I only read a small segment from this book (it was my friend's copy), but I liked it so much that I gave it to my two younger brothers for Christmas. They said that they really like the book as well. I also bought The Most Evil Women in History and The Most Evil Secret Societies in History for them as well.
The Title Says It All
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Well, I'm sure there could be several more versions of this book as time progresses and we discover the true crimes of politicians and other crazed people from the past and today, but for now, this book will suffice. With each chapter I read, my jaw dropped a little further upon discovering the true atrocities forced upon people by this truly evil men and women. It's amazing that the people living in the countries and/or time periods that these individuals lived ever made it out alive. Most of us know about Hitler, Pol Pot, Rasputin, and Stalin because we were taught about them in school or we're old enough to remember, but I didn't know anything about Ilsa Koch or Caligula or Torqemeda and their crimes make me want to cry for the people who had to experience them. I just loathe the fact that most of these evil people weren't punished more than they were. And what's truly sad and evil about the whole thing is that genocides (like those that Pol Pot and Hitler enacted) and other crimes like these people committed still happen today (i.e. Sudan and let us not EVER forget Rwanda). This book needs to be a wake up call for people. Go out and buy this book and read it. I enjoyed the book thoroughly, but my heart ached for the people afflicted by these truly evil, deranged individuals.
Excellent Resource Book.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
I picked this up on deep discount but I think that it's worth full-price. It consists of 16 different essays on some of the most vile individuals to walk this earth. It is far from perfect and Mao is suspiciously absent as he is indisputably in the top five on everyone's Monster List. However, the book is quite helpful for research purposes as I made use of the chapters on Caligula and Nero just the other day. It's not a pretty picture but it's one that must be studied or in the words of Santayana, those who forget the past are condemned to relive it.
Great Book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
If you like to slow down and look at car accidents, this book is for you.Seriously, if you like history and if you are curious about any of the people profiled in this book, then buy it. Also great for people (like me) who often have to put books down or who don't finish books due to a busy schedule.The people in this book are sick, sadistic people. It's unbelievable the atrocities that they were able to get away with. My favorite (strange choice of words) is Vlad the Impaler, whom the character Dracula is based upon. You don't even want to know what is involved in impaling people (of course you do, just like slowing down to see the trafiic accident).The best part is that each story can be read and finished in 20 mintes...before bed, on a train, etc. Which is great because it seems that every history book is 400 pages long. After reading some of these stories, I have selectivley bought more detailed books about the era in which the people lived. I really like this "short story" format.
Great bedtime book!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
I have been reading this book for the past week and it's a great bedtime book. Each story is about 5-6 pages long and it's just right for me. When I go to bed, I am already tired so I only read a few pages to get myself settled in and relaxed. The short stories are perfect for people who only read a little at a time. It's also a good bathtime book. Some of the mentionables would be Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Prince Vlad Dracula, Countess Elizabeth of Bathory, and Attila the Hun. There is also Nero, Ivan the Terrible, Pol Pot and Bloody Mary. The stories from the first century AD to present day. It's great seeing how these people started out in their lives and how they ended up. The drama is nonstop. Hope you enjoy.
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