What do Oman, Nigeria and Tonga have in common? They all have monarchies. No matter where, royalty always has certain characteristics - a distance from the common people (in Tonga the older people still throw themselves to the ground as the king passes); flamboyant ceremonials, a household of courtiers coronations and so on. The book has its more serious side in the examination of processes of government and the difference between absolute and democratic monarchies, it also an entertaining, witty and amusing travel book.