"In It Ended Badly, New York Observer columnist Jennifer Wright guides you through thirteen of the worst breakups of notable figures in history" from Emperor Nero to Oskar Kokoschka and Norman Mailer. "-- "A history of heartbreak-replete with beheadings, uprisings, creepy sex dolls, and celebrity gossip-and its disastrously bad consequences throughout time,"--Amazon.com. From ancient Rome to medieval England to 1950s Hollywood, Wright guides you through the worst of the worst in historically bad breakups. She educates, entertains-- and really puts your own bad breakup conduct into perspective. For anyone who's ever loved and lost and maybe sent one too many ill-considered late-night emails to their ex, just remember-- no matter how badly you've behaved, no one is as bad as Henry VIII. Provided by publisher.

If you have been replaced by a surprising choice, read about Nero and Poppaea -- If you are accomplished and independent and fierce, read about Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II -- If your family didn't like your ex and thought you could do better, read about Lucrezia Borgia and Giovanni Sforza -- If you have ever made the same mistake twice, read about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard -- If you have started snickering at happy couples on the street, read about Anna Ivanovna -- If you believe in ghosts, read about Timothy Dexter -- If you have just sent your ex a very intense emotional e-mail, read about Caroline Lamb and Lord Byron -- If there were body image issues, read about John Ruskin and Effie Gray -- If it was just a sad affair, read about Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas -- If you were dumped, read about Edith Wharton and Morton Fullerton -- If you are struggling to find anyone as good as your ex, read about Oskar Kokoschka and Alma Mahler -- If you deserve an apology, read about Norman Mailer and Adele Morales Mailer -- If you want to believe it will all work out for the best in the end, read about Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher and Elizabeth Taylor..