In the original study "Sick Leaders in Power", David Owen examines the delicate relationship between politics and illness during the period 1901-2007, and specifically how a physical or mental illness, as well as its treatment, can push political leaders to irrational and reckless actions, affecting the decision-making process and the functioning of the state.

The author focuses particularly on those political leaders who, while not suffering from clinical diseases, exhibited the "hubris syndrome", that is, a distorted perception of reality, as well as excessive self-confidence and disregard for opposing views or any views other than their own.

A book that sheds light on the unknown aspects of well-known figures and events of the previous century, and at the same time an exciting read for those interested in history or medicine.