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Napoleon’s 1812 invasion of Russia was a disastrous saga of brutal battles, blistering heat, and bitter cold that ultimately shattered his empire. From reports of cannibalism to walls built out of corpses, this was Napoleon’s nightmare.

Well, his nickname says it all: He was Edward the Black Prince, not Edward the Black King. But despite that spoiler, Edward endures as one of the most (in)famous royal commanders in European history, gaining a record of violent conquests and romantic scandals without ever actually sitting on the throne.

John Henry “Doc” Holliday was the dentist-turned-outlaw who gambled and gunned his way across the Wild West. But there was one enemy he couldn’t outrun.

The real historical Louis XV makes most mad kings seem downright saintlike in comparison. This deranged monarch has become infamous for his scandalous affairs and for driving France to the brink of ruin. In 1757, a mentally deranged man tried to assassinate him, but was unsuccessful. The bloody punishment returned to the assassin was so severe and disturbing that many historians to this day agree it was overkill.

Bobby Allison was a famous car racer from the early 60s through the late 80s—until a series of accidents brought a career wrought with controversy to an end. After his passing in November 2024, we figure it’s a good time to take a retrospective look at the not-so-mundane life of this NASCAR legend.

Lots of historical figures are complicated, but they don’t get much more complicated than Franz Joseph I of Austria. A staunch monarch in an era when kings were going out of style, Franz Joseph made himself many enemies. As if that wasn’t already a ton to handle, his family life was complex, and marred by tragedy. Brilliant, stubborn, and kind in equal measure, it’s hard to say whether Franz Joseph was a good guy. Judge for yourself.

Erik the Red spent most of his life getting into trouble. It wasn’t always intentional, but he wasn’t very good at conflict resolution—he often took things a little too far. After eventually becoming banished from his home, Erik set sail for the open ocean with no particular route planned, and stumbled upon something that would change his future forever.

The weight of Napoleon III's name hung over him for his entire life. Convinced he was heir to his uncle Napoleon Bonaparte's empire, Napoleon III plotted and schemed from exile for decades—until his moment finally came. However, "The New Napoleon" had more flaws than we could count. His countless affairs, unhealthy habits, and questionable judgment all eventually ensured this upstart emperor faced a horrible fate in the end.

Most people don’t give two licks about the problems of the wealthy one percent, and with valid reason. After all, what’s to complain about when you can afford whatever your heart desires? But things aren’t always what they seem. And when it comes to the life of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, the truth glitters much less than gold.

Sweet-faced and with a golden heart to match, there’s a reason the beautiful Astrid of Sweden was the beloved Queen of the Belgians—until her utterly tragic end took the royal far too soon. From her fairy tale beginnings to the nightmare of her final hours, Astrid truly was like a long-lost “Snow Princess" from a storybook.

In another lifetime, “Little” Edie Beale might have been as glamorous as her cousin, Jackie Kennedy. But fate wasn’t so kind to her—it was downright cruel.

Historians describe Richard the Lionheart as “a bad son, a bad husband, and a bad king, but a gallant and splendid soldier”. The reality, however, is a little more complicated.