{"product_id":"five-thousand-years-of-monarchy-michael-arnheim-9781394154418","title":"Five Thousand Years of Monarchy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOffers a sweeping, entertaining journey through the real power structures of world history\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eFive Thousand Years of Monarchy\u003c\/i\u003e challenges everything you thought you knew about political history. With wit, clarity, and a deep command of historical detail, Michael Arnheim reframes five millennia of global governance through a strikingly original lens: the idea that every government, from ancient Sumer to modern China, is either a monarchy or an oligarchy--regardless of its name or apparent ideology. This provocative framework reveals insights into some of history's greatest puzzles and personalities, from the Roman emperors to Castro's Cuba, Augustus to Queen Victoria, and from Louis XVI's missed opportunity to the untold powers of King Philip II. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on lively anecdotes, surprising facts, and colorful historical vignettes, Arnheim brings the power struggles of the past vividly to life. \u003ci\u003eWhy was Imperial China more stable than any modern democracy? Could World War I have been avoided by more autocracy? And why are aristocracies more hostile to monarchs than revolutions ever were?\u003c\/i\u003e Engaging, opinionated, and highly readable, \u003ci\u003eFive Thousand Years of Monarchy\u003c\/i\u003e offers a powerful reminder that what really matters in politics isn't titles or constitutions--it's who holds the power, and how. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePresenting a bold and original reinterpretation of world history through the lens of power structure, Five Thousand Years of Monarchy: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eDistills all governments--ancient and modern--into just two essential types: monarchy or oligarchy\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eProvides a global scope, covering rulers and regimes from every major civilization \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReveals little-known historical facts, such as King Philip II of Spain's reign as King of England\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eOffers original, counterintuitive takes on major events such as the French Revolution and World War I\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExplores the surprising longevity and success of the Roman and Chinese empires \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChallenges conventional narratives and political assumptions with evidence-based analysis\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eWritten in an engaging, accessible, and often humorous style, \u003ci\u003eFive Thousand Years of Monarchy\u003c\/i\u003e is ideal for general readers with an interest in history, politics, or leadership, as well as students and instructors in History, Classics, and Political Science.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Michael Arnheim\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1394154410\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781394154418\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Wiley-Blackwell\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/23\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 480\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.80lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.91h x 6.91w x 1.21d\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael Arnheim","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48065534492927,"sku":"9781394154418","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_7992713b-d24c-4e5b-b07e-65b927696fde.jpg?v=1768675598","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/five-thousand-years-of-monarchy-michael-arnheim-9781394154418","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}