U.S. News & World Report-The Great Conquerors-Collector's Edition-January 3, 2006-Untold Tales of the Great Conquerors.

Few historical characters are as fascinating as the heroes and villains who were the conquerors. Alexander the Great - Charismatic hero or self-indulgent butcher? His empire stretched from the Balkans to India. Julius Caesar - A brilliant general and strategist who was guided by raw ambition, his name became a concept. Attila the Hun - In many cultures, the “Scourge of God” remains a model of heroism and courage. Charlemagne - The “Father of Europe," he tried to impose education, law and Christianity on the Continent. The Vikings - Why didn’t these seafaring adventurers stay in America? Perhaps they never intended to. William the Conqueror - Always an agent of change, he won the Engiish crown at Hastings and greatly altered Britain. Genghis Khan - Barbarian or Renaissance man? He probably has about 16 million descendants living today. Hernando Cortés - By outmaneuvering and defeating the Aztecs, he founded the mestizo nation that is Mexico. Mehmet II - His powerful cannon conquered Constantinople and changed the political map forever. Napoleon Bonaparte - He was a welter of paradoxes, a military genius, an outsider who is still glorified in France. Adolf Hitler - No one can explain the twisted psyche of the 20th century’s ultimate symbol of evil. Joseph Stalin - He brutally crushed the spirit of his own people while conquering half of Europe. United States, empire builder? Americans don’t view themselves as conquerors, but that’s not exactly accurate.