http://www.pinggu.org/bbs/b53i289262.html
I highly recommended this book, which is written by the most diligent economist Daron Acemoglu. Basically, this book is a summary of traditional study and debate into monarchy and liberation, or rather, human political history. But it is so different from those political books that are tedious and boring, full with dragon, by establishing a mathmatic framework of those unsorted political theories. some political researchers think low of Daron's work, putting this book as a trivial mix of their political conclusion and math, while I believe his methodology is really enlightening and succinct. A large database and empirical study add credits to Daron's argument and his fabulous ability in math manipulation, is another focal point. Good luck with you, LZ, you may need some background of game theory, calculus and econometircs, but the essence of this book really deserves your efforts!