Joseph N Abraham

Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths Joseph N Abraham

WINNER of 10 AWARDS:
NYC Big Book Award: Winner, World History
Indie Book Awards: Winner, Current Events
Eric Hoffer Award: Grand Prize Short List
Montaigne Medal: Finalist
Readers' Favorite Awards: Bronze Medal, Historical Nonfiction
...and 5 others

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"...concise, compelling, & challenging exploration of how humanity became what it is."
-Publishers Weekly

"...the book's scientific analysis, which spans Darwin's concept of evolution to cutting-edge psychology, is a welcome addition to historical conversations..."
-Kirkus Reviews

"Why do we excuse an act, unforgivable if committed by an ordinary citizen, if executed or ordered by a leader?"
-Los Angeles Review of Books

"This book is unique, delving deeply into the worst horrors & most brutal leaders in history..."
-Psychiatric Times

"The term 'must-read' has been so overused. But Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths is a must-read... must-own... and most of all, a must-ponder."
-San Diego Jewish World

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Conquest is murder & theft.
Conquerors are vicious criminals.
Vicious criminals become kings.
Kings designed civilization.

We are the products of civilization.

Right wing movements are of increasing concern around the globe, but the attention is misdirected. The real problem is not the authoritarian leader, but the blinkered supporters who unquestioningly follow him. Without them, the despot is irrelevant.

Why do we attach ourselves to demagogues & mountebanks? Why do we defend even their most obvious hypocrisies & lies?

The answer lies in the roots of civilization. Despite our romantic traditions, monarchs were never wise, just, nor generous. Without exception, history shows that kings were the most vicious psychopaths, narcissists, & sadists who ever lived.

And the only path for survival required unquestioningly obeying- & blindly believing- anything the king said.

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"I've always believed society to be a fundamentally rational thing, but what if it wasn't?
What if it was built on insanity?"
-Jon Ronson, The Psychopath Test

"Abraham commands a very fine style. Humane, incisive, rigorous in its scholarship."
-Robert Mighall, former editor of Penguin Classics

"...wide-ranging research & an unflinching eye for detail..."
-Candice Millard, New York Times best-selling author of The River of Doubt, & the Edgar Award-winning Destiny of the Republic

"...this may be the most important book you will ever read."
-Robin Levin, The Death of Carthage

"...a stark reminder of how fragile & vulnerable to exploitation our modern democratic societies are..."
-Michael Pearson, CEO, Mathematical Association of America

"This book is a must-read..."
-Carol Beggy, co-author, award-winning Boston book series; Ted Kennedy: Scenes from an Epic Life; & former reporter, Boston Globe

"A detailed and engaging examination of our haunted past and threatening future. Read it and weep."
-John Mack Faragher, Daniel Boone, & The American Heritage Encyclopedia of American History

"This book is a must-read..."
-Jim Engster, NPR affiliate WRKF

"...an insightful, novel argument based on both a keen clinical eye, & an exhaustive review of the literature..."
-James Fallon, The Psychopath Inside

"For those who want their minds expanded & blown: Dr. Abraham is the man."
-Pearson Cross, Bayou to Beltway, NPR affiliate KRVS

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Joseph N Abraham, MD is an emergency physician (Tulane '86), evo