Dracula: Prince of Many Faces is the story of Vlad II Tepes, AKA Vlad the Impaler, AKA Dracula (= son of Dracul ('dragon' or 'devil')). He was a 'sometime' prince of Wallachia (a region in modern Romania)- he reigned three separate times during his life (1431-1476). His land was on the edge of Christian Europe, and as he shared borders with Hungary, Transylvania, and Ottoman-held lands in Balkans, he became adept at political machinations and catering to both sides- Christian and Muslim- to keep his country autonomous. In fact, he spent six years of his life (aged 11-17) under Ottoman custody- his father was forced into the arrangement to keep the peace. Once Vlad II came of age, he ruled with an iron fist, demonstrating remarkable cruelty as he killed as many as 100,000 people by impaling them (hence his first nickname). His cruelty helped repel the Ottomans from his lands when they invaded, but ultimately led to his downfall- he was deposed and lived for ten years under house arrest in the Hungarian King's court. After dying shortly after his third stint on the throne, his head was displayed in Constantinople.
This book was okay. The authors know their stuff but could work on delivery. They don't convey information in a straightforward or compelling way; they'll disrupt the narrative to move forward and backward through time with little warning or reason, muddying things unnecessarily. Some areas are glossed over with no explanation. And some of their conjectures- raising the level of local folklore to 'historical' status at times- seemed unwise. The historical Dracula was a fascinating figure, and this appears to be the highest-regarded book about him, but there are flaws here.
Rating: B-
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