In this detailed but accessible biography by Andrew Roberts, we get what is arguably the defining biography of Napoleon for our generation. It covers the life of this giant of history, showcasing his monumental achievements and their impact on history, but also his flaws and mistakes.
Although generally a positive portrait, Roberts does not shy away from criticisms of Napoleon's conduct, such as the Jaffa massacre or the murder of the Duke d'Enghien. Nor does it hide Napoleon's flaws as a person, such as his temper and his tendency to meddle in the love lives of his family.
Mostly though, the biography celebrates Napoleon's talents, achievements, & personality. One really gets a good idea of Napoleon's charm and what he might have been like in person. It also showcases his incredible capacity for work and searing intellect. His achievements speak for themselves, but I personally liked the details of his non-military achievements as much as his famous victories, and the book spends considerable pages highlighting his civil achievements. The code Napoleon, which remains one of the most influential law texts today, is a great example of his lasting legacy. (The book also deals with his diplomatic and economic failures such as the continental system).
As for Napoleon's campaigns, Roberts does a fine job describing the political situation before the battle, the marches and maneuvers, as well as the flow of the actual battle. I found this part accessible and easily understood, with detailed maps marking the units helping to paint a fine picture of Napoleon's famous victories and defeats. It also gives good reasoning on why Napoleon won and why he lost. Mostly Napoleon's defeats were instances where he doesn't follow his own military maxims. Overall Roberts does a great job illustrating Napoleon's campaigns for the layman and amateur military historian, but for those that want a really detailed analysis of his battles, they should also read "The Campaigns of Napoleon" by David Chandler, the defining classic on the military side of Napoleon's career.
I highly recommend this book for those that want to read the definitive biography on Napoleon. This is the first biography that incorporates many personal letters Napoleon wrote that wasn't published until recently, so it really does give a more detailed look at his personality. Yes it is highly positive portrait, but I wouldn't call it a hagiography either. I found it fairly balanced overall.
If there are any criticisms, it would be that the chapter on the Waterloo campaign was a bit shorter than I expected, but it gets to the core issues. I would have also liked a longer analysis on Napoleon's impact and influence on our politics and institutions after his death, although these are mostly woven into the chapters where his individual policies are written about. Personally though I would have liked a chapter at the end summarizing what this giant of history's lasting historical legacies were. Regardless I give this book 5 stars, I don't think you can go wrong if you want to know about Napoleon's life and times.
Does Napoleon deserved to be called the great? Or was he a blood thirst tyrant? We have to look at him through the lens of the times he was in. Was Napoleon more of a dictator than any other of the reining monarchs in Europe or the world at the 18/19th century? Many of his laws were quite liberal by the standards of the day including his treatment of the Jews, especially compared to other European countries like England.
Was he especially blood thirsty? Well most of the Napoleonic wars were declared against him by successive coalitions so again, is he any worse than the others? In fact one of his greatest mistakes in following the Russians deep into Russia was due to the desire to have a pitch battle as soon as possible so the war can be shortened and a political settlement reached. Yes he was overly ambitious in attempting to spread French influence at the expense of other European powers, resulting in war. However that was par of the course in the age of Empires.
Luckily for us times have changed since. If any lessons can be drawn by the story of Napoleon, it was that political mistakes can not be compensated by battlefield victories. Napoleon was no doubt a genius, however his ambitions and personality got the better of him, and as a result he made a series of unsustainable peace treaties at the expense of other powers which would guarantee animosity. His desperate last campaigns against overwhelming enemy numbers were a direct result of this mistake. Our current political leaders will do well to remember it.
* it's also worth getting the audiobook. Narration was great and it's really convenient to listen to while you are on the train or car.
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Popular Highlights in this book
The ideas that underpin our modern world—meritocracy, equality before the law, property rights, religious toleration, modern secular education, sound finances and so on—were championed, consolidated, codified and geographically extended by Napoleon.Highlighted by 1,668 Kindle readers- Napoleon taught ordinary people that they could make history, and convinced his followers they were taking part in an adventure, a pageant, an experiment, an epic whose splendour would draw the attention of posterity for centuries to come.Highlighted by 1,586 Kindle readers
- Since the campaign had begun a year earlier, Napoleon had crossed the Apennines and the Alps, defeated a Sardinian army and no fewer than six Austrian armies, and killed, wounded or captured 120,000 Austrian soldiers. All this he had done before his twenty-eighth birthday.Highlighted by 1,205 Kindle readers
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RIDLEY SCOTT SHOULD HAVE READ THIS BOOK
The story line of Ridley Scott's movie was so blase and weak - please use your money if you really want to know what makes Napoleon tick - and Josephine tick - what compelled them to be who they are and what were the greatest fears that chased them - and read this book.The French Revolution is the evil - and Napoleon is trying to pull France out of the abyss, while saving his own neck as well - but he loves France - and please note -- Josephine was so close to death before she met Napoleon, she had been locked in a catacomb like cellar in Paris (it exists, and you can see it, beneath a church in Paris, tours at 2 pm each day oui!) and the blood of martyrs, like the nuns of Compiegne (illustration) were still on the walls. Each day she thought she'd be next. The survival instincts of Josephine must have been off the charts - she was a Patrician - and Napoleon was military, both ripe for being accused by The Ministry of Peace (that was a name of the group that cut your head off, you can't make this up). Anyway, a good read. I love Ridley by the way....some movies just don't work out. He will be back.
Top reviews from other countries
Marcio
A melhor bibliografia sobre Napoleão que já li
Reviewed in Brazil on March 26, 2024ochiBan
Captivating book on a controversial historical fixed Star
Reviewed in Germany on November 19, 2023Sebastian Manterfield
Engaging and detailed, highly recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2022