This illustrated and light-hearted volume tells the history of the tradition of pretence and rebellion through the remarkable stories of many individuals who have pictured themselves as kings, queens or presidents. Beginning with Greek and Roman pretenders, such as the Roman governor Posthumus who declared imself emperor in AD 260, the authors discuss the circumstances that have produced imposters and the means that they have used to cling to power or keep their hopes alive. More recent pretenders include usurper Henry IV, various Stuarts, a line that still produces `heirs' today, and numerous European claimants, including the famous case of Anna Anderson or Grand Duchess Anastasia.