Since the days of Caesar in Ancient Rome, dictators have taken power, usually at times of national crisis. When that crisis has passed, they seldom give up their rule easily. While some leaders win their people's hearts with charisma, others rely on censorship, secret police, and brutal repression. This insightful guide traces regimes including Napoleon, Utopian regimes in the Middle Ages, mid-twentieth-century dictators such as Adolf Hitler, and more recent rulers in the Americas. With period photographs, posters, speeches, and more, this volume makes an essential addition to any educational collection.