History's Most Murderous Villains

Does Ivan Vasilyevich, also known as Ivan the Terrible, deserve his menacing moniker? The grand prince of Moscow built an empire in the 16th century to become the first tsar of Russia in 1547. Though his achievements were considerable during his time in power, his suspicions about the loyalty of his subjects led to thousands of executions, casting a bloody pall over his entire reign. This story of an intriguing-though chilling-ruler will captivate readers as well as give them an understanding of the conflicts in Europe and Asia at this time.

Sixteenth-century Hungarian noblewoman Elizabeth Báthory became known as the Blood Countess after being accused of torturing and killing numerous young women. She was never convicted of these crimes, but accounts of her life became intertwined with bloody folklore. Some say she bathed in her victims' blood to stay young! This gripping biography relates the fascinating facts and the gruesome and grisly tales that hound this woman's legacy. Sidebars, fact boxes, and photographs and illustrations provide more information about Báthory as well as the time in which she lived.

Vlad III, the 15th century ruler of what is now southern Romania had a terrifying nickname-the Impaler. It originated with the grisly way he dealt with his enemies: He demanded that their not-yet-dead bodies be impaled on stakes. Vlad's reputation for brutality only grew and later became entwined with the legend of the vampire Dracula. This in-depth account presents the true story of Vlad the Impaler and his fight against the Ottoman Empire, a struggle that makes the villain a hero to some. An appealing design and features such as sidebars and fact boxes make this biography an especially high-interest read for young historians.

Nero was the ruthless ruler who "fiddled while Rome burned"-or was he? The fifth Roman emperor's reputation is unsavory at best. However, in this detailed biography, Nero's reign is thoroughly examined, casting doubt on some of the criticisms of the leader. Readers will be fascinated by the machinations of the royal Roman household that led to the rise and fall of the famous emperor. The carefully selected photographs reveal artwork and artifacts of the time period, while sidebars and fact boxes bring more valuable information about ancient Roman culture to light.

"Genghis Khan" means "greatest of rulers, emperor of all men." A Mongolian nomad was awarded this title after leading his people to victory in Asia at the turn of the 13th century. This captivating biography relays why he has retained this moniker throughout history, from a daring escape as a young man named Temüjin to his ambitious empire building across three continents. Absorbing text and beguiling artwork give readers an understanding of this time period and the many cultures that clashed over power and land in this era.

The Romans called Attila the Hun the "Scourge of God," and he stands out as one of the most brutal barbarians of the ancient world. Though historians know surprisingly little about Attila, what they do know confirms that he was an incredibly successful leader. He united bands of his people to conquer large sections of Europe in the fifth century. The vicious tactics of these nomadic peoples are matched only by the storied biography of their leader. This fascinating account of Attila is supported by ancient primary sources as well as imaginative artwork depicting the ruler and his people.