Published in 1790, Maurice Benyovszky's posthumous memoir was an instant sensation. A tale of exploration and adventure beginning with his daring escape from a Siberian prison and ending with his coronation as King of Madagascar, it was translated into several languages and adapted for the theatre and opera. This book explores the veracity of this memoir and, more broadly, the challenges faced by the explorers of the age and the brutality of colonisation. The self-styled Hungarian Baron Maurice Auguste Aladar Benyovszky, Counsellor to the Duke of Saxony and Colonel in the service of the Queen of Hungary, was in fact only confirmed to have been an officer in a regiment of the Polish Confederation of Bar. While he did escape from Russian captors and subsequently travel to Japan, Formosa, China and Madagascar, many of his exploits were wildly exaggerated or simply invented. Andrew Drummond reveals an alternative picture of events by looking at statements from Benyovszky's travelling companions and sceptical officials as well as contemporary documents from the places he claimed to have visited, untangling the truth behind his stories and examining what these stories can nonetheless tell us about the era in which Benyovszky lived. Witty and engagingly written, this book is fascinating reading for anyone interested in eighteenth-century colonial history and the story of early European and Russian explorers.

Published in 1790, Maurice Benyovszky's posthumous memoir was an instant sensation. A tale of exploration and adventure beginning with his daring escape from a Siberian prison and ending with his coronation as King of Madagascar, it was translated into several languages and adapted for the theatre and opera. This book explores the veracity of this memoir and, more broadly, the challenges faced by the explorers of the age and the brutality of colonisation. The self-styled Hungarian Baron Maurice Auguste Aladar Benyovszky, Counsellor to the Duke of Saxony and Colonel in the service of the Queen of Hungary, was in fact only confirmed to have been an officer in a regiment of the Polish Confederation of Bar. While he did escape from Russian captors and subsequently travel to Japan, Formosa, China and Madagascar, many of his exploits were wildly exaggerated or simply invented. Andrew Drummond reveals an alternative picture of events by looking at statements from Benyovszky's travelling companions and sceptical officials as well as contemporary documents from the places he claimed to have visited, untangling the truth behind his stories and examining what these stories can nonetheless tell us about the era in which Benyovszky lived. Witty and engagingly written, this book is fascinating reading for anyone interested in eighteenth-century colonial history and the story of early European and Russian explorers.

In this brilliant work of historical excavation, Andrew Drummond charts the life and work of Thomas Müntzer, the man Martin Luther proclaimed a Ravening Wolf and a False Prophet. Despite his short life - he died on the executioner's block in 1525 at thirty-five - Müntzer sought to fundamentally upend German society. 'Omnia sunt communia', all things are to be held in common, proclaimed Thomas Müntzer at the head of the massed ranks of a peasant army in the year 1525. Ranged against him: the might of the princes of the German Nation. But how did Müntzer, the son of a coin-maker from central Germany, rise in just a few short years to become one of the most feared revolutionaries in early modern Europe, striking terror into the hearts of the religious and political establishment? Far from the bloodthirsty devil of legend, Drummond shows us Müntzer as a man, one of considerable learning and principle, deeply sympathetic to the misery of the peasantry and the poor. Seeking to save Müntzer from the condescension of history, Drummond guides us through the religious and political disputes of the Reformation, placing his life and thought in the context of those turbulent years. In doing so, we get a portrait of an often contradictory, but always radical figure, one who continues to inspire movements of the poor across the globe.

Welcome to New Kingdom, Egypt. Everyone knows about Tutankhamun and the golden hoard that he was buried with. Or do we really know anything about a boy ruler, who never exercised power? What about his father the Heretic Pharaoh, Akhenaten who is credited with founding the world's first monotheistic religion 3,500 years ago? Or his beautiful major wife Nefertiti, believed to be the most desirable woman in the ancient world? Not to mention their predecessors and somewhat shady successors. Join Marsh boy Nakht, as he is drawn into a world of intrigue, politics and murder which are far removed from his humble upbringing in the Nile Delta. And find out how death could be swiftly inflicted on even the highest in the New Kingdom. All that gold not withstanding... SOME COMMENTS MADE BY AMAZON READERS, ABOUT MY DEBUT NOVEL, "MURDER ON HADRIAN'S WALL" "5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant idea - A 'Morse-like' detective who is a Roman Centurion" Best $1 I have ever spent...William E. Smith, Canada "Great debut novel" This novel had believable characters and excellent period detail throughout. And it kept me guessing " whodunit" right up until the final chapter...Empress Caramel, UK. "Very Good Book" I loved the historical detail and would definitely read another book by this writer...Bigdave, UK. "Authenticity is Credibility" Vivid description, accuracy, and a strong sense of place...Stephen S, USA. "Can't wait for more" Kept me guessing to the end, well written and the period detail was good...Angela L, UK. "It is very clever to write a believable story set in a historical context so I enjoyed the book very much and was dying to discover the murderer." Kendall...USA. "Excellent period detail" I did not guess "who dunnit..".I shall look out for more from this author...Sue, UK.

Have you ever wanted to know the Latin word for "underwear"? Or have you ever wondered what life was like for a soldier stationed on Hadrian's Wall? Maybe you just want to read a deviously and complicated historical "whodunnit," as Centurion Versillius faces down the Cult of Mithras, his superiors, the civil administration, the townspeople and even his own men in the search for a vicious killer. Travel back to AD 350, to find a Roman Britain which had existed for centuries, but was going through a period of dramatic change. The ties that held the empire together were fraying, as Britannia, the most northerly part of the empire, was finding out. Not altogether the best time to have a particularly nasty murderer stalking the streets of your Romano-British town... SOME COMMENTS MADE BY AMAZON READERS: "5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant idea - A "Morse-like" detective who is a Roman Centurion" Best $1 I have ever spent...William E. Smith, Canada "Great debut novel" This novel had believable characters and excellent period detail throughout. And it kept me guessing " whodunit" right up until the final chapter...Empress Caramel, UK. "Very Good Book" I loved the historical detail and would definitely read another book by this writer...Bigdave, UK. "Authenticity is Credibility" Vivid description, accuracy, and a strong sense of place...Stephen S, USA. "Can't wait for more" Kept me guessing to the end, well written and the period detail was good...Angela L, UK. "It is very clever to write a believable story set in a historical context so I enjoyed the book very much and was dying to discover the murderer." Kendall, USA. "Excellent period detail" I did not guess "who dunnit..".I shall look out for more from this author...Sue, UK. "An entertaining tale" ...and a good murder story. I liked it very much. Andros. UK