First history of the real battles of Vlad the Impaler, detailing bloodthirsty tactics and campaigns According to Stoker novel, Dracula was a cultured man. In reality he was a Romanian warlord of the 15th century. He gained his name, Vlad the Impaler, because his favoured execution method was to run a spear through his victim's lower body, then stand them upright so the spear pierced the vital organs. This full history details his bloodthirsty military campaigns against the Turks and Bulgars. He pursued vicious guerrilla tactics, a scorched earth retreat and tortured his captives. He was finally assassinated by his former Turkish allies. AUTHOR: James Waterson is a graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and received his Master's Degree from the University of Dundee. He is the author of 'The Ismaili Assassins', 'The Knights Of Islam: Wars of the Mamluks', 'Sacred Swords' and 'Defending Heaven'. ? Analysis of the protagonists as mercenaries with family ties rather than national opposing blocks ? Key battle scenes from the 1371 Battle of Marica, 1289 Battle of Kosovo, 1296 Crusade of Nicopolis, 1444 Crusade of Varna and 1453 Battle of Constantinople ? Vlad's family history including his clash with his brother fighting with the Janissaries ? Lucid analysis of a complex, treacherous, bloody period 256 + 16pp mono, 16 b/w illustrations
