Gods among men

JANE DRAYCOTT applauds an ambitious journey through the global history of emperors, from the most ancient civilisations to the 20th-century demise of world-spanning realms

- JANE DRAYCOTT

Palace performance Members of the Chinese court celebrate spring during the Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). Dominic Lieven's book sets the lives and achievements of emperors in the context of their families and advisors

In the Shadow of the Gods: The Emperor in World History by Dominic Lieven Allen Lane, 528 pages, £35

In this exploration of imperial figures, global history meets the "great man" (and even the occasional" "great woman") theory of leadership for a lively and at times surprisingly personal romp through the past 3,000 years of Eurasian history.

Lieven focuses on a carefully curated selection of empires and the emperors who led them, making comparisons between the different examples. He also draws analogies with modern institutions, even going so far as to highlight relevant contemporary individuals such as politicians and monarchs - New Zealand's prime minister Jacinda Ardern, for example, dealing with the demands of having a baby while holding power, as did the Habsburg ruler Maria Theresa. Using this approach, Lieven manages to make the subject accessible and relatable.