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A Short History of the World in 50 Tyrants

Brief Description
Explore the tyrants who have shaped the course of history. All power corrupts, but absolute power can turn people into absolute monsters. Discover the true stories behind the men and women who led tyrannies around the world. This is history ... but not as you know... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
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Releases 5th March 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "A Short History of the World in 50 Tyrants" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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A Short History of the World in 50 Tyrants

A fascinating and alternative perspective on history as we know it, told through 50 of the world’s tyrants and the regimes that have shaped the course of humanity.

A fascinating examination of the tyrants who have shaped the course of history, from the publishers of the bestselling series that includes A Short History of the World in 50 Lies and A Short History of the World in 50 Failures.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Explore the tyrants who have shaped the course of history. All power corrupts, but absolute power can turn people into absolute monsters. Discover 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 examines 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 explores their rise to power, how they stayed there, and how they were overthrown. The book investigates 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 available:

A Short History of the World in 50 Failures (9781789296938)
A Short History of the World in 50 Lies (9781789294606)
A Short History of the World in 50 Books (9781789294088)
A Short History of the World in 50 Animals (9781789292954)
A Short History of the World in 50 Places (9781789291971)

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781789298444

Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 December 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd

Illustration: B/w line drawings

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 178.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Ben Gazur is a freelance writer and author specializing in history, folklore and science. He has written for outlets including the Guardian, the BBC, All About History and Fortean Times. His books cover everything from Epicurus to history’s strangest deaths and British food folklore.

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