A biography of Jordan's King Hussein, examining some of the controversies and victories of his forty-six-year reign, looking at how he survived repeated assassination attempts, and discussing his four marriages and other aspects of his personal life.

Murder at the mosque --Growing up -- Shallow roots -- Arabs and Jews -- Not quite war -- Dealing with politicians -- Dealing with Nasser -- First wife -- Challenge from the left -- Climax in 1958 -- A new stage -- Second and third wives -- Dealing with the PLO -- On the way to war -- Disaster -- Civil war -- Assassination of a friend -- War again -- What kind of peace? -- Camp David's consequences -- Fourth wife, extended family -- A deal with Arafat -- Wasted efforts -- War in the Gulf -- Peace at last -- Democracy and survival -- Taming the Islamists -- Guns and butter -- The end of an era.