A review by inquiry_from_an_anti_library
Vlad the Impaler: Son of Dracul by Alan C. Baird

adventurous informative fast-paced

3.0

A story about a ruler of Wallachia. Vlad’s story is mired in transgressions. From seeing the betrayal of the Boyars against his father to common crimes. After gaining his power, any transgression was used as an excuse for the transgressor to be impaled. A slow and painful death in which the person impaled lived for a short time after being impaled. Vlad went far to trick people into minor transgressions for which they were impaled for. By not responding in a way that Vlad had wanted, an individual was likely to be impaled. The extreme measure fostered a society which had no crimes, but also fostered resentment. A cautionary tale of fear. That fear can be a powerful weapon, but cannot be the sole tool in leadership.