Evil Masters: The Frightening World of Tyrants

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Overview

Seven dramatic accounts of ancient and modern tyrants.

History is full of evil rulers who rose to power despite the widespread suffering they caused. Though they ruled in different countries and often at different times, their behavior and actions have been frighteningly similar. How did they get away with it?

Evil Masters reveals the typical characteristics of a tyrant and then profiles seven tyrannical rulers from the past 3,000 years. The ...

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More About This Book

Overview

Seven dramatic accounts of ancient and modern tyrants.

History is full of evil rulers who rose to power despite the widespread suffering they caused. Though they ruled in different countries and often at different times, their behavior and actions have been frighteningly similar. How did they get away with it?

Evil Masters reveals the typical characteristics of a tyrant and then profiles seven tyrannical rulers from the past 3,000 years. The rise to power of each ruler reveals a familiar web of manipulation, fear-mongering, and deceit to get and stay on top.

Ancient China saw the rise of Qin Shi Huang-ti, who gained control and glory by melting the weapons of the peasants to make statues of himself. He also suppressed the teachings of Confucius and burned libraries.

More than 2,000 years later, book burnings became a favorite tactic of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. Hitler would further promote only his ideas through widespread propaganda, a practice echoed by Josef Stalin in Russia, whose tightly controlled newspaper claimed to be Pravda -- "the truth." Stalin held power through an army of secret police who enforced his will. Similar underground thugs were crucial to Saddam Hussein's rise to power.

Dramatic storytelling loaded with information, archival images, and thought-provoking accounts offer a revealing look at some of history's most evil rulers. Featured tyrants include:

  • Saddam Hussein, 1937-
  • Adolf Hitler, 1889-1945
  • Josef Stalin, 1879-1953
  • Maximilien Robespierre, 1758-1794
  • Ivan the Terrible, 1530-1584
  • Nero, 37-69 AD
  • Qin Shi Huang-ti, ca. 259-210 BC

Evil Masters is a chilling introduction to the catastrophic consequences of absolute power.

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Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature
This book profiles evil rulers and what commonalities exist among them. The book focuses on seven particular tyrants over a period of 2,500 years, providing biographies of each leader. What motivated each of them? What finally destroyed them? These seven particular tyrants are: Qin Shi Huangdi (259-210 BC), first emperor of China; Nero (37-69), Roman Emperor; Ivan the Terrible (1530-1584), Czar of Russia; Robespierre (1758-1794), of France; Hitler (1889-1945), leader of Nazi Germany; Stalin (1879-1953), of the Soviet Union; and modern-day Saddam Hussein of Iraq. Besides the seven profiles, there are three additional chapters. The first chapter of the book is entitled "Ways of the Tyrant" and identifies three characteristics that most tyrants share and seven signs of a tyrant. For example, tyrants usually emerge during times of turmoil, and they are typically consumed by xenophobia and suspicion. The next to the last chapter in the book devotes one page each to five modern dictators. These men all have taken power since 1995 and include Francois Duvalier of Haiti, Augusto Pinochet of Chile, Pol Pot of Cambodia, Idi Amin of Uganda, and Kim Jong II of North Korea. The final chapter looks at the difficulties in bringing an end to tyranny in the world. Students and classrooms might use this book to look at tyranny in general or to research a particular ruler. 2005, Annick Press Ltd, Ages 12 up.
—Lynn O'Connell
School Library Journal
Gr 7-10-This informative and compelling title examines the lives and reigns of seven rulers. The profiles range from the frightening ancient world of the first emperor of China and Nero, emperor of Rome during the first century, to Ivan the Terrible and Robespierre. More recent rulers include Hitler, Stalin, and Saddam Hussein. The concise narrative is delivered in an interesting manner, with enough detail to present a historical context without overburdening readers. An introduction reveals some common personality traits that motivate rulers to become tyrants and the climate necessary for individuals to rise to absolute power. Maps, photos, reproductions, and half-page fact boxes make the events easier to understand. Whether readers are seeking information on an individual or want to compare tyrannical traits, this is an excellent and thought-provoking resource.-Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Canadian Materials
Scandiffio...delivers an informative and interesting text.
— Val K. Lem
Canadian Materials - Val K. Lem
Scandiffio...delivers an informative and interesting text.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781550378948
  • Publisher: Annick Press, Limited
  • Publication date: 5/12/2005
  • Pages: 160
  • Sales rank: 1,319,031
  • Age range: 12 - 17 Years
  • Product dimensions: 6.00 (w) x 8.40 (h) x 0.60 (d)

Meet the Author

Laura Scandiffio writes and edits non-fiction books for children and is the author of The Martial Arts Book.

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