What makes a country fall to a dictator? How to authoritarian leaders acquire their powers? Davis profiles five of the most notoriously ruthless dictators in history. The examines their personal lives and historical periods, and shows how these factors shaped the leaders they'd become. -- adapted from jacket

Democracy in flames --"Let Arms Yield to the Toga" -- "Believe, Obey, and Fight" -- The big lie — the story of Adolf Hitler -- Man of steel — the story of Joseph Stalin -- The long march — the story of Mao Zedong -- Stalin on the Tigris — the story of Saddam Hussein -- Never again? — a new generation of monsters.