In the Shadow of the Gods

Unique, captivating and dazzling global history ... Despite its astonishing range and the complexity of its subject, In the Shadow of the Gods is full of enticing human detail ... a sparkling history infused with entertaining reflections. -- H Kumarasingham * Literary Review * An impressive feat of synthesis, written with the author's customary flair and eye for detail ... with its engaging style, its undogmatic tone and the wealth of coverage, it will undoubtedly attract many readers. ... stimulating, informative and enjoyable. -- Krishan Kumar * Times Literary Supplement * Dynamic, original and convincing ... exceptionally stimulating. -- Philip Mansel * The Spectator * Fascinating ... I read the book in a state of baffled wonder that such an extraordinary system could have dominated huge tracts of the world for most of recorded history ... Lieven's book was obviously finished before the Russian invasion, but if you want to know what it is all about, In the Shadow of the Gods is not a bad place to start. -- Ferdinand Mount * Prospect * A new work by Dominic Lieven is always a treat... It's not only superb and masterly in its analysis but strikingly relevant on power and empire now. -- Simon Sebag Montefiore Dominic Lieven brings to his latest work a striking, informed empathy for the dilemmas of mighty sovereigns ... Mr Lieven offers especially vivid portraits of some great empresses ... The era of crowned despots who personify the divine may well be over, but the age of self-conscious imperial calculus is not. * The Economist * Sweeping ... A consistently engaging comparison-contrast look at the mechanics of empire. * Kirkus * An erudite, globe-spanning study ... Lieven's sharp wit and vast knowledge impress. This eloquent and entertaining chronicle casts world history in a new light. * Publishers Weekly *