Vlad III Dracula: The Life and Times of the Historical Dracula

by Kurt W. Treptow

The fifteenth century Romanian Prince Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, is one of the most fascinating personalities of medieval history. Even within this figure's own lifetime, his true story became obscured by a veil of myths. Vlad has been depicted as a national and Christian hero who bravely fought to defend his native land and all of Europe against the invading Turkish infidels. However, he has also been portrayed as a bloody tyrant -- whose reputation slowly transformed through the ages into the fictional vampire created by Bram Stoker at the end of the nineteenth century. Even in the twentieth century, the true history of Dracula has been obscured by communist and nationalist historiography. This book presents the life and times of this fascinating personality of medieval Europe. The author uses all extant Romanian, Turkish, Russian and German sources to reconstruct the history of this famous Prince who, despite his short reign, created a name for himself in the history of his country.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Romania, Biography Memoir

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2022

Reviews

[Vakaris the Nosferatu · Rating 4 out of 5]

all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu

About the Book: As the title implies, the book encompasses the life of Vlad Dracula. How he came to be known as Lord Impaler. What was life back then, and what was the economic, and political climate during the war. What impact did religion have on the nation and its ruler. And many other tidbits of the Son of the Dragon.

My Opinion: A pretty fine read, defining Vlad Dracula as the prince, the warlord, and what traits of his, what behaviors, have inspired the vampire rumors even before Stoker did his thing. The one firm con of the book is that it’s really not an easy one to read. Dry, a bit hard to follow at times.

[Sezin Koehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book ages ago and just pulled it off my shelf for research today to find that I've never reviewed it on here. Talk about an oversight. This is a brilliant and comprehensive look at the man and the myth of Dracula. Beautiful illustrations—if morbid art is your thing, as well as detailed information about Vlad's childhood, family, and notorious war crimes. Great read for history buffs, horror fans, and anyone interested in a nuanced look at one of Romania's most iconic citizens.

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing read. I had wanted the book to refer more towards Prince Vlad the person. His personality, character traits, personal life, etc. There should be plenty of that to write about as there are definitely some pretty ridiculous stories out there about this man.
Unfortunately, the book dealt more with Prince Vlad the prince, leader, warrior, etc. Much of the writing just involved too much politics for me.
The best part about this book was in the final appendix when you get a glimpse into the mind of this violent madman.

[Raven · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want a biography about Vlad III, find a different book. If you want a book about the politics of his time period and a bunch of rumors about Vlad, look no further. Disappointing.

[Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me quite some time to finish this one because of the annotations and notes, but this was an actual feast in all the best ways possible! Treptow's book may not focus on the figure of Vlad Dracula as such as he leans more towards his rule set in the wider context of Wallachian politics of the 15th century, but it is an essential work not only to understand the region in these times but also to understand all the aspects and characteristics of Vlad's rule. When reading this, the reader gets a full mosaic of his talents and accomplishments — not only on the battlefield but in the realms of diplomacy as well. It is also important to mention that Treptow's work is incredibly well researched. He already mentions several important facts and explanations that the team of Corpus Draculianum (who currently broaden the knowledge about Vlad on an extensive and detailed level) now try to bring back to light again. A wonderful, wonderful piece of historical research.

(Also, it is important to understand that someone's work does not mean it excuses the person's personal conduct. While Treptow's research is phenomenal in this sphere, it is important to condemn his actions.)

[Trevor Trujillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I say this with absolutely no shade on the book itself, but this one missed me. While it is thoroughly researched, the writing is more academic than I was hoping for in a quick October-read biography of the real Dracula.
Almost reading like a reference book, Treptow tells us the story of a leader often mistreated by legend, mistreated by critics, and overinflated by fans. Vlad III Dracula was a man attempting to hold power, expand his interests, and continue the lifestyle in his lands while walking a thorny political tightrope between volatile neighbors.
I will say the book is not salacious and while it mentions, matter-of-factly, the barbaric practices that inspired Bram Stoker's vampire vision, it doesn't overly dwell on them either. I think this might be an opportunity for some growth on my part as I realized that maybe I was looking for something more trashy and salacious.
But, if you are looking for a thorough exploration of the complex politics surrounding Vlad III Dracula's multiple times on the throne, the book delivers a competent and short biography. It also has several interesting appendices.

[Calvin Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having written my own novel which fused in the life and times of the historical Dracula, I was very excited to learn of this latest from Romanian researcher and member of The Center for Romanian Studies, Kurt W. Treptow. What makes this book most interesting and fascinating is that it is written from a perspective of presenting Vlad III Dracula as a "brave prince" and "capable leader" as opposed to a bloodthirsty tyrant and an evil vampire. The author explores the political and religious agendas from the period and how Dracula faced these realities. The book delves into Vlad's decision making and motivations which drove him to action. Treptow's claims are backed by plenty of historical evidence, including letters, legal documents and stories that survive today. If I have any criticism to add it would be that the manner in which it is written often made me think of the encyclopedias I used to have to read to do book reports in school.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess it's a trigger warning, but on googling the author's name for this review I found something I wish I hadn't, and if you're someone who struggles to separate the author from the work - I generally don't, but probably wouldn't have read it if I knew beforehand being that this was after all a casual read for me - you might want to give this a miss.

More aimed towards scholars of the man and the period than for the casual reader, and I'm very much a casual reader, this wasn't really what I was after, but then that's down to me rather than the book itself. I found it quite dry in places and certainly it lost me in others. This makes it very hard to rate as I haven't read enough to compare or even attempt to assess the scholarship other than to say as a layman, this appears very well researched and the author's back catalogue and history suggests he is well regarded as a scholar in his chosen field.

[Allegra Gulino · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book denigrates certain findings from the book, Dracula, Prince of Many Faces, by Radu R. Florescu and Raymond T. Mcnally, it wasn't nearly as satisfying to read as the latter. Where as the Prince of Many Faces had the authors traveling across Romania, discovering or researching important aspects of Dracula's life, Vlad III Dracula lacks that adventurous quality. In fact it isn't adventurous at all, in how the author comes to his conclusions, or refuses to do so. It's as if Treptow patently refuses to infer anything about the motives or personality of Vlad the Impaler, and has sworn to only stick to the facts.
One section that I did appreciate was the chart of the change in local officials from the beginning of Vlad's reign, toward the his heyday -- which gave insights into how many people were loyal and how they were repaid by the Prince, by keeping their positions or climbing up. There were many conclusions which were echoed in Prince of Many Faces and in other essays that I had studied on Vlad the Impaler, so for me, this book wasn't earth shattering. That is useful too, as it validates the other works -- good to know.
As an odd contrast, the fantastical, highly detailed (I used my magnifying glass to really see the fine pen work) drawings by Octavian Jon Penda lend the book a mythic story, which the text lacks. If only the author took it upon himself to give the writing a bit more color, to match the art.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

This 'biography' is more of a essay on the Wallachia between 1386 to 1477. It comments briefly on many of the Princes of the region and gives good facts about the circumstances surrounding Vlad III Dracula, but it is definately not attempting to follow his life. It reads like a collegiate paper, which the author states at the bginning it was started as such. I was expecting so much more than this book offered.

[Lewis Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of actual historians and Vlad experts quote the book and author as legit. If you can't separate the author from his personal life, well, you need to open your mind. Yes, it's screwed up but doesn't detract from the research of this book.

And if you're looking at the reviews here stating its not entertaining, maybe join them within going to read Vampire Diaries.

If you want the no b.s. Facts... Tada. Here they are

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐ While this book was well researched and written, I was expecting more from it in terms of examining Vlad's personality, personal life, and the history behind the legend from an individual perspective rather than a political one.

[Malum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry as dirt and felt more like an overview than a proper biography.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

3/10

Pretty boring.

[Nickmarple Marple · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is very little information about the historic Dracula. But this book does a good job in covering that information and portraying the political situation in the area.

[Lee Carroll-Mayes]

Literally a godsend for my dissertation because it has a comprehensive list of all major primary sources at the end

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and although little is written about him, I have gained more information from documentaries.

[Laurence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several challenges for this book.

The main character is a giant of fiction, and this book doesn't really discuss this. It is more about his struggle as lord of Wallachia against the Ottomans. I happen to like medieval history so this isn't a problem for me, but it is surprising.

Unfortunately I find the history too simplified and lacking in the detail required.

The regions of Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldova are not well known to me, and the book doesn't go to great lengths to explain the size or disposition of the geography. What sort of populations are we dealing with? What scale?

The battles are not elaborated on they just happen and have victors and losers.

For a biography of an infamous historical character, I don't really know more about him as a man or his deeds.

[Deviant Quill Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vlad Dracula's story is told in such a way, that even those who don't have much understanding of history can follow it. The author goes back to the deeds of his grandfather to show how Vlad came to be, in order to help the listener/reader understand his life and actions better. This historical figure has been misunderstood for hundreds of years, especially starting with the 19th century when the fictional novel Dracula was published.

I highly recommend it to those who want to learn the difference between Vlad III and the fictional Dracula. He was not a vampire, but he's no less fascinating.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was very informative on the economic and political variables affecting the region during Vlad's time. I was not familiar with a lot of the clashes between Orthodoxy and Catholicism and Islam in the region and how often sides would flip-flop to form another alliance. The turnover of princes in Wallachia itself was astounding.

[Zach Peffer]

This is the definitive book if you wish to research Vlad. It does something very, very few books do and does not mention the Stoker invention of Dracula. The language is clear and easy to follow even for non historians. For historians, this is mainly a book seeking to understand and simultaneously disproving the mythistory surrounding the enigmatic figure of Vlad Tepes Dracula.

[KazuChris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It portrays both the positives and negatives of Vlad's character while remaining relatively unbiased. I went into this book expecting to learn about a bloodthirsty monster but when I finished it I realized Vlad was more of a complicated tragic figure who tried to defend his homeland and faith from two empires (HRE and Ottomans) at his doorstep.

4/5

[Hokuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly detailed and well-researched, well-documented book on Vlad Tsepes. Truth be told, it had me at "appendices with translations of historical documents" - including letters and deeds written by Tsepes. Excellent reference work of DOOOOOOM!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book about Vlad Dracula I have ever read, I have been researching him for years and I found alot in here that I didn't know as well as certain 'facts' being either confirmed or disproved. Took me a long time to track down an affordable copy of this book and it was completely worth it.

[Tanya Procknow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a fun read unless you really know your Romanian and Hungarian geography and I do not. It was big on specific locations that meant nothing to me. I ended up lost a bit of the time. I did like the section that has translations of all Vlad's known correspondence.

[Juan Bárcenas Cuellar · Rating 3 out of 5]

¿Quieres conocer al dracula historico?
Este el el mejor libro que he encontrado sobre el tema.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confession: I read this to get clues for book three in the Conqueror's Saga by Kiersten White....