Rebels, Pretenders & Imposters
Throughout history, there have been those who have pretended to be other than what they are. If you didn’t know this before reading this work, you will be left in no doubt afterwards. The authors’ basic thesis is that not all those who made claims to thrones did so falsely or with malicious intent. From there, Cheesman and Williams outline various imposters, rebels, and pretenders, beginning in antiquity and ending in the 20th century. The narrative is both thematic and chronological.
Though at its core an interesting read, this book was in many ways a tough slog due to the sometimes convoluted writing style. And while the text is referenced, I found the lack of primary sources to be a problem, especially as the book seems more aimed at the academic rather than the lay reader. If primary sources were used, it’s not immediately evident, as the bibliography does not distinguish between the various references works consulted. On the positive side, I found many of the stories quite engrossing and informative. The global approach was quite refreshing, as so much history is very Eurocentric. The illustrations complement the text and are a welcome addition.
I recommend this book more for those who don’t mind wading through some rather dense prose and who are interested in the topic than for the general reader.
