{"title":"Paul Kenyon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Kenyon\u003c\/strong\u003e is a distinguished British journalist and author renowned for his compelling works in the fields of history and military. With a career that spans several decades, Kenyon has earned a reputation for his in-depth research and captivating storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChildren of the Night\u003c\/em\u003e explores the gripping and often dark history of Romania, delving into its turbulent past under Nicolae Ceaușescu's regime. This book offers readers a profound understanding of the nation's struggles and the resilience of its people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDictatorland\u003c\/em\u003e takes readers on an eye-opening journey through the lives of some of Africa's most notorious dictators. Kenyon provides a detailed and vivid account of the impact that these leaders have had on their countries, blending historical facts with personal stories to create an engaging and informative read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you are a history enthusiast or a military aficionado, Paul Kenyon's books are an insightful addition to your collection. His works not only narrate historical events but also impart a deeper comprehension of the human experience behind those events.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"children-of-the-night","title":"Children of the Night","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eChildren of the Night\u003c\/i\u003e by Paul Kenyon is a compelling narrative that delves into the shadowy history of Romania, a nation poised precariously on the boundary between Eastern and Western Europe. This book provides a vivid, brilliant, darkly humorous, and at times horrifying account of some of the most peculiar dictators that Europe has ever witnessed. Through a meticulously crafted narrative, Kenyon reveals the hidden chapters of Romania's turbulent past and the intriguing characters that have shaped its destiny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRomania, known for its legendary figure Vlad Dracula and its citizens' pride in their ancient Roman heritage, has often preferred the mystique of an enigmatic outsider. However, within the folds of modern European history, it has also endured some of the most calamitous leaderships of the last century. Beginning with a relatively benign period under the rule of a dutiful King and his vivacious British-born Queen, the country's leadership soon spiralled into chaos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe interwar period saw a dramatic oscillation in Romania’s political landscape, populated by an array of bizarre and grotesque figures. Among them was the corrupt and mentally unbalanced King Carol, who prioritized personal indulgences over governance. Corneliu Codreanu led a fascist death cult, and vain General Ion Antonescu wielded power with little regard for the nation’s welfare. Following the upheavals of the Second World War, Romania fell into the grasp of a tiny communist party, which imposed severe repression, purges, and collectivisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1965, Nicolae Ceaușescu ascended to power, marking the beginning of the most bizarre dictatorship of all. His rule epitomised the extremities of totalitarianism, characterised by stringent control, grandiose delusions, and devastating policies that left an indelible mark on the country's history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eQuoted extensively, the work has garnered high praise from notable figures:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"A witty and page-turning narrative full of grotesque characters\"\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMisha Glenny\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Will leave you astonished, exhausted, and curious... An unapologetic page-turner\"\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eSpectator\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Essential reading for anyone interested in Romania past and present\"\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Simpson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"An engaging introduction to the rich history [of Romania]\"\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew Statesman\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eChildren of the Night\u003c\/i\u003e offers essential reading for those eager to understand Romania's shadowy history and its place in the broader context of European history. Through expert storytelling, Paul Kenyon introduces readers to the complexities and peculiarities of a nation that has long been shrouded in mystery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45706164273388,"sku":"9781789543162","price":45.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781789543162.jpg?v=1725884388"},{"product_id":"dictatorland","title":"Dictatorland","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003ci\u003eDictatorland\u003c\/i\u003e by Paul Kenyon takes readers on an extraordinary journey into the heart of Africa, unveiling the gripping and often horrifying stories behind some of its most infamous dictators. Meticulously researched and engagingly written, this book explores the complex dynamics of power, corruption, and complicity that have shaped the continent's modern history.\n\nFrom the gold-encrusted jungles of the Ivory Coast to the arid landscapes of Eritrea, Kenyon sheds light on the brutal regimes that have emerged and thrived amidst Western greed and exploitation. Readers will encounter the Ivory Coast's dictator who amassed staggering wealth from his nation's cocoa crop, channelling it into the construction of a 35-storey-high basilica, an extravagant monument nestled deep within the jungle. Then, there's the severe and unyielding Eritrean leader who has isolated his country in a continuous state of warfare, forcing every adult into endless conscription.\n\nIn Equatorial Guinea, Kenyon presents the chilling portrait of a paranoid leader inspired by Hitler, who instigated an unremitting reign of terror upon his people. Equally compelling is the account of Libya's eccentric army officer whose reign was marked by the creation of \u003ci\u003eThe Green Book\u003c\/i\u003e, a manifesto of political ideology, all while he resided in a tent guarded by a private harem of female soldiers, conducting state affairs with a blend of brutality and bizarre indulgence.\n\nBeneath these astonishing and bloodcurdling narratives lies a stark critique of Western influence. Kenyon masterfully connects the global demand for resources such as chocolate, oil, diamonds, and gold to the perpetuation of these regimes. Western corporations and governments, hungry for these precious commodities, have often turned a blind eye to the despotic behaviours of these leaders, allowing them to plunder national treasures, siphoning wealth into luxurious lifestyles overseas while their populace suffers in poverty.\n\nDescribed by the \u003ci\u003eDaily Express\u003c\/i\u003e as \"jaw-dropping,\" and lauded by the \u003ci\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/i\u003e as \"grimly fascinating,\" \u003ci\u003eDictatorland\u003c\/i\u003e is a powerful and timely exploration. The \u003ci\u003eIrish Times\u003c\/i\u003e praises it as \"humane, timely, accessible and well-researched,\" offering readers an unflinching view into the dark underbelly of global economics and political tyranny. This book is not only a vivid recount of historical brutality but a pointed commentary on the moral cost of economic interests, making it essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the interconnectedness of modern geopolitics and historical legacies.\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45706205724908,"sku":"9781784972141","price":25.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781784972141_5eb12ea1-4b5a-4b91-ae7e-e18d5eb9e23d.jpg?v=1733009453"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/paul-kenyon.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}