Most accounts of Alvin York present a man who embodies his humble beginnings. The stories show him to be a simple mountain man who believed in faith, justice, and his country. As is often the case, the truth about the man is somewhere in the middle; he did believe in faith, justice, and his country, though that does not mean he didn’t have his flaws.
The Dionne quintuplets fascinated the public from the moment they were born. These identical sisters were such curiosities that they became victims of exploitation—and their story is unbelievably harrowing.
Few members of the French monarchy are as popular outside of France as Marie Antoinette. Queen during the volatile French Revolution, her story has the perfect blend of glamor and tragedy to capture the imagination of nations worldwide. From alleged affairs to escape plots, the last Queen of France led a fascinating life before the Revolution took her power—and her head.
Every family has a few skeletons in their closet, but Philip IV’s legendary kin had a graveyard’s worth. Though the "King of the Planet" outwardly appeared to be the perfect ruler, he couldn't outrun his demons and his disaster of a personal life. They not only destroyed his family, but also his nation and empire. Turns out, the Planet King was more like the Cursed Puppet King.
There was only one thing that Barbara Hutton truly wanted—a Prince to match her unbelievable fortune. However, she soon realized that being an eligible socialite was far more dangerous than she’d ever imagined. As fortune-hunting suitors seduced her into scandal and exploited her inheritance, Barbara fell deeper into depression and addiction. But that wasn’t the worst part.
“Mad” King Ludwig led a forbidden double life. He entertained a succession of gay lovers and spent millions on fairytale castles and lavish works of art. Living in his own enchanted dream world, the king failed to see the enemies at his back—and it led to one of the most twisted ends in history.
Of all the famous survivors of the Titanic, Dorothy Gibson is the least known—and the most scandalous.
Anyone who thinks money, power, or fame can solve any issue has clearly never heard of the Grimaldis and the web of drama the royal family of Monaco has woven over just the last century. Although many may see all the tragedy and poor choices that each family member has suffered as an example of how power corrupts, others may posit a different—more supernatural—cause.
From the very beginning, Daisy and Violet Hilton were doomed to a heartbreaking end. As conjoined twins, their rise to fame was synonymous with exploitation and prejudice. Poked, prodded, and called "freaks" by audiences everywhere, they grew up in a world void of love. But that's not the saddest part. Just when the tide began to turn, the Hilton twins faced their most disturbing chapter of all.
King George VI was the spare—not the heir. Quiet and struggling with a speech impediment, few thought he had king potential. But fate, as it often does, had other plans. When scandal rocked the monarchy, he was thrust into the role no one thought he could handle. What followed redefined the nation, and the man who led it.
Joan of Arc was a young girl who met her moment. From an unassuming peasant background, her religious visions led her directly to the court of a French monarch, and on to some of the most dramatic battles in history. But her untimely end was as abrupt and explosive as her rapid rise.
Prince William of Gloucester was the world's favorite royal. The tall, handsome, and daring prince seemed more like a movie star than a royal. Sadly, that only made his tragic end in front of 30,000 horrified onlookers all the more devastating. So, who really was the other Prince William? From his reckless streak to his doomed love story, let's find out.
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