Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation

"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

Grand Prize Short List. 2021 Eric Hoffer Award
1st Runner-Up, Legacy Nonfiction. 2021 Eric Hoffer Award
Finalist, 2021 Montaigne Medal
Winner, Current Events. 2019 Indie Book Awards
Finalist, Historical Non-Fiction. 2019 Indie Book Awards

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

We are the products of civilization.

What if, before the modern period, all civilization was true crime?

Despite our romantic traditions, monarchs were never wise, just, nor generous. The briefest review of history shows that, without exception, kings were the most vicious criminals who ever lived. They were serial killers who preyed upon nations.

And the only path for survival in the ancient world required unquestioningly obeying- and blindly believing- anything the king said.

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"...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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

"...a stark reminder of how fragile and vulnerable to exploitation our modern democratic societies are..."
-MathValues.org, Mathematical Association of America

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

"...Dr. Abraham is a true Renaissance man... this book is a must-read."
-Jim Engster, NPR affiliate WRKF

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

"...despite often romantic images, kings and conquerors were vicious criminals- and the fact that they were psychopaths, narcissists, and sadists became whitewashed, almost in a form of mass hypnosis."
-Joe Gandelman, journalist, and blogger at TheModerateVoice.com

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

Joseph N Abraham, MD is an emergency physician (Tulane '86), research biologist, and award-winning author.