Como fonte de pesquisa, estudo ou aumento de conhecimento sobre a evolução política mundial, o livro não cumpre seu papel; como discussão sobre sistemas políticos então, é melhor passar longe.
Conselho? Não leiam. Eu perdi tempo.
Nota? Uma estrela.
Já na Apresentação começou a decepção. De tirania não há quase nada no livro, o autor definiu como tiranos os ditadores e assassinos, sem analisar o que é tirania.
“...“tiranos”, ou seja, aquele que tomou para si a soberania do Estado e exerceu seu poder de forma violenta e discricionária.”
Essa definição, para quem não é tão aficionado em História quanto eu, pode parecer correta, mas um ditador, para ser um tirano, precisa ser um pouco mais cruel. Estou inclinada a concordar com Platão e Aristóteles quando afirmam que "a marca da tirania é a ilegalidade, a violação das leis e regras pré-estipuladas pela quebra da legitimidade do poder". Só não concordo quando ele afirma que "…vida relativamente curta das tiranias à fraqueza inerente dos sistemas que usam a força sem o apoio do direito."
Tiranos tendem a se perpetuar no poder, principalmente nos dias atuais.
Voltando ao livro.
Cawthorne, em seu 100 Tiranos realizou uma pesquisa pífia, sem diferenciar tempo e espaço dos citados. Mesmo que haja uma divisão temporal, não há uma análise ou estudo sobre o tempo citado. Sim, um tirano é um tirano hoje ou há 5000 anos, mas o que diferencia Jean Bedel Bokassa, Nicolae Ceausescu e Átila, o Huno?
O que leva a considerar Tamerlão (“Assim como só existe um Deus no céu, deve haver apenas um único governante na terra”) como um tirano, mas não Jim Jones, o reverendo assassino?
As pesquisas sobre os períodos de governo são inexistentes ou pueris. Parecem, na verdade, um exercício de copiar e colar da Wikipédia, não um estudo histórico sobre os homens – e algumas mulheres – retirados de seu papel primário de ditadores e usurpadores.
Como fonte de pesquisa, estudo ou aumento de conhecimento sobre a evolução política mundial, o livro não cumpre seu papel; como discussão sobre sistemas políticos então, é melhor passar longe.
Conselho? Não leiam. Eu perdi tempo.
Nota? Uma estrela.
December 9, 2022
This book was disappointing in every sense of the word.
There was no criteria on how “tyrants” were being defined. Some appeared to be nothing more than rulers who fought wars. If it was death that defined tyrants then not all met that bill.
There were a number of misspellings, incorrect dates, and the boxes (“life and crimes”) appear not to be edited since many times events were repeated in the next person when they did not apply.
Finally some of the information was simply inaccurate. Louis VXI was not the grandson of Louis VIX. That was the most glaring example but I didn’t take the time to fact check each one. Also there were no sources listed for the information so the reliability of the research could not be proven. In a book such as this, sources are essential.
There was no criteria on how “tyrants” were being defined. Some appeared to be nothing more than rulers who fought wars. If it was death that defined tyrants then not all met that bill.
There were a number of misspellings, incorrect dates, and the boxes (“life and crimes”) appear not to be edited since many times events were repeated in the next person when they did not apply.
Finally some of the information was simply inaccurate. Louis VXI was not the grandson of Louis VIX. That was the most glaring example but I didn’t take the time to fact check each one. Also there were no sources listed for the information so the reliability of the research could not be proven. In a book such as this, sources are essential.
September 5, 2018
Acho que o conceito geral do livro é muito bom, mas que o autor tentou juntar muita gente em um saco só, sem se aprofundar muito sobre cada um. É triste ver a história de alguns personagens muito interessantes resumida a somente um parágrafo. Nem todas as personalidades citadas poderiam ser consideradas grandes tiranos, talvez meramente prepotentes ou monarcas que fizeram coisas ruins. Ao fim, acho que o lado positivo dessa leitura foi ficar conhecendo algumas figuras notórias e pesquisar a história daqueles que, ao meu ver, se sobressaíam.
May 24, 2021
While this was an interesting overview, I seriously question why some of these people are on this list. Like, they're still terrible people, but there are way worse ones to put on the list of the top 100 tyrants. I did enjoy the modern section the most, since it was constantly pointed out how it was the west (and America in particular) who put and kept a lot of these tyrants in power around the world.
November 10, 2017
A book with an interesting concept, but poor execution. I appreciate the author's ability to flush out ancient history's tyrants (the write up on Alexander the Great and Ghangis Khan are truly horrific) however, this is overshadowed by grammar mistakes, grainy photographs blown out of proportion, information that does not add value to the chapter, and factual inaccuracies.
August 16, 2024
This would probably have been better also 50 instead of 100 tyrants. Many of them are 1-2 pages and really glosses over their reign of terror. Some went into a decent amount of depth, 8-10 pages, and that was interesting. You got a better feel for why they were on the list. Overall interesting book and a good read.
July 31, 2018
Fascinating read about the evil of man.
Some of these Roman emperors were simply crazy and would do anything to get to the top. But even in modern times the evil that leaders like Pol Pot did was truly horrifying.
Well worth a read but not for the squeamish.
Some of these Roman emperors were simply crazy and would do anything to get to the top. But even in modern times the evil that leaders like Pol Pot did was truly horrifying.
Well worth a read but not for the squeamish.
May 15, 2020
Bəzi yerlərində çox sıxıldığımı qəbul etməliyəm, tarixi hadisələrdən ziyadə şəxslərin həyatından və ya çox da hamıya məlum olmayan faktlardan geniş məlumat versəydi daha yüksək qiymətləndirə bilərdim. Yenə də maraqlı məlumatlar vardı içərisində.
January 1, 2023
An excellent book. It is hard to believe a human being will treat another human being with so much hate and cruelty just to gain power and money. It is an eye opener because it can happen right here in the United States if we are not wise.
December 29, 2017
Azerbaijani version of the book
January 27, 2018
Extremely concise with no info at all. Would not recommend.
October 22, 2019
The book doesn't live up to the title of the book.
June 22, 2020
Very informative, but it took some liberties in reach 100 tyrants. Many deserve to be in this book, but perhaps not all.
October 28, 2021
Not tyranical to read
May 25, 2022
very good history
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2022
Most of the entries are far too short. I learned next to nothing
January 21, 2023
Quick, basic bio of interesting characters.
October 3, 2024
I listened to this book, which was probably the best way for me with this book. If i had to physically read it I probably would have quit midway.
October 10, 2024
A great read
A very good read. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Short, precise, important notes on a large number of despots and dictators throughout history.
A very good read. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Short, precise, important notes on a large number of despots and dictators throughout history.
August 19, 2015
Overall, it is a pretty interesting book. It has a lot of information and facts. Historical data and explanation on the tyrants who wanted to rule the world or in some cases just their own part of it. One thing that sticks out the most is the common actions, trends, that all of those men, and some women, posses. Destroying opposition, high taxation, complete control of power without any rules or regulations. If there are any laws, constitution, that previously compiled the laws of the land, most of those tyrants first aimed to abolish that and place themselves as judge and jury. Interesting information and very educational in deed.
Couple of things that I didn't like or just maybe wish were different in this book:
1. Even though some are explained in great detail, in some cases it doesn't explain why they are considered tyrants, what did they do, why they did what they did and many other aspects. There were others who were not described in more detail that I know exists and would probably give a reader a better view into the true tyranny behind those regimes and rulers.
2. There was one of the men described, that I am not clear what made him a "tyrant". If we would add people based on what is explained in this book about Antonio De Oliveira Salazar of Portugal, we could or maybe should add pretty much the entire Obama administration to the list as well.
Overall, as I have mentioned, it is a great book, but I wish it had a bit more information on some of the tyrants and explanation. Otherwise I recommend it to anyone who enjoys history and it is a nice recap of most of the historical monsters.
Couple of things that I didn't like or just maybe wish were different in this book:
1. Even though some are explained in great detail, in some cases it doesn't explain why they are considered tyrants, what did they do, why they did what they did and many other aspects. There were others who were not described in more detail that I know exists and would probably give a reader a better view into the true tyranny behind those regimes and rulers.
2. There was one of the men described, that I am not clear what made him a "tyrant". If we would add people based on what is explained in this book about Antonio De Oliveira Salazar of Portugal, we could or maybe should add pretty much the entire Obama administration to the list as well.
Overall, as I have mentioned, it is a great book, but I wish it had a bit more information on some of the tyrants and explanation. Otherwise I recommend it to anyone who enjoys history and it is a nice recap of most of the historical monsters.
January 24, 2015
For aspiring villains and heroes alike, Nigel Cawthorne’s Tyrants History’s 100 Most Evil Despots & Dictators provides hours, even years, of inspiration and terror. An exposition of the darkest ambitions lurking in the psyches of men, and a few notable women as well, it explores the worst mankind has to offer, and what atrocities must be overcome if we wish to prove ourselves an evolved species. The greatest murder mystery of all, our history reveals the common threads of a madness that seems predictable, if not entirely unstoppable when power becomes absolute. Though many dictatorial leaders appear morbidly creative in their marauding and impaling and torturing, their modus operandi, much like a rampaging three year old child, is, with rare exception, destruction rather than the creation of anything of lasting nobility or greatness. While we can give credit where it is due, we can also learn from our historical mistakes and never, through laziness or ignorance or apathy, allow evil to grow unchecked. Behind every ruler is a million people who possess enough kindness and intelligence and collective power to debunk any pretty pageant of lies, should it arise in their midst. Our morbid fascination with these overgrown toddlers should therefore spur us to ever greater eras of leadership and growth for posterity.
August 7, 2023
This was a fantastic idea for a book, however, it didn’t live up to my expectations.
Although it’s not a scholarly book, I believe it should have footnotes/sources listed so readers can see where Cawthorne got his information from.
There were also some typos, albeit not many. For example, for Pedro the Cruel Cawthorne writes ‘1969’ not ‘1369’.
Ultimately, I am glad I read this book and think it’s good for people who want a very *very* brief insight into these leaders, but I believe it could have been executed stronger with better pictures, sources, and more details regarding each individual.
Although it’s not a scholarly book, I believe it should have footnotes/sources listed so readers can see where Cawthorne got his information from.
There were also some typos, albeit not many. For example, for Pedro the Cruel Cawthorne writes ‘1969’ not ‘1369’.
Ultimately, I am glad I read this book and think it’s good for people who want a very *very* brief insight into these leaders, but I believe it could have been executed stronger with better pictures, sources, and more details regarding each individual.
September 22, 2013
این کتاب را توی ویترین یک کتاب فروشی در خیابان کاج جنوبی دیدم و همونجا خریدم. جلد روی کتاب و عنوان کتاب خیلی جالب بود برام اما خود کتاب بر خلاف اون چیزی که انتظار داشتم قوی نبود. به نظرم ترجمه کتاب ضعیف بود و جالب اینکه تو کتاب دهها اشکال تایپی هم بود.
September 30, 2014
A brief introduction to the world's most despotic and infamous dictators who made their name mainly by slaughtering and imprisoning many of their countrymen. A book that's enough to add to your despair over where the world's heading.
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