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Twisted History: 32 True Stories of Torture, Traitors, Sadists, and Psychos... Plus the Most Celebrated Saints in History
Twisted History brings to life the incredible stories of 32 historical figures -- murderers, assassins and traitors who embraced the dark side, and martyrs and innocents who paid with their lives in the pursuit of good. All changed world history.
The book is lavishly illustrated with stunning illustrations and period photographs. Accessible text and fact boxes describe evil and angelic acts across the centuries, like Judas, whose name would come to define betrayal, Joan of Arc, victorious virgin soldier and patron saint of France, and René Goupil, tortured and martyred by Native Americans, who became the first American saint.
Twisted History puts readers face to face with vile villains and true heroes. They include:
William Wallace, the Scottish hero who was hanged, drawn and quartered by the English for high treason
(c.1270-1305)
Vlad the Impaler, who enjoyed torturing and impaling his victims (1431-76)
Bernie Madoff (1938- ), architect of the biggest financial scam in history, a $65-billion Ponzi scheme that shattered banks, insurance companies and private investors
Kazuo Taoka, boss of the most powerful and merciless Japanese yakuza gang (1913-81).
Twisted History is an engaging, informative and gripping read for all teen and adult readers.
The book is lavishly illustrated with stunning illustrations and period photographs. Accessible text and fact boxes describe evil and angelic acts across the centuries, like Judas, whose name would come to define betrayal, Joan of Arc, victorious virgin soldier and patron saint of France, and René Goupil, tortured and martyred by Native Americans, who became the first American saint.
Twisted History puts readers face to face with vile villains and true heroes. They include:
William Wallace, the Scottish hero who was hanged, drawn and quartered by the English for high treason
(c.1270-1305)
Vlad the Impaler, who enjoyed torturing and impaling his victims (1431-76)
Bernie Madoff (1938- ), architect of the biggest financial scam in history, a $65-billion Ponzi scheme that shattered banks, insurance companies and private investors
Kazuo Taoka, boss of the most powerful and merciless Japanese yakuza gang (1913-81).
Twisted History is an engaging, informative and gripping read for all teen and adult readers.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
173 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 22, 2020
The contents of this book are not pleasant, by any means, and have to be taken in small pieces. However, the writing strikes a good balance of giving enough detail to tell you what happened and make your stomach turn without going overboard and making you want to scrub your brain with bleach. It takes an adequately distanced approach--and talks about the good men balanced out these criminals, including having entire features that focused on good people who died due to foul play--enough to make it tolerable to read. So as far as the quality of the book is concerned, it was very good. And it did serve to give a glimpse into the variety of motivations people may have for doing evil things, which will help with writing my own villains and was my primary purpose in reading this book.
Would I recommend it to others? Not really. But it does provide a well-communicated glimpse into the darker side of history that we tend to gloss over and sugar-coat.
Would I recommend it to others? Not really. But it does provide a well-communicated glimpse into the darker side of history that we tend to gloss over and sugar-coat.
July 30, 2018
I was surprised at how good it was. A light read (in the sense that it was short) and it covered a bunch of characters I didn't expect and some that I have never even heard of. The chapters were brief but informative and the aesthetics of the pages were macabre and keeping in tone.
July 4, 2017
Honestly I think there should have been more to the Introduction. There are so many stories of other main players that were bloody, gruesome, nasty or kind that it could fill up a book the size of textbook or two so I want to know why he chose these 32 stories. What made these particular ones the right ones with the exception that so many of them were well-known names?
I liked the formatting of the book where each character is presented with several pages. It starts off with the name, a brief summary of the person underneath, a fact file with the basic summary and then it goes a bit into the details of each person. It explains what made that person particularly fitting for the section of the book, how they coped or what they were like. And there are plenty of pictures for those who don't just like a book full of words will enjoy that prelude.
Also what makes this book interesting is that the author does go into explaining either some more of the torture(s) and in the case of some of the more ambiguous ones what the real cause of death was. Gruesome and morbid for those into the subject.
I didn't like the fact that with Eichmann or Hitler they basically put more emphasis on the Jews instead of all the victim such as the first ones that were confined to hospitals or mental wards. Fortunately with Hitler other victims were touched upon a bit later on. Also the sizing of the font was a bit smaller than I am used to blind that I am....
So what gives the book an extra star for me is the fact that the author points out what most other people look over such as with Judas Iscariot. If Judas hadn't betrayed Christ then where would Christianity be now? It is the generous portrayal of more than one view that makes this book up for me.
I liked the formatting of the book where each character is presented with several pages. It starts off with the name, a brief summary of the person underneath, a fact file with the basic summary and then it goes a bit into the details of each person. It explains what made that person particularly fitting for the section of the book, how they coped or what they were like. And there are plenty of pictures for those who don't just like a book full of words will enjoy that prelude.
Also what makes this book interesting is that the author does go into explaining either some more of the torture(s) and in the case of some of the more ambiguous ones what the real cause of death was. Gruesome and morbid for those into the subject.
I didn't like the fact that with Eichmann or Hitler they basically put more emphasis on the Jews instead of all the victim such as the first ones that were confined to hospitals or mental wards. Fortunately with Hitler other victims were touched upon a bit later on. Also the sizing of the font was a bit smaller than I am used to blind that I am....
So what gives the book an extra star for me is the fact that the author points out what most other people look over such as with Judas Iscariot. If Judas hadn't betrayed Christ then where would Christianity be now? It is the generous portrayal of more than one view that makes this book up for me.
March 23, 2015
10/10 Stars. A great quick history book. I definitely recommend if you are interested in the darker side of history/humanity.
January 22, 2018
"I will leap into my grave laughing because the feeling that I have five million human beings on my conscience is for me a source of extraordinary satisfaction.” - Adolf Eichmann, Nazi SS Officer.
I had set my expectations for this book pretty high, so I was a bit disappointed when it failed to meet them. I’m not a huge fan of history (I know, it’s shameful), so I was hoping this book would appeal to my darker side and bridge the gap between me and my history with… history. Alas, it left me wanting.
From the assumptions I made from just the cover and description, I expected it to be full of dark grisly stories. There were only about 5 such stories. The rest were stories of historical figures that made either a major positive or negative impact. For example, Joan of Arc, Kazuo Taoka (a Japanese gangster), and Bernie Madoff (the mastermind of the greatest financial scam in history) certainly made their mark on history, but in my mind they didn’t belong in this book.
The stories were more of a summary, and I would have loved for the author to have gone into a bit more detail; I feel as though quality was sacrificed for the sake of quantity. However, I did love the graphics, pictures, and paintings included within, and the entire design of the layout was very appealing. My favorite stories were that of H. H. Holmes (the builder of Murder Castle), Jack the Ripper, Vlad the Impaler, Gilles de Rais, and a couple others. I just wish there had been more stories such as theirs. 3.5/5
I had set my expectations for this book pretty high, so I was a bit disappointed when it failed to meet them. I’m not a huge fan of history (I know, it’s shameful), so I was hoping this book would appeal to my darker side and bridge the gap between me and my history with… history. Alas, it left me wanting.
From the assumptions I made from just the cover and description, I expected it to be full of dark grisly stories. There were only about 5 such stories. The rest were stories of historical figures that made either a major positive or negative impact. For example, Joan of Arc, Kazuo Taoka (a Japanese gangster), and Bernie Madoff (the mastermind of the greatest financial scam in history) certainly made their mark on history, but in my mind they didn’t belong in this book.
The stories were more of a summary, and I would have loved for the author to have gone into a bit more detail; I feel as though quality was sacrificed for the sake of quantity. However, I did love the graphics, pictures, and paintings included within, and the entire design of the layout was very appealing. My favorite stories were that of H. H. Holmes (the builder of Murder Castle), Jack the Ripper, Vlad the Impaler, Gilles de Rais, and a couple others. I just wish there had been more stories such as theirs. 3.5/5
November 13, 2019
I don't think a paragraph review is necessary, but here's what I've got:
This book is a gold mine on the history of dictators, saints, and mass-murderers as well as some of the most notorious thieves and plunderers in history. Going as far back as Emperor Nero to as recent as Lee Harvey Oswald, this book will keep you reading, and a great start even if you don't love history.
Recommended to everyone and anyone.
This book is a gold mine on the history of dictators, saints, and mass-murderers as well as some of the most notorious thieves and plunderers in history. Going as far back as Emperor Nero to as recent as Lee Harvey Oswald, this book will keep you reading, and a great start even if you don't love history.
Recommended to everyone and anyone.
May 2, 2018
This is a neat read. It's actually a collection of four to five page biographies so you certainly won't become an expert on the subjects but you'll get a decent spattering of historical stories.
To me the most enjoyable part was the artwork included with the older stories.
To me the most enjoyable part was the artwork included with the older stories.
January 3, 2023
I love the condensed versions of some of the biggest names in history. It’s informative enough to give honest facts, and short enough to make you want to dive back into your history books or google to learn more!
July 8, 2024
This is an interesting book. It gives you a brief snapshot into the stories of historical figures....some good...MOST BADDDD!!!!
If you want in depth historical studies on these people you'll have to go elsewhere. Each entry is 4-5 pages, with pictures.
If you want in depth historical studies on these people you'll have to go elsewhere. Each entry is 4-5 pages, with pictures.
December 6, 2018
It's a very interesting book and manages to be factual without being boring.
April 10, 2019
Gross and weird. I liked it.
But I could have done without the saints. It felt weird that Ghandi was talked about and then a few pages later Hitler. What? Didn't flow well.
But I could have done without the saints. It felt weird that Ghandi was talked about and then a few pages later Hitler. What? Didn't flow well.
October 30, 2020
Love, love, love the book. The book is full of interesting information.
June 10, 2023
To the joker this is just normal history
July 11, 2015
This was a quick synopsis of famous and infamous people who have been labeled the worst of the worse and those that were not evil intentionally but whose followers committed horrific acts in their name, or their enemies who did evil things to silence them. This book focused on the personalities not the gruesome details which we are already aware of. Interesting read for those history buffs looking for the quick read.
July 29, 2016
*3.5 stars
A quick, easy primer about some of history's most notorious characters.
I do have to side-eye a book with an Introduction in which the author talks about how the victors write history and how propaganda has therefore muddied the facts about certain historical figures -- for instance, Richard III -- and then later in the book present the Tudors' (and Shakespeare's) lies about Richard as fact.
A quick, easy primer about some of history's most notorious characters.
I do have to side-eye a book with an Introduction in which the author talks about how the victors write history and how propaganda has therefore muddied the facts about certain historical figures -- for instance, Richard III -- and then later in the book present the Tudors' (and Shakespeare's) lies about Richard as fact.
July 3, 2015
Lots of information about some of the bloodiest and gruesome deaths in history. Put into three separate categories. Treachery & Torture - Brutus, Vlad the Impaler. Saints & Sinners - Judas Iscariot, Joan of Arc, Rasputin (creepy) and Murder & Mayhem - Jack the Ripper, Lee Harvey Oswald. A total of 32 people. A very interesting book.
January 21, 2016
This book gives you quick, easily read historical information about some of the most important figures in the world. This book allows you to read about murder, mayhem and peace, all without making you feel bogged down by to much detail and facts. I would recommend to anyone who likes history but doesnt want to feel like they are reading from a text book
August 10, 2015
Decent, if short, summary of interesting characters from history.
Not really impressed with the way the chapters are made up.
No real in depth information, but a good book to leaf through for a short summary.
Not really impressed with the way the chapters are made up.
No real in depth information, but a good book to leaf through for a short summary.
November 14, 2015
Beautiful book, but there was only 1 person listed in the book that I did not already know a lot about (that would be the post-WWII Yakuza boss Kazuo Taoka) and the information is extremely cursory.
If you know nothing about these people then it is a good primer.
If you know nothing about these people then it is a good primer.
May 27, 2015
It was a really quick read and very interesting. I love reading about strange and dark things from history and was not disappointed by this book. It also has a lot of great photos in it.
June 9, 2015
Would love to read more books like this so if anyone has any suggestions feel free to leave them!
December 14, 2015
This was an interesting book. Reading this made me want to read book written about some of it's subjects.
March 25, 2017
Short reads about murderers, sinners, torturers. Some saints included. More cliff notes than history book.
September 4, 2015
Totally amazing!
January 1, 2017
Just my kind of book learning about the cruel evils of history and learning a lot in the process.
January 23, 2017
Interesting book, very educational!
October 14, 2015
A really interesting read and a fascinating look on some of the more gruesome incidents in history.
January 12, 2016
It was a very entertaining book and my whole family enjoyed hearing it as well.
March 22, 2017
This is an excellent bathtoom book. it goes over each person in a brief, but informative biography life to death. understand this book is gruesome but in an intellectual way. they only describe what the book says it will. their crimes and death some of which are pretty brutal. For the dark/macbre/taboo history lover (such as my self) this is an excellent book. Covers infamous disturbed leader/person from classical age through I believe WWII
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews