About the Book

The Emperor is a literary reportage published in 1978, describing the court of the last Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I, and the mechanisms of his power. The book was based on interviews Kapuściński conducted with former courtiers of the Ethiopian monarch.

Historical Background

Haile Selassie I ruled Ethiopia for more than 40 years (1930–1974). His reign ended with a revolution that overthrew the monarchy and established military junta rule.

Significance

The work is not only a portrait of a particular ruler and his court, but also a universal analysis of the mechanisms of despotic power. The book has been translated into many languages and gained international acclaim.

Polish Editions

See the list of Polish editions of The Emperor with ISBN numbers.

Quotes

“The most important thing is the man, His Imperial Majesty, and everything else can be bought and sold.”