Vlad Dracula: The Dragon Prince [Paperback]

Michael Augustyn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2004

Most of the vast audience attracted to the subject of Dracula know him only in his fictional, one-dimensional form: vampire! Yet the truth behind the historical character--voevode, warlord--of 15th C. Romania is at least as equally fascinating as any contrived account of his supernatural persona.

Vlad Dracula faithfully follows his life story as hostage, fugitive, prince, and prisoner. His principality of Wallachia was caught between two voracious predators: the kingdom of Hungary and the Ottoman empire. They tried to break Dracula with overwhelming force and terror. But Dracula turned their own tactics against them, and against criminals and factions in his own land, earning the name Tepes-The Impaler-in the process.

He was a strange mix of husband, father, soldier, statesman, and berserker. He annihilated 50,000 people--one-tenth of his own population. Cursed by his native Orthodox Christian Church, he indeed evolved into a legend. But even today he is Romania's Robin Hood.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Augustyn lives in Philadelphia with his wife and daughter. He is currently working on another novel. After taking a degree in History and Political Science, he spent seven years researching the life of Vlad Dracula.

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (December 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595332714
• ISBN-13: 978-0595332717
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #101,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Historical fiction done very well, October 7, 2005

By 

G. Ferrari (Downers Grove, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vlad Dracula: The Dragon Prince (Paperback)

The author did a very good job of taking the bare historic facts that are available regarding the life of Vlad "Dracula" of Wallachia, from sources both favorable and unfavorable, and turned them into an appealing novel which gives the reader a real sense of what the man must have been like. The reader gets a picture of who "Dracula" was and why he committed acts which have made him a legend to the people of modern Romania, and an infamous monster in the eyes of much of the globe. Having read accounts of the historic Vlad Tepes previously, I was surprised to find myself somewhat in awe of the man. In this novel we see "Dracula" in the context of his times and not just as some "monster" who committed atrocities against his enemies, as well as his own people. I found the book difficult to put down and read it cover to cover over the course of a few evenings. It truly gives one a much more balanced perspective on this infamous historical figure and the violent and dangerous times he lived through. I highly recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I guess I won't get included in the book's blurbs, November 6, 2007

By 

A. Woman (Greeneville, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vlad Dracula: The Dragon Prince (Paperback)

To be honest I was a bit worried when I first received the book. Usually books will have little complimentary blurbs in them from established reviewers and publishers, like the New York Times or something. "Vlad Dracula" seemed to include all these five-star ratings from right here off Amazon.com! I mean, honestly, anybody could be writing these 5 star reviews here, like the author's grand niece or his next door neighbor.

I breathed a sigh of relief once I started reading. It really is a good book. Well written, well paced. You come to care about Vlad Dracula, despite all those impalements. He was a man under extreme pressure from all around as well as within his country. Besides, it's not like the rulers of the other areas were squeaky clean examples. They were just as barbaric.

However, the ending of the book was totally, totally unnecessary. I do wish author Michael Augustyn hadn't gone the way he chose to go. I doubt he'll be reading this review, but if he did I would strongly urge him, if he has any more editions published, to change the ending or leave it out entirely. If you're thinking of reading this book, and I do recommend it, when you get to the section titled "Legend" I advise you to just stop right there. You'll be disappointed if you go on.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 9, 2007

By 

Rick M. Montes (New York) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vlad Dracula: The Dragon Prince (Paperback)

Vlad Dracula is a very misunderstood character. At a time when Islam was threatening all of Europe, Vlad, was one of a few who dared to stand up to the evil threat. Was he a tyrant or National hero? That will be decided by each individual who studies the facts. This historical novel is a good way for those who want to learn more about the real Dracula to begin.