National Geographic: Icons Of Power

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Their names stand out, even in the company of history's elite, for each of them left their own indelible imprint upon the world. They governed the greatest empires, kingdoms and nations of their time, and their power was often absolute. These remarkable sovereigns, rulers, and conquerors could - by a single act, decre, or whispered aside - better the lives of their people or condemn them to an existence plagued by war and deprivation. What made each one so special? How did they come to power? And once they assumed the mantle of leadership - wheter by birth, by fiat, or by deadly design - what did it feel like to rule? Includes the following: "Empress Of Ambition" - Catherine the Great's stunning rise to power was fuelled by cold-blooded murder, artful treachery and infamous sexual intrigue. Yet her legacy to Russia would be one of social enlightenment and economic progress. Relive the tumultuous era of a sprawling nation on the cusp of modernity, as the young Catherine reveals herself as an absolute master of 18th century statecraft, from the battlefields of the Crimea to the boudoirs of the Winter Palace. Brought to life with vivid dramatic recreations, it's the gripping chronicle of one remarkable woman's voracious drive for political survival, romantic conquest and military supremacy. "The Madness Of Henry VIII" - Handsome, athletic, and beloved by his subjects, the young King Henry the VIII had it all - then threw it all away in a reign poisoned by erotic obsession, willful cruelty and cold-blooded murder. Relive the splendor an decadence of the Tudor court as dramatic recreations and insights from leading experts reveal the stunning tale of the King's all-consuming passion for his Queen's young lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn. "Napoleon's Final Battle" - Napoleon Bonaparte's astonishing rise to power made him an absolute ruler unmatched since the days of the Roman Caesars.