The Man in the Golden Mask

What were they really like – the heroes and villains, the saints and sinners, the winners and losers of the past? Though their deeds fill the history books, their personalities are often strangely ignored. Take Stalin. Historians have accepted too readily Trotsky’s description of him as ‘a grey blur’. Then Sebag Montefiore established the monster’s charm – and thus enhanced our understanding of his success. Similarly Louis XIV’s personality is indispensable if his achievements are to be understood. For instance, in explaining the Sun King’s domination of the army, Guy Rowlands emphasises his man-management: ‘without question a shrewd judge of motivation, he must surely qualify as one of history’s great practical, political psychologists’. Here his personality must have played a crucial part. Or take Louis’ domination of court society, a major political achievement, which depended on his ability to dominate and attract both men and women. How did he do it? Personality again, surely.