any novel about a autocrat/dictator/emperor

**warrior6** · September 11th, 2012, 01:56 PM

what I'm looking for is a novel about a dictator, or any kind of autocratic ruler. something that outlines his rise to power and how he dealt with those opposed to him. how he became powerful, how he staged a coup and wars/conquests etc.

the only books that have had this theme that i can think of is

fitzpatrick's war and I, Mengsk.

if you guys have any that you can recommend i would greatly appreciate it.

it could be near future, alternate history far future etc doesn't matter.

currently I'm looking into a series called the keepers. the first book supposedly chronicles the rise another german dictator named Geiseric. i haven't even gotten the book yet but its the only one in my list of choices so far

http://www.amazon.com/The-Keepers-Pa.../dp/0979691508

thank you

**Seli** · September 11th, 2012, 05:43 PM

Check the Folding Knife by K.J. Parker, that should be close.

**marshal atkins** · September 12th, 2012, 02:05 PM

Give "The Man who Used the Universe" by Alan Dean Foster a try.

Another older work would be "Bio of a Space Tyrant" by Anthony

**Chuffalump** · September 13th, 2012, 12:15 PM

David Gun's Deaths Head series and Chris Bunches Sten series.

Not really concentrating on the autocratic ruler but......

**Hitmouse** · September 15th, 2012, 04:42 AM

I, Claudius, and Claudius the God by Robert Graves

The best imho, are the films of The Godfather and Godfather II

**Pub** · September 17th, 2012, 06:46 AM

Dune????????

**ian_sales** · September 17th, 2012, 07:07 AM

God Emperor of Dune, certainly.

**Aldroud** · September 17th, 2012, 10:44 AM

Bio of a Space Tyrant. Very interesting story of a boy who rises to dictatorial powers as a man, then steps aside before death. A bit tedious at times, and some of the allegories (metaphors?) used were like being hit in the head, but overall an enjoyable series.

**DurzoBlint** · September 18th, 2012, 07:35 AM

On the humor side Emperor Mollusk and the Sinister Brain was awesome.

**ebleyes** · September 24th, 2012, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Aldroud

Bio of a Space Tyrant. Very interesting story of a boy who rises to dictatorial powers as a man, then steps aside before death. A bit tedious at times, and some of the allegories (metaphors?) used were like being hit in the head, but overall an enjoyable series.

I second that, The first novel in the series made me tear up.

**Hobbit** · September 24th, 2012, 04:07 PM

The Chung Kuo series by David Wingrove. Just finished reading the third in the series, The Middle Kingdom.

A future world run by the Chinese/Han. Not so much the tale of one dictator but a series of families - the Seven - and their global rule.

Predates Game of Thrones, but was reminded of it, albeit in an SF setting. 1990's editions referred to it as a cross between Blade Runner and Shogun, which actually isn't bad.

Can't recommend these highly enough.

Mark

**DDCOrange** · September 26th, 2012, 11:59 PM

Well let's see, you can start with SM Stirling. A lot of his books feature this type of character. They exist in his Nantucket Series and there are at least two particularly badass tyrants spread over his Emberverse series (which is still in progress!). He also showcases a slightly more sympathetic autocrat in the novel Conquistador.
You can also try Harry Turtledove's alternate history books that follow an America where the South wins its independence in the Civil War and follows that outcome through eighty years of subsequent history. The chief bad guy dictator here is Jake Featherstone. I should be able to scare up some some with a little thought.