WINNER OF 14 AWARDS.
4.7 rating on Amazon.
Also available from your local bookstore.
Below is a schedule of awards, public appearances, and book signings by Joseph N. Abraham, MD, for his book, Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths: From Alexander to Hitler to the Corporation.
To read an excerpt from the Prologue click here. To purchase a copy click here.
If you write reviews for a book blog or social media, please request a complimentary copy via bookscrounger [at] gmail.com.
Appearances & Media
November 14, 2024
Thomas H. Lillie, Capt, USAF (retired), Armed Forces & Society
“Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths describes and analyzes the atrocities that authoritarians commit on their way to acquiring and retaining power, and the role of followers who enable tyrants.”
October 5, 2024
‘A Stark Reminder’
The Pilot
“The reader of this book will have no difficulty making the leap from
historical figures to modern-day politicians…”
September 1, 2024
Michael Pearson, Evolution: The International Journal of Organic Evolution
“The reality is that those with power will continue to seek to enlist us to carry out their wills through the use of narratives, rewarding allies and punishing dissenters.”
July 11, 2024
Benjamin Cain, ‘Psychopathy is the Linchpin of Civilizations’
“Abraham posits that psychopaths have been disproportionately present
in the ranks of the unproductive (parasitic) elites that have led states…”
December, 2023
Choice Reviews (university libraries)
Top 75 Community College Titles: December 2023
November 7, 2023
Tim Bakken, US Military Academy, Genocide Studies & Prevention
“With optimism, [Abraham] traces the advances in human behavior within the
last century and reminds us to remain vigilant.”
July, 2023
Irish Granny Tarot Reviews KCP on YouTube:
Part I; Part II; Part III; Part IV;
Part V; Part VI; Part VII; Part VIII.
May, 2022
✯✯✯✯ (4/5 stars)
Portland Book Review
“In a time wherein we are simultaneously ignoring experts in their respective fields
and blindly following the decree of the proverbial “man in charge,”
this dive into history and us as a people is not only for knowledge’s sake.”
April 20, 2022
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars)
Author & Reviewer Rod Raglin
“Not a stretch to say this book changed my world view—
from pessimistic to apocalyptic.”
April 20, 2022
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars)
Manhattan Book Review
“So compelling are Abraham’s arguments that it’s not
an exaggeration to say [the book] changed my world view.”
March 21, 2022
✯✯✯✯ (4/4 Stars)
Online Book Club
March 7, 2022
Winner: World History
Independent Press Award
February 21, 2022
Finalist, Adult Nonfiction
The Wishing Shelf
February 2, 2022
Gold Medal
Non Fiction Authors Association
January 11, 2022
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) Emma Megan, Readers Favorite
“No other book accurately explains what actually separates the ancient and modern rulers from the rest of humanity… “
November 16, 2021
Finalist, Best New Non-Fiction
American Book Fest
October 26, 2021
Winner, World History
NYC Big Book Award
October 12, 2021
Tacking on the Styx
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “…a mini-masterpiece of discourse on the psychology of despotism.”
September 19, 2021
Robert Mighall, former editor, Penguin Classics
“Abraham commands a very fine style. Humane, incisive, rigorous in its scholarship.”
September 17, 2021
Honorable Mention, Nonfiction
Paris Book Festival
September 1, 2021
Bronze Medal, Historical Nonfiction
Readers Favorite Awards
August 23, 2021
Tranquil Reader
✯✯✯✯ (4/5 stars) “…there are definitely nasty people out there – ones that have no limit to greed, lust for power, and generally treating people like trash…“
July 23, 2021
Psychiatric Times
“This book is unique, delving deeply into the worst horrors and most brutal leaders in history... ”
July 21, 2021
Honorable Mention, Nonfiction
New York Book Festival
June 8, 2021
Tuesday Book Blog and Olga NM, Writer
✯✯✯✯ (4/5 stars) “Highly recommended, but be prepared to be challenged and shaken.”
June 6, 2021
Preacher of the Night
“…adulation is how you appease a malignant narcissist.”
May 23, 2021
Jennifer deBie, Rosie Amber
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “Childish fantasies that we hold into adulthood about good kings or noble conquerors are torn away and these historical figures are revealed as they were: murderers, sadists, and worse on a grand scale, a continental or even global scale.”
May 12, 2021
US Review of Books
“We speak such names as Alexander the Great and Caesar with awe and wonder, but we almost never think of the character traits that allowed them to ascend to great heights.”
May 10, 2021
1st Runner-Up, Legacy Nonfiction
Eric Hoffer Award.
May 3, 2021
Short-listed, Grand Prize
Eric Hoffer Award.
April 7, 2021
JeyranMain.com.
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “If you are into politics and history, then this book will be your bible.”
April 5, 2021
BookFever
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) ” …this is only my third [5-star rating] of the year… It was simply outstanding…”
March 2, 2021
Under Rated Reads.
5/5 Bookmarks “…a realistic look at how leaders and rulers brutally controlled us and how many of the same characteristics are displayed in the tyrants and corporations we have today.”
March 1, 2021
Finalist
Montaigne Medal
February 22, 2021
Publishers Weekly.
“…concise, compelling, and challenging exploration of how humanity became what it is.“
February 22, 2021
IndiesToday.
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “If you are passionate about living in a more humane world, you will be invigorated by [this] thought-provoking book”
Feb 21
, 2021
Honorable Mention, General Nonfiction
Hollywood Book Festival
February 4, 2021
Laura
✯✯✯✯ (4/5 stars) “…pulls back the romanticized curtain we have placed over the fairy-tale notion of kings and castles…“
February 2, 2021
Kirkus Reviews.
“…the book’s scientific analysis, which spans Darwin’s concept of evolution to cutting-edge psychology, is a welcome addition to historical conversations…”
March 15, 2021
Abbie Deville
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “…puts into words many thoughts I have personally had while researching many different historical topics. Why are some historical figures labeled kings and victors and others labeled criminals?”
March 10, 2021
Jonas Cuklerman
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “…if you want a vivid and unapologetic picture of history, this is the book.”
February 28, 2021
Sly Green
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “Just WOW.”
December 6, 2020
Joe Barnes
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “[a] mastery of detail and nuanced analysis… a worthy addition to our perennial debate over the origins of human evil.”
September 30, 2020
MathValues.org (Blog of the Mathematical Association of America).
“How did we come to accept that those in positions of power and authority can engage in acts of corruption or violence as a matter of course, and at the same time accept that for ‘ordinary’ citizens, these same acts are appropriately met with sanctions up to and including punishment by death?”
August 15, 2019
Steven Sabludowsy for BayouBuzz.com.
“[The book is] fascinating and frightening not just as an explanation to understanding the people who have transformed mankind, but what it portends for the future, which just might not be so kind.”
June 4, 2019
Robin Levin The Death of Carthage.
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “…this may be the most important book you will ever read.”
June 4, 2019
San Diego Jewish World
“The term ‘must-read’ has been so overused. But Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths is a must-read… a must-own… and, most of all, a must-ponder.“
June 3, 2019
Brianne Hendricks, The Vermilion
“As an emergency physician and an evolutionary biologist, Abraham has a unique look on the world and how it works… “
May 29, 2019
TheModerateVoice.com.
“[Abraham] convincingly makes (and documents) the case that despite often romantic images, kings and conquerors were vicious criminals — and the fact that they were psychopaths, narcissists, and sadists became whitewashed, almost in a form of mass hypnosis.”
May 15, 2019
New Generation Indie Book Awards.
Winner, Current Events/Social Change.
Finalist, Historical Non-Fiction.
“…why does society give power to despots and demagogues? If you liked Jon Ronson’s The Psychopath Test, you’ll want to read this book.”
March 24, 2019
Carol Beggy
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “This book is a must-read… I believe that this book will stand the test of time and scrutiny.”
Billboard for Kings, Conquerors, Psychopaths unveiled in Lafayette along Interstate 10, February 9, 2019,
February 7, 2019, Los Angeles Review of Books, ‘A Privileged Violence’.
“…reviews the historical precedent for accepting corruption and violence from our authorities. Why do we excuse an act, unforgivable if committed by an ordinary citizen, if executed or ordered by a leader?“
February 6, 2019, Interview with Dr. Pearson Cross on Bayou to Beltway, broadcast on KRVS, UL’s NPR-affiliated radio station.
“A conversation with Dr. Joe Abraham engages by linking disparate and (seemingly) unrelated events into a coherent whole that exposes new facets of interpretation and analysis. For those who want their minds expanded and blown: Dr. Abraham is the man.”
February 4, 2019, Return appearance on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, broadcast on WRKF, the Baton Rouge NPR affiliate. (First appearance December 27, 2081, below.)
“Dr. Abraham is a true Renaissance Man. He is one of the most articulate guests to appear on Talk Louisiana. He is as fluent with words as he was in the Emergency Room.”
Dr. Abraham speaks to the Sons of the American Revolution.
(Click for full-size image)
January 16, 2019, Featured Speaker, Sons of the American Revolution—Attakapas Chapter.
“Stimulating, interesting, challenging, engaging. I think Dr. Abraham woke up some minds.”
January 13, 2019, The Acadiana Advocate:
“Abraham traces the last 10,000 years, from the era of kings and conquerors to the modern world and its own ugly truths.”
January 12, 2019, Times-Picayune:
“In 10 chapters, Abraham traces the last 10,000 years, from the era of kings and conquerors to the modern world and its own ugly truths.”
January 10, 2019, The Acadiana Advocate: review & podcast with Jan Swift (vide infra).
“…provides insight into historical patterns of power and dominance at all levels of government, religion and corporate existence.”
December 27, 2018, WRKF, the NPR affiliate in Baton Rouge, on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster:
“Dr. Abraham provides unique and important insights for our world at large. This book is a must-read for any American concerned about the future of our society.”
December 12, 2018, Stephen Hennigan
✯✯✯✯✯ (5/5 stars) “…deftly follows the patterns of power and oppression through the course of history… powerfully moving in its timeliness and truth-telling.”
November 20, 2018, 106THREE Radio Lafayette; Z105.9; and Mustang 107.1 with Tanya Ardoin:
“This is a fresh research perspective of history. I found it very easy to read… I could just see what Dr. Abraham was talking about. I enjoyed it.”
October 25, 2018, Invited speaker, Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, US Naval Academy.
“Detailed, engaging, and provocative examination of our shared history.”
Dr. Marcus Hedahl.
Notice in the Dallas Morning News on the Interbang book signing September 23rd. (Click for larger image.)
September 20, 2018: Invited speaker, Department of Public Affairs, University of Texas-Arlington.
“An engaging and enjoyable presentation… Dr. Abraham’s book offers a new lens from which to see how so-called leaders move into positions of authority and power.”
Alejandro Rodriguez, Ph.D.
September 18, 2018: Book Launch, Marcello’s Restaurant
September 18, 2018: Interview, Après-Midi, KRVS / Radio Acadie (3:30 PM)
“I felt like I was reading something during the Crusades or a thousand years before, but I think that’s one thing over and over again you feel when you’re reading this book: you begin in far-away history, but you begin to realize that it comes so close to our present day.”
Judith Meriwether.
July 21, 2018: GPGC Reunion (video), McNeese State University
July 19, 2018: Discover Lafayette podcast with Jan Swift.
“…a fascinating interview of powerful conquerors throughout the past 10,000 years… a great insight into historical patterns of power and dominance at all levels of government, religion and corporate existence.”
Other Appearances
March 19, 2019, VIP Guest at conference organized by the World Mental Health Coalition, ‘The Dangerous State of the World and the Need for Fit Leadership,’ National Press Club, Washington DC.
March 29, 2019, Luncheon Speaker, Tulane University School of Medicine History of Medicine Society.
February 26, 2019, Featured Speaker ‘Designing Leaders‘ University of Louisiana College of Engineering select leadership training program.
February 14, 2019, Included in La Parole from the Acadian Museum.
January 8, 2019, Featured Speaker, Rotary Club of Lafayette North, Vermilionville Living Museum & Folklife Park.
November 28, 2018, Radio 103.7 The Game with Dave Schultz.
Schedule for the 2018 Bayou State Book Talks. (Click for full-sized image.)
November 13, 2018, Featured Speaker, Bayou State Book Talks.
October 18, 2018, UL Press interview.
October 14, 2018, Review in Louisiana Book News.
September 23, 2018, Book signing at Interabang Books, Dallas; Staff Pick.
September 22, 2018, Book signing at Half-Price Books, Fort Worth
To purchase a copy visit the Amazon. To borrow a book from a library, click here.
Picture of Dr. Abraham by Robin May Photography.