| Description |
368 pages : illustrations (black and white) ; 20 cm |
| Contents |
Introduction: The Power of Kingship -- Part One: A World Fit for Kings. The Far East: Celestial Empires ; Heirs of the Prophet: Monarchy in the Islamic world ; Satraps, Vassals and Satellites of Empire ; The European Cousinhood -- Part Two: Some Kings Depart. Europe's Monarchies and the First World War ; Europe: The Survivors ; The Successors to the Ottoman Empire: The New Monarchies of the Middle East ; The Far East between the Wars -- Part Three: A Further Thinning of the Ranks ; Monarchies and the Second World War ; Mixed Fortunes, 1952-1979 -- Part Four: Monarchies in the Contemporary World ; Anni Horribiles ; Europe's 'English Situation' ; The Middle and the Far East: Monarchy and religion ; The perils of celebrity ; Has monarchy a future |
| Summary |
"At the beginning of the twentieth century, monarchy was by far the most common form of government: emperors sat on the thrones of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Persia, China, Russia and the Ottoman Empire, while there were kings of Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, Romania, Greece, Korea and Cambodia. After he lost his throne in 1952, King Farouk of Egypt predicted that by the end of the century there would be only five kings: the kings of hearts, aces, clubs and spades, and the King of England. That prediction has not come true, for there remained monarchs across the globe. The number of monarchies has appreciably diminished, yet the idea continues to have allure. Here historian and academic A.W. Purdue explores the important role played by monarchies as agents of continuity, guarding and representing the national ethos, and brings the story up to date in a fully revised second edition, exploring the roles of celebrity and rivalry in monarchies worldwide"--Publisher's description |
| Notes |
Previously published in 2005 |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Subject |
Monarchy -- History -- 20th century
|
|
History, Modern -- 20th century
|
| Genre/Form |
History.
|
| ISBN |
9780750999328 paperback |
|
0750999322 paperback |
|
