Absolute Power: The Real Lives of Europe's Most Infamous Rulers

by C.S. Denton

In an age when monarchies are little more than tourist pageantry, it is easy to forget that sovereigns once wielded absolute power. This book examines the reigns of more than 70 European autocrats, from Caligula to Nicholas II via 'Bloody Mary' and Ivan the Terrible. All were to some degree mad, bad or dangerous to live under, but the stronger connection is that they failed to fulfil the extravagant hopes placed in them.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Historical

598 pages, Unknown Binding

First published July 31, 2006

Reviews

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I refuse to waste time explaining why this book is so bad, it is, that is why I have shelved it in so many categories of awfulness.

[Shishir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Salacious history of some of the most notorious characters from history - sadistic, madness, incestuous relationships and all embroiled in deep cruelty

[Eric Layton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that if you're interested in History, you'll probably find this book quite interesting, as I did.

It's basically a story of 20+ centuries' worth of excessive religious zealotry, homicide, genocide, fratricide, excessive misogyny, excessive inbreeding, diseases, deformities, corruption, greed, elitism, jealousy, revolt, warfare, uncountable humans slaughtered and butchered across a continent, etc., ad nauseum.

If they were around back then, the crews of Dateline, 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, Frontline would have been quite busy.

[Elizabeth Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the more serious history buffs I know who flipped through this indicated it was a bit sensationalist, and tended to report as fact things that are still in question. The author definitely had favorites and sympathies for some of them, that much was obvious even to me.

Still, it was fascinating stuff. If I'd read some of it in a novel, I would have had trouble believing it, it was so crazy. Gave me a dozen notions for stories or game plots... :)

[Mel Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

And I thought Gloria Arroyo and Ferdinand Marcos were evil..