From Publishers Weekly
This slim satirical volume purports to map the road to world (or at least great) power from childhood to the grave. Send-ups of everything abound, from pop psychology questionnaires such as "Have You Got What It Takes?" and lists of "Career Paths" (salesman being ideal, since it teaches how to lie with a straight face). After advising on how to seize power, by force or fraud, the tips then cover designing a national flag, managing money while gaining as little of it as possible honestly and arranging your love life so that it enhances your respectability. (This means that your wives and mistresses never meet.) There is even a guide for retirement, should one live so long. The historical snippets have much the same tone, although the portrayals of kids torturing animals to prepare for tyranny and the distinctly Third World flavor of the dictators may not strike everyone as funny. Others may more mildly object to bracketing Elizabeth I of England with Attila the Hun and the Bertelsmann conglomerate with the Mongols. The latter is an insider nod to de Guillaume's alter ego, unacknowledged in the text or on the jacket copy: when not aspiring to thrones, de Guillaume is called Andrew Wilkins, and serves as publisher of Australian Bookseller & Publisher. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Razor
"A comical dig at global politics."


The Salt Lake Tribune April, 2003
"How to handle all the wealth, sex, and paranoia that comes with absolute power."


Associated Press
"From Frederick the Great to Adolph Hitler . . . tips that help you decide if you really want this sort of career."


Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune
"Tips that can help you decide if you really want this sort of career."


Daily Sentinel
"Tongue only slightly in cheek."


The Middletown Journal
"Tongue only slightly in cheek . . . he looks to famous despots of history."


New York Daily News
"Has much advice to impart . . . pays homage to historical conquistadors . . . also provides dictator dating tips."


Book Description
Everyone wants to rule the world, but only a precious few have the skills to create an ironclad plan of attack. Simple, direct, and delightfully unprincipled, this guide to ruling the world contains tales of global power mongering from every age and endeavors to show dilettante dictators and tyrants-to-be just how it's done. Tips are provided on creating a personal flag, what type of puppet government to establish, how to squelch free speech, and, most important, how to handle enemies. Also included are humorous full-color illustrations, sidebars on admirable despots, and self-quizzes that allow readers to see if they have what it takes to conquer the world. This fun college graduation or father's day gift is perfect for those who have their hearts set on world domination.


About the Author
André de Guillaume attended the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in England, where he learned to march with authority, tell people what to do, and appreciate fine wines. His attempted coup in the Cashman Islands was foiled, but his dictatorship tendencies remain untarnished.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Everyone wants to rule the world, but only a precious few have the skills to create an ironclad plan of attack. Simple, direct, and delightfully unprincipled, this guide to ruling the world contains tales of global power mongering from every age and eavors to show dilettante dictators and tyrants-to-be just how it's done. Tips are provided on creating a personal flag, what type of puppet government to establish, how to squelch free speech, and, most important, how to handle enemies. Also included are humorous full-color illustrations, sidebars on admirable despots, and self-quizzes that allow readers to see if they have what it takes to conquer the world. This fun college graduation or father's day gift is perfect for those who have their hearts set on world domination.

Author Biography: André de Guillaume atted the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in England, where he learned to march with authority, tell people what to do, and appreciate fine wines. His attempted coup in the Cashman Islands was foiled, but his dictatorship tencies remain untarnished.

FROM THE CRITICS

Razor

A comical dig at global politics.

Publishers Weekly