Alexander The Great

Uncover the truth behind the legend. Count Dracula, the dark, seductive figure of Bram Stoker's creation, has captivated imaginations for over a century. But is there a real-life counterpart to this immortal villain?

Many historians believe the answer lies with Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler. Feared throughout Western Europe for his brutal methods, particularly his infamous penchant for impaling his enemies, Vlad is estimated to have killed between 40,000 and 100,000 people in his ruthless defense against the expanding Ottoman Empire. He spared no one, ruling his own people with an iron fist and reportedly reveling in their torment.

But the story of Vlad the Impaler is far more complex than the gruesome tales suggest. A product of his turbulent times, he was both a cruel tyrant and a celebrated hero in Romania, revered as a protector of his people.

Delve into the life and times of this controversial figure and discover:

• Vlad's formative years and family history.
• His ascent to power and first reign.
• His brutal war against the Ottomans.
• Imprisonment, his third reign, and death.
• Vlad Dracula's lasting legacy.
• The link between Vlad the Impaler and the fictional Count Dracula.

Explore the dichotomy of Vlad the Impaler, the man, the myth, and the legend that inspired one of literature's most iconic villains.

☆ Genghis Khan ☆ Genghis Khan was the most unlikely of conquerors. An orphan of the Mongolian Steppes, his rise went all but unnoticed by all the great powers around him. His people had been divided and discounted by the Chinese dynasties to his south and completely dismissed by the encroaching Islamic empires to his west. Inside you will read about... ✓ Mystery of the Steppes ✓ When Warriors Are Made ✓ Rites of Passage ✓ A Battle Against Shamanic Destiny ✓ United They Stand ✓ Throwing Sand at an Empire ✓ Genghis Khan’s Crusade ✓ The Last Days of Genghis Khan Known as little more than bandits and nomads, Genghis Khan and his Mongolian horde would shake Kings and Emperors to their very core as they descended like locusts upon all four corners of the known world.

From a minor German noble to one of history's most powerful women, Catherine the Great's story is a sweeping saga of ambition, passion, and transformation. In this masterful biography, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert K. Massie resurrects the world of the Russian court and the flesh-and-blood woman who ruled it for thirty-four years.

At fourteen, the young princess arrived in Russia and quickly learned to navigate a treacherous court, enduring a loveless marriage and palace intrigue, all in pursuit of the throne. Massie delves into Catherine's complex relationships: her scheming mother, her impotent husband Peter, her tormented son Paul, and her passionate, powerful connection with Gregory Potemkin.

Drawing on personal letters and historical accounts, Massie reveals the brilliant, ruthless, and pragmatic woman who corresponded with Voltaire and Diderot, confronted domestic rebellion and foreign wars, and left an indelible mark on Russia's government, foreign policy, cultural development, and territorial expansion. Catherine the Great is a compelling portrait of a titan, a lover, a leader, and a survivor whose life continues to fascinate.

They were ordinary men bound together by extraordinary circumstances. In Band of Brothers, historian Stephen E. Ambrose tells the unforgettable story of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from their rigorous training in Georgia in 1942 to their triumphant capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest in 1945.

More than just a war story, this is a deeply personal account of the courage, camaraderie, and sacrifice of these remarkable soldiers. Drawing upon years of interviews with surviving members, Ambrose vividly recreates the brutal realities of combat, from the hedgerows of Normandy to the frozen forests of Bastogne. Experience the terror of their nighttime jumps, the desperate fighting in foxholes, and the enduring bonds forged in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Band of Brothers is a testament to the human spirit and a powerful tribute to the men who fought and died for freedom. It is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, a stark and moving reminder of what these ordinary men accomplished in the most extraordinary of times.