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A Short History of the World in 50 Tyrants
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26Explore the tyrants who have shaped the course of history. All power corrupts, but absolute power can turn people into absolute monsters. The true stories behind the men and women who led tyrannies around the world. This is history ... but not as you know it.
Leading readers through all of world history, Ben Gazur looks at how tyrants and their regimes have shaped the course of humanity from the earliest times right up until the modern day. From the first Ancient Greek tyrants to those who still dominate nations today, dictators have always been pulling the strings.
In 50 bite-sized chapters spanning thousands of years, A Short History of the World in 50 Tyrants examines their rise to power, how they stayed there and how they were overthrown, investigating their lives and crimes. Readers will learn how Catherine the Great seized the throne from her own husband, how Adolf Hitler created a cult of personality to assume complete control, and how Julius Caesar met his end under a rain of stabs on the senate floor.
Follow the whims, eccentricities and evil acts of dictators across the millennia, such as the deadly search for immortality by the first Chinese Emperor, the wily machinations of the Emperor Augustus and the crushing brutality of Pol Pot’s rule.
Also
A Short History of the World in 50 Places (9781789291971)
A Short History of the World in 50 Animals (9781789292954)
A Short History of the World in 50 Books (9781789294088)
A Short History of the World in 50 Lies (9781789294606)
A Short History of the World in 50 Failures (9781789296938)
Leading readers through all of world history, Ben Gazur looks at how tyrants and their regimes have shaped the course of humanity from the earliest times right up until the modern day. From the first Ancient Greek tyrants to those who still dominate nations today, dictators have always been pulling the strings.
In 50 bite-sized chapters spanning thousands of years, A Short History of the World in 50 Tyrants examines their rise to power, how they stayed there and how they were overthrown, investigating their lives and crimes. Readers will learn how Catherine the Great seized the throne from her own husband, how Adolf Hitler created a cult of personality to assume complete control, and how Julius Caesar met his end under a rain of stabs on the senate floor.
Follow the whims, eccentricities and evil acts of dictators across the millennia, such as the deadly search for immortality by the first Chinese Emperor, the wily machinations of the Emperor Augustus and the crushing brutality of Pol Pot’s rule.
Also
A Short History of the World in 50 Places (9781789291971)
A Short History of the World in 50 Animals (9781789292954)
A Short History of the World in 50 Books (9781789294088)
A Short History of the World in 50 Lies (9781789294606)
A Short History of the World in 50 Failures (9781789296938)
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 14, 2026
About the author
Ben Gazur
10 books4 followersBen Gazur holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Edinburgh. Giving up the glitz and glamour of the lab he became a freelance writer who has written widely on history and science for the likes of the BBC, All About History, and the Guardian newspaper. His first book was a biography of the philosopher Epicurus.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 28, 2026
[26 Feb 2026] A short, but interesting and informative book. It bounces along at pace with each mini-biography being 3 or 4 pages. It gives you the edited highlights of the awfulness of each tyrant from various historical periods. There is no in-depth analysis or context - I'm guessing some might argue that what some emperors/rulers did was no different to what all people did at the time and that their actions would not have been seen as extraordinary or unacceptable, a measure of tyrants in later years.
It contains horrific descriptions of inhumane treatment and violence, but in a slightly sanitised way. Easy to pick up and put down. Those people who created political underpinning for tyrants - like Marx do get let off.
It contains horrific descriptions of inhumane treatment and violence, but in a slightly sanitised way. Easy to pick up and put down. Those people who created political underpinning for tyrants - like Marx do get let off.
April 3, 2026
Das ist kein gutes Buch:
- Was genau ein Tyrann ist oder wie sich ein Tyrann von einem Diktator unterscheidet; was einen autoritären Staatschef zum Tyrannen macht oder woran man einen Tyrannen erkennt, wird nicht erklärt. Das ist aus meiner Sicht das grundlegende Problem des Buches.
- Die Auswahl der Tyrannen erscheint willkürlich, vor allem da nicht klar ist, wonach bei den verschiedenen Personen in der Geschichte zu suchen ist. Das Stalin und Hitler dabei sind, ergibt sich schnell. Aber Katharina die Große, bei der am Ende vom Kapitel hinterfragt wird, ob sie überhaupt eine Tyrannin war, wird ebenfalls beschrieben. Da es keine Definition gibt, ist die Vergleichbarkeit von Sulla und Robespierre überhaupt nicht gegeben und liest man die Kapitel, ergibt es überhaupt keinen Sinn, dass sie beide im gleichen Buch auftauchen.
- Die Personen werden nicht in ihre Zeit eingeordnet. Macht ein Feldzug einen König zu einem Tyrannen, weil dabei Menschen sterben? Gab es in der Zeit der Person bereits Gedanken, dass man feindliche Soldaten oder Bürger nicht umbringen oder versklaven sollte? Kann man das den Personen der Zeit vorwerfen? Aus meiner Sicht kann man das, aber dann muss erklärt werden, warum bestimmte Personen in diesem Buch dargestellt werden und die vielen anderen, die das auch gemacht haben, nicht.
- Es ist ein ganz starker Blick auf Europa in dem Buch. Vor allem in der Antike reihen sich Griechen und Römer aneinander, die im Vergleich zu anderen nur sehr begrenzt gewirkt haben. Sie werden nur unterbrochen durch wenige aus China. Sonst hatte die Antike wohl keine Tyrannen zu bieten?
- Es gibt keinen roten Faden zwischen den Tyrannen, der eine „Geschichte“ erzählt. Es sind ganz kurze Überblicksbiografien, bei denen oftmals zu lesen, dass eine genauere Betrachtung, wie die Person nun an die Macht kam, den Rahmen sprengen würde. Wie sind die Personen verbunden, warum lese ich was zu Ihnen und nicht zu anderen, warum waren sie Tyrannen oder welchen Einfluss hatten sie auf den Lauf der Geschichte - all das bleibt das Buch schuldig.
Definitiv keine Kaufempfehlung.
- Was genau ein Tyrann ist oder wie sich ein Tyrann von einem Diktator unterscheidet; was einen autoritären Staatschef zum Tyrannen macht oder woran man einen Tyrannen erkennt, wird nicht erklärt. Das ist aus meiner Sicht das grundlegende Problem des Buches.
- Die Auswahl der Tyrannen erscheint willkürlich, vor allem da nicht klar ist, wonach bei den verschiedenen Personen in der Geschichte zu suchen ist. Das Stalin und Hitler dabei sind, ergibt sich schnell. Aber Katharina die Große, bei der am Ende vom Kapitel hinterfragt wird, ob sie überhaupt eine Tyrannin war, wird ebenfalls beschrieben. Da es keine Definition gibt, ist die Vergleichbarkeit von Sulla und Robespierre überhaupt nicht gegeben und liest man die Kapitel, ergibt es überhaupt keinen Sinn, dass sie beide im gleichen Buch auftauchen.
- Die Personen werden nicht in ihre Zeit eingeordnet. Macht ein Feldzug einen König zu einem Tyrannen, weil dabei Menschen sterben? Gab es in der Zeit der Person bereits Gedanken, dass man feindliche Soldaten oder Bürger nicht umbringen oder versklaven sollte? Kann man das den Personen der Zeit vorwerfen? Aus meiner Sicht kann man das, aber dann muss erklärt werden, warum bestimmte Personen in diesem Buch dargestellt werden und die vielen anderen, die das auch gemacht haben, nicht.
- Es ist ein ganz starker Blick auf Europa in dem Buch. Vor allem in der Antike reihen sich Griechen und Römer aneinander, die im Vergleich zu anderen nur sehr begrenzt gewirkt haben. Sie werden nur unterbrochen durch wenige aus China. Sonst hatte die Antike wohl keine Tyrannen zu bieten?
- Es gibt keinen roten Faden zwischen den Tyrannen, der eine „Geschichte“ erzählt. Es sind ganz kurze Überblicksbiografien, bei denen oftmals zu lesen, dass eine genauere Betrachtung, wie die Person nun an die Macht kam, den Rahmen sprengen würde. Wie sind die Personen verbunden, warum lese ich was zu Ihnen und nicht zu anderen, warum waren sie Tyrannen oder welchen Einfluss hatten sie auf den Lauf der Geschichte - all das bleibt das Buch schuldig.
Definitiv keine Kaufempfehlung.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Absolute trash that left me feeling like I know less after having read it.
Every man was described as clearly horrible and his achievements were glossed over, every woman was the most yass qween ever to have slayyed criticisms of which were downplayed as having been written by hateful men who just can't stand to see a strong independent woman do her thing.
As an example, Leopold of Belgium having allegedly halved the population of the Congo is described as an unspeakable monstrosity, but Ranavalona I of Madagascar's rule resulting in the deaths of half of the population of her own country is mentioned as just a fact with no emotional weight assigned to it while most of her entry is focused on giving her a balanced portrayal as someone who despite her mental instability kept evil, evil westerners out and performed modernization.
Augustus has an entry as a tyrant and is described in a way that would make you think he was some two bit regional Machiavellian whose only accomplishment is having gotten power and kept it until death, while actually tyrannical Roman emperors are conspicuously absent.
The entries are also so short and vague that they feel like second hand retellings of already condensed versions of wikipedia articles.
I regret my purchase.
Every man was described as clearly horrible and his achievements were glossed over, every woman was the most yass qween ever to have slayyed criticisms of which were downplayed as having been written by hateful men who just can't stand to see a strong independent woman do her thing.
As an example, Leopold of Belgium having allegedly halved the population of the Congo is described as an unspeakable monstrosity, but Ranavalona I of Madagascar's rule resulting in the deaths of half of the population of her own country is mentioned as just a fact with no emotional weight assigned to it while most of her entry is focused on giving her a balanced portrayal as someone who despite her mental instability kept evil, evil westerners out and performed modernization.
Augustus has an entry as a tyrant and is described in a way that would make you think he was some two bit regional Machiavellian whose only accomplishment is having gotten power and kept it until death, while actually tyrannical Roman emperors are conspicuously absent.
The entries are also so short and vague that they feel like second hand retellings of already condensed versions of wikipedia articles.
I regret my purchase.
Review of advance copy
An interesting overview of history's worst tyrants. While very dark in subject matter, I did find it useful to read about these people's actions, behaviours and crimes in this 'line-up' fashion, as a way of identifying similarities in their psychology and influences from one another. This is an enlightening book of historical backstories to read in the current political and economic climate. I would recommend, but I do agree with another reviewer's point that the author portrays female tyrants of history more as 'girlbosses' and male tyrants as oftentimes-insane incarnations of pure evil. Just something to bear in mind.
Review of advance copy
It was fun to go through the different tyrants throughout history. I would’ve liked more detail on what they did once in power, but the focus on how they got there was enjoyable. The common thread I saw was that they were very good at talking to the people, got elected or took out the current leader, got control of the army or created their own small one, and then eliminated anyone who opposed them.
Review of advance copy
So overall i find it an interesting book. I would say it has some errors and a rather interesting way to navigate the stories (i would call it fun facts more than history because it talks a lot about myths on the start of the tyrants). Anyway, i still think it has some value and I don't regret buying it.
March 18, 2026
An odd one - it felt like a hobbie book or beginners guide to tyrany through the ages but seemed to promise more that it delivered. I can’t quite place my finger on it - whether it was the simplistic nature of the accounts, lazy research or just too many tyrants (they all kind of do the same thing!) it felt like a long drawn out affair that could have been half the size.
Review of advance copy
It's a good book! I really enjoyed it but I must say that this hit me at the wrong time. I really just wanted to get on to read the Ayoade book I got for Christmas. Maybe will pick this up again at some point.
March 7, 2026
A bit basic with a few inaccuracies and it reads like an encyclopaedia, but still enjoyable and it’s nice to see a Western book acknowledge the atrocities the Mughal’s forced into India’s native population.
Review of advance copy
Interesting quick stories about the crazy tyrants that have dominated our world. Nice quick concise stories that have small lessons in each and some consistent patterns. Definitely a good tester to find which tyrants and parts of history are interesting to you to learn more about
Review of advance copy
Bought from an airport. This book is the perfect read for a holiday. The series is a brilliant way to get interested in a particular topic which allows you to find other books that go more in depth on a subject
Review of advance copy
A fascinating insight to the mind and similar behaviour of Tyrants throughout history. Nothing more to add really than the book pretty much lived up to expectations
February 6, 2026
🚽 just seemed to fill time, not very detailed. Boring
Review of advance copy
This book serves as a solid starting point for anyone interested in the darker side of leadership. I’m bumping it up to 4 stars because, while it felt too short for such a massive subject, it works perfectly as a fast-paced introductory guide. Because it covers 50 different figures in under 300 pages, it functions more like an essential highlight reel of history's most notorious regimes.
There is a general consensus that it offers a fascinating look into the minds and behaviors of tyrants throughout history. While some noted a few minor errors, they still felt the book lived up to my expectations as an informative and engaging read.
If you are looking for a quick, high-level summary of history’s most infamous figures, this is a great pick. It might not have the deep, interconnected analysis but it’s an accessible primer for your history shelf.
There is a general consensus that it offers a fascinating look into the minds and behaviors of tyrants throughout history. While some noted a few minor errors, they still felt the book lived up to my expectations as an informative and engaging read.
If you are looking for a quick, high-level summary of history’s most infamous figures, this is a great pick. It might not have the deep, interconnected analysis but it’s an accessible primer for your history shelf.
Review of advance copy
Very interesting reading about some names in History I had heard before.
March 4, 2026
One of my classic impulse buys. Ooh, that looks interesting. Only if interesting means the same as turgid. Next stop, a charity shop.
March 27, 2026
Really interesting read and super engaging!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I picked up a copy in the Edinburgh airport, and had it read by the time I arrived at JFK - roughly 7.5 hours later. It was well done and a fun read.
Review of advance copy
One to grow my ever expanding list of shitsandwitches. Waste of time and space. Disappointing in all aspects.
Review of advance copy
So informative of current events and past history that is still useful today
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews