Being a photographic tour, together with snarky text, on the living quarters of some noted twentieth-century despots. The photographs are fascinating, but the author isn't particularly humorous. More importantly, about half of the homes aren't at all tasteless, certainly not on the level our aspiring Don Rickles makes them out to be. ( )

It takes a certain kind of mindset to come up with the idea for a Coffee Table style book on interior design based on famous dictators from around the globe. Of course, it takes another kind of mindset to read it and find it nearly as enjoyable (and hilarious) as I did.

As an American, I believe I was particularly drawn in by the uniquely “British” writing style – picture the crew from Monty Python hosting a Martha Stewart segment and you’ll get the idea.

Including perennial favorites (Stalin, Mussolini, Hitler) along with some lesser fiends (Diaz, Mobutu, Bokassa), the slim volume offers photographic highlights of some of the more egregious and telling examples of Dictator Style (i.e., Marble, Gold, Old World Reproductions) along with a narrative of the history of the individuals and a review of their lifestyles. Admittedly, some of the photographic examples would not meet the quality standards of Architectural Digest, but considering some were unofficial snapshots or propaganda shots from more than 50 years ago, they still provide the insight you would expect from an “interior decorating book”.

But don’t stop at the pictures

I made that mistake when I first purchased the book – as a kind of joke to go along with a book my daughter was reading, How to Rule the World. Semi-interesting stuff, but I found myself feeling a little sheepish checking out the cribs of a bunch of baby killers. But then I read the text. The section on Saddam Hussein had me howling out loud with laughter and the mini-chapter on Manuel Noriega literally brought me to tears with utter hilarity (here are some random references from the single page entry: munchkins, polyester satin party dresses, Dolly Parton wig, cocaine). Do I have your attention yet?

At no point does the author attempt to minimize the atrocities exacted by these individuals or even justify their existence. All of his material is from published information and stock photos, and he is simply drawing connections that some may feel socially awkward to make. But it is worth pointing out that between the one-liners he drops on virtually every page, the author provides a significant amount of history – such that I learned quite a bit about those lesser despots which I probably should have known more about (Idi Amin, Francisco Franco, Tito).

Hardly an academic tome, and unlikely something you would actually leave sitting out on your coffee table, it’s still worth a look – just keep your tongue firmly in cheek and enjoy. ( )

A great concept badly executed. Dictators are notorious for their bad taste. With power and money comes a desire for pomp and splash that results in visual carnage. Before starting on his Cribs for Dictators, the author offers his pertinent ten rules for dictatorial interior design (1. Build big, 2. Think retro, 3. Think 19th century France, 4. Think hotel design, 5. Use gold, 6. Use gltzy glass, 7. Use heavy oil paintings, 8. Buy expensive brand names. 9. Use marble and 10. Display your own image; my re-translation.).

Among the entertaining short house tours we find nearly a full cast of Fascist and Communist dictators (Fidel is missing). With only Peron and Noriega (who has to make do with one image of an overloaded Christmas tree which in its American kitsch could well be found in the White House too), Latin America is decidedly underrepresented. What about Chile's Pinochet? This is the book's weak point. The book is completely biased against US enemies (thus, the absence of Fidel is a puzzle). US puppet dictators are given a pass with the exceptions of Marcos (the shoes use rather pathetic racks) and Saddam Hussein, both of which turned against their former master. The use of many photographs with mingling uniformed US soldiers destroys any chance of an aesthetic assessment. Perhaps, an eleventh rule needs to be added: Don't let US soldiers in combat dress onto the carpet.

I wish a better editor took another shot at such a project. In the mean time, any issue of Forbes will suffice. Most CEOs share the aesthetics of their more violent comrades. After all, they also spend an ungodly amount of time in hotels. ( )