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A fairly broad definition of madness has been taken as the basis for this book. There are examples of clinical madness, legal insanity, and temporary derangement, but for the most part the characters are studies in over-dedication to an ideal or to a political objective. Some have drastically altered the course of history by their acts, and some have merely changed the flow of the times. Each character has left his peculiar imprint on the history of mankind.

The book is divided into three parts: Despots; Assassins; and Hangmen, Henchmen and Mystics. So many rulers could have qualified for the first category that it was decided to limit the selection to the most outstanding of the past five centuries. As for assassins, there was no dearth of candidates, but the author did feel it important to treat all the assassins of American Presidents. Turner and Mishima were presented as evidence that madness is not the exclusive province of the white race. And Charlotte Corday was included in order to demonstrate that madness is not peculiar to the male sex.

Madmen of History is history, not fiction, although now and then, liberty has been, taken to dramatize a character or an event. What better way to become acquainted with history than through biography?

I wish to express my appreciation to my friend and colleague, Professor Lothar Kahn, for his many suggestions and his special help with the chapter on Robespierre. For reading and criticizing the chapter on Nat Turner, I am indebted to Mr. Thomas A. Champ, history instructor at Trinity College. To my wife goes a big vote of thanks for her professional assistance in gathering sources and for her patience and interest in hearing and reacting to each chapter.

Donald D. Hook