The fifteenth century Romanian Prince Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, is one of the most fascinating personalities of medieval history. Already during his own lifetime, his true story became obscured by a veil of myths. As a result, he has been portrayed both as a bloody tyrant — who degenerated down throughout the centuries into the fictional vampire of the same name created by Bram Stoker at the end of the nineteenth century — and as a national and Christian hero who bravely fought to defend his native land and all of Europe against the invading Turkish infidels. Even in more recent historiography, the true history of Dracula has been obscured by Communist and nationalist historiography.

Discover the story behind the legend of Dracula in Vlad the Impaler: The Man Behind Dracula's Myth. This comprehensive book delves into the life of Vlad III of Wallachia, the brutal 15th-century ruler whose reign of terror inspired the infamous vampire lore. Learn about the historical figure, Vlad the Impaler, his rise to power, his methods of psychological warfare through impalement, and his fierce defense against the Ottoman Empire. Uncover how his ruthless tactics laid the foundation for Bram Stoker’s Dracula and explore the evolution of Vlad from a bloodthirsty prince to a Gothic horror icon. Perfect for history buffs, vampire enthusiasts, and those intrigued by the intersection of history, myth, and folklore. This book offers a captivating blend of fact, fiction, and the lasting cultural impact of one of history’s most terrifying figures. Vlad the Impaler: The Man Behind Dracula’s Myth is a must-read for those looking to separate the truth from the supernatural legend. Available now for fans of historical biographies and Gothic tales alike.

“Vlad from Dracula’s Castle” is a story inspired from a real life of a man, born in Dracula’s Castle, in Transylvania, Romania. He begun his sexual experience at 11 year of age, having in his life a lot of love relations, much more than a usual man. Although he had all these women as his lovers, he was not in love with all of them: he loved just actress Amaliya, a beautiful black woman Lilly, and finally a woman Olga. He suffered a terrible accident with his motorcycle, and Olga took care of him. Thinking about his life and his love relations with so many women, he got confused in his mind, and became a monk in a monastery, to expiate his sins, but in half a year, as soon as the rest of the monks found out that he is born in Dracula’s Castle, he was cast out from the monastery. Finally, he returned to his previous civil life, and got married on Olga, whom he helped to get rid of narcotics.

Four billion years in the palm of your hand, Relics: A History of the World Told in 133 Objects is the story of our planet as you’ve never seen it before. The Mini Museum is a collection of treasures gathered from across space and time shared by tens of thousands of people in more than 120 countries. Each item in the collection is a story connected to a childhood dream of sharing all the wonders the universe has to offer while bringing all of us closer together. In this book, the Mini Museum team shares the stories of real objects that have shaped our very existence across billions of years of history. Beginning with the birth of our solar system and the very building blocks of life, you’ll explore our dynamic planet, from the constant shifting of continents to dramatic and violent upheavals, which have changed the course of all life again and again. You'll visit mighty civilizations with cultures spanning millennia, as well as modern symbols of creativity and innovation, and the march of humanity as we reach toward the stars. Every item is photographed and presented in detail. There are also wild tales of adventure as the crew travels the world and prepares one of the most complex collections ever assembled.

This two-volume reference provides university and high school students—and the general public—with a wealth of information on one of the most important empires the world has ever known. Arranged in topical sections, this two-volume encyclopedia will help students and general readers alike delve into the fascinating story of an empire that continues to influence the world despite having been dissolved almost 100 years ago. Detailed entries describe the people, careers, and major events that played a central role in the history of the Ottoman Empire, covering both internal developments in Ottoman society and the empire's relationship with the powerful forces that surrounded it. Readers and researchers will find information pertaining to archaeology, geography, art history, ethnology, sociology, economics, religion, philosophy, mysticism, science and medicine, international relations, and numerous other areas of study. Many of the entries are enriched with material from Turkish and Persian primary sources written by courtiers, authors, and historians who were present at the time of major military campaigns or other important events in Ottoman history. These and other annotated primary documents will give students the opportunity to analyze events and will promote critical thinking skills. The language used throughout is accessible and based on the assumption that the reader is not familiar with the long, rich, and complex history of the Ottoman state.

Some castles were raised to be the tallest and largest, while others were designed to embody the personalities of their rulers. They were used as royal residences, strategic fortifications, and sheer symbols of wealth. Today, such castles aren’t merely relics of a bygone era. They bring a unique flavour and charisma to the landscapes and communities around them. Particularly in Europe, you’ll find that a castle is often the centrepiece of the Old Town. Beautiful castles also invoke our curiosity, making us ponder what life must have been like for those who amassed such extraordinary wealth and influence. Similar to how people keep up with the rich and famous today, people share an affinity for the kings, queens, and lords who once lived high on the hog in the world’s ultimate estates. Castles are like a window into a fairy-tale land from once upon a time. While most magnificent castles are in Europe, there are plenty of others sprawled around the globe. 1 Prologue: Built by kings and queens for kings and queens of years gone by to protect and rule their realms, castles had not only to be able to withstand attack but project power and wealth for all to see. As such, sturdy keeps and imposing walls were erected alongside marvellous palaces, full of ornate and elaborate chambers, halls, and throne rooms. For centuries, castles have been included with mysteries, tales of hauntings, folklore and fairy tales of Kings and Queens. Large stone-built structures of stately homes with huge moats surrounding them conjure up images of life during medieval times. Some, if not most, have seen their fair share of damage from enemy attacks and weather and have since been restored. These castles still stand today and attract a high number of tourists annually. In addition to the astounding architecture on show, these castles were often built at strategic and spectacular settings at the mouths of valleys. Add in the weight of history, and these architectural marvels set amongst breath- taking scenery make for some of the most beautiful castles in the world.

Jeffrey Dahmer committing his first murder with a fear of being left alone, then went on luring young boys and keeping souvenirs of their skulls. Ted Bundy who appeared to be a generous and charming young man with a brilliant future started with a petty crime and worked his way up to the murder of young women. John Wayne Gacy was a pillar of the community, organizing themed block parties and entertaining as Pogo the Clown, but his early transgressions began to take on more and more sinister forms. Serial Killers and Psychopaths provides a concise yet detailed look at some of the most dangerous individuals who have ever lived. Authors Charlotte Greig and John Marlowe present a carefully chosen cross-section of history's most infamous criminals, whose fascinating life stories are viewed with an unflinching gaze, making for a chilling but engrossing read.

This engrossing book tells the story of the Florescu family, from its feudal blood ties, to the notorious 15th century figure Vlad Tepes (Count Dracula), right up to present day, touching on such diverse personalities as the Kennedys, Bill Clinton, and Michael Jackson. In the tradition of Alex Haley’s Roots, Dracula’s Bloodline relates a multi-generational saga through the prism of one family’s narrative, from medieval Eastern Europe to the post-Communist era. The book provides an inside look at Romania’s bloody and turbulent history—a mostly untold narrative that embraces the cruel Ottoman invasions, vying boyars seeking to change the political order at home, and the toppling of the Ceausescu regime. The story of each century is told through the eyes of one Florescu (or more) who had a unique perch from which to view his or her contemporary society. Florescu and Cazacu drew on research that had mostly been kept in family hands. To track the Florescu footprint down through the centuries since the 1400s, they used many sources: the Brasov archives in Transylvania, select letters, unpublished diaries, and extensive family documents that have been scattered from Europe to the United States. This fully indexed book offers many photographs from family archives, as well as a glossary of terms and titles, and a full genealogy showing the Florescu’s family links to Vlad Tepes.

Make no myth-take-this book is indispensable. The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Mythology explores the gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, monsters and angels of the myths from every corner of the globe. Additionally, it explores the parallels between every culture and the striking similarities in mythic figures and the structure, action, wording, and result of the stories themselves. * Covers Egyptian, Celtic, Teutonic, Norse, Japanese, Mexican, Native American, and other myths * Features information on The Hero's Journey-the cycle of myth according to Jung, Campbell, and others * Appendixes include a glossary of terms and both a general and a subject Index

An otherworldly examination of the unknown that will keep fright fans reading all night. from any strange experience that can't be defined by science to psychic phenomena to monsters and weird creatures, 'The Complete Idiot's Guide® to the Paranormal', focuses on the most interesting and bone-chilling aspects of the Paranormal and the Supernatural, including: - Ghosts and Spirits - Angels, demons and spellcasters - Unexplained phenomena