The Influence of Monarchs by Frederick Adams Woods audiobook. Genre: history In The Influence of Monarchs, physician and early social scientist Frederick Adams Woods sets out to test a bold claim: that the personal qualities of rulers can measurably shape the fortunes of nations. Writing in 1913, Woods proposes a 'new science of history' he calls historiometry, blending biography, genealogy, and comparative historical narrative to look for patterns rather than isolated anecdotes. He surveys the rise and decline of fourteen European states and places their turning points alongside the reigns of kings and queens, asking whether periods of national strength align with monarchs marked by unusual intelligence, energy, and force of will. Drawing on large family networks among royal and noble houses, Woods also weighs heredity against circumstance, treating dynastic succession as a natural experiment in leadership. Part political history, part philosophical argument, and part early quantitative study, the book invites listeners to consider how much history is driven by institutions and social movements - and how much by the character of the individual at the top. The result is a provocative, method-driven tour through European monarchy and the causes of national change. Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 00 (00:08:02) Chapter 01 (00:34:52) Chapter 02 (01:18:43) Chapter 03 (02:14:59) Chapter 04 (02:38:45) Chapter 05 (02:46:57) Chapter 06 (02:57:26) Chapter 07 (03:05:20) Chapter 08 (03:47:46) Chapter 09 (04:05:43) Chapter 10 (04:36:44) Chapter 11 (05:00:53) Chapter 12 (05:19:57) Chapter 13 (05:53:02) Chapter 14 (06:10:19) Chapter 15 (06:27:52) Chapter 16 (07:10:45) Chapter 17 (07:55:47) Chapter 18 (08:59:42) Chapter 19 (09:47:51) Chapter 20 (10:58:54) Chapter 21 (12:10:49) Chapter 22 (12:38:57) Chapter 23 (12:45:11) Chapter 24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices