Temporarily out of stock
Welcome to a shadowy realm where the divide between the noble and the nefarious isn’t quite as clear as it seems. Where supposed saints appear suspiciously traitorous, and so-called scoundrels reveal unexpected glimmers of virtue. Prepare for sword fights, scandals and enough moral ambiguity to make Machiavelli blush – from the imperial court of eleventh-century Japan to the studios of twentieth-century Hollywood.
Along the way, Holland and Sandbrook debate questions like:
-Was Caligula an irredeemable monster or history’s favourite scandal magnet?
-Was Joan of Arc a saintly saviour or a dangerous heretic?
-Was Wojtek the bear a true Second World War hero or simply a cuddly mascot?
-Was Elizabeth I a true Virgin Queen or just brilliant at branding?
So polish your armour, don your villainous moustache and get ready to choose a side in the ultimate showdown between history’s greats and rogues…
ISBN: 9781037201509
Publication date: 25/08/2026
Price: $39.99
RRP: $39.99
Format: Paperback
Temporarily out of stock
Publishing status: Due August
Author: Goalhanger
Imprint: Bloomsbury
