From wicked dynasties in Ancient Rome through the families of drug lords and inbred families of the modern age to neighbours from Hell, this book is about murder, madness, lust, ruthless ambition, betrayal and intrigue. Filled with photos, this history features dysfunctional families of every stripe, from the Ptolemaic dynasty that terrorized Greek Egypt for ten generations and the Qing Dynasty of Ancient China who cultivated cruelty as an art form, through the Tudors, the Medicis and the Borgias on to the cannibal families of the New World - the Harpe Brothers of Kentucky, the Bloody Benders of Kansas and their near-neighbours the Stafflebacks - and beyond these cases to the vices and violence of the Mafia, and mob rule on London streets. Everyone strives to protect their own family, but what cruelties are concealed by these bonds of blood?