Napoleon: A Life

Hi everyone! If you’ve ever been fascinated by one of history’s most controversial and captivating figures, you need to hear about Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts. This isn’t just a biography—it’s an epic journey through the life of a man who reshaped the world. Stick around, and I’ll tell you why this book is an absolute masterpiece. I imported my own copy from the US, as it is not available in the UK and it was totally worth it! Andrew Roberts’ Napoleon: A Life is a monumental work. Drawing on a wealth of new research, including over 33,000 letters written by Napoleon himself, Roberts gives us an intimate and balanced portrait of the man behind the myth. Whether you see Napoleon as a visionary or a tyrant, this book will challenge your perspective. What makes this book stand out is how Roberts captures the complexity of Napoleon’s character. He wasn’t just a military genius—though, let’s be honest, his campaigns are astonishing. He was also a statesman, a reformer, and, surprisingly, a man capable of deep love and profound insecurity. Roberts doesn’t shy away from Napoleon’s darker side, but he also highlights his extraordinary achievements, like the Napoleonic Code, which still influences legal systems today. The book excels in bringing Napoleon’s world to life. From his rise as a young artillery officer during the French Revolution to his crowning as Emperor and eventual exile to St. Helena, every moment is vividly portrayed. Roberts has an incredible knack for putting you right in the action—whether it’s on the battlefield or in the halls of power. Here’s one of my favorite excerpts: [read a short, impactful passage - perhaps describing the Battle of Austerlitz or Napoleon’s exile on Elba]. Isn’t that incredible? The detail and emotion in Roberts’ writing are second to none. One thing I really appreciated about this book is its pacing. Even though it’s over 800 pages long, it never feels overwhelming. Roberts weaves together military strategy, personal anecdotes, and political intrigue in a way that keeps you turning the pages. It’s like reading a novel, but every word is grounded in meticulous research. For those of you who love military history, the battle descriptions are breathtaking. Roberts explains the strategy and tactics in a way that’s easy to follow, even if you’re not a history buff. And for those more interested in Napoleon’s personal life, the book delves deeply into his relationships—with his first wife Josephine, his family, and his loyal marshals. What’s fascinating is how Roberts also humanizes Napoleon. In his exile on St. Helena, we see a reflective and often lonely man who grapples with the legacy he left behind. It’s a poignant end to an extraordinary life. Now, is this book for everyone? If you’re intimidated by long biographies, it might seem daunting at first. But trust me, Roberts’ storytelling will draw you in. It’s perfect for history lovers, military enthusiasts, or anyone curious about one of the most transformative figures in history. So, if you’re ready to immerse yourself in the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts is the book for you. It’s insightful, engaging, and, above all, unforgettable.

A well-referenced, detailed and very thorough account of the entirety of Napoleon's life. Each chapter stands alone as it's own account, meaning this book could be read out of order if a read wants to pick and choose which bits they read.

Excellent work on Napoleon ... very well researched ... a must for any Napoleonic enthusiast ...

History writing at its very best. What I loved about the book was the historical detail and the fact Mr Roberts had been to so many of the places that mattered in Napoleon's life.

Excellent

This book is a Masterpiece full of brilliant detail into Napoleons life it’s changed my view completely of Napoleon he did a lot for France introducing several institutions that are still flourishing today.For me this is the definitive book on Napoleon.

Not only does this book cover the biography of a very complex man, but it examines the times in full and sensual detail, bringing out his contradictions alongside his accomplishments. I was utterly riveted on every single page, with the possible exception of some of the battlefield descriptions. I would recommend this as one of the best bios I have read in the past 10 years. Napoleon always maintained that he was lucky. This is amply proven by the start of his career. As a Corsican of Italian origin, he grew up around a preeminent Corsican nationalist. His father was a minor aristocrat and functionary, easily switching his allegiance to France when recognized the opportunities it would offer to his brilliant son. To enter a military academy on the continent, Napoleon began to learn French at the age of 10; he quickly mastered it, though always spoke with a heavy accent. In his first command, the French Revolution swept away most of the competition for rank, allowing him to advance with an extraordinary rapidity that would have been impossible under the Ancien Régime. Though he was dangerously associated with Robespierre, he fell out of favor just prior to his downfall. Freed from prison, he immediately proved himself a brilliant commander in the fight against the anti-revolutionary coalition of great powers. Before the age of 30, he was a general and soon thereafter took supreme power in a coup to oust the inefficient Thermidorian Reaction. The French were ready for an authoritarian commander in chief. Once he proved himself invincible on the battlefield, his power became absolute though dependent on continual victories, which would later prove untenable. One of the most fascinating aspects, which the book covers in less detail than I would have liked, is Napoleon's passion for Enlightenment ideals. He was instrumental not only in sweeping away many of the feudal institutions he encountered, but he consistently strove to advance scientific culture. Of course, a lot of this proved hypocritical: he promoted democratic institutions while installing his family as a new kingly dynasty in virtually all conquered territories, even though they proved inept in every single case. Many of his cultural acquisitions were simple war booty, even if he brought Denon and any number of scientists along with him to such places as Egypt, discovering among many things the Rosetta Stone. The personality - as Romantic-Era genius - is also dissected throughout the entire book. Most extraordinary was his appetite for knowledge, which was one of his key advantages on the battlefield and led to a number of maxims on modern war at the moment that technology decisively shifted in favor of artillery over cavalry. A man of unsurpassed energy, he slept only a few hours per night, making up for some of it in brief catnaps throughout the day. He was too busy to be much of a lover - 3 minutes was what he was prepared to devote to lovemaking, which many of his mistresses and even his wife Josephine openly disdained. In terms of military strategy, his most important contribution was autonomous armies that could converge on larger objectives at the decisive moment. While coordination was not always perfect, the initiative that competent commanders could take under Napoleon's general direction proved to be his greatest invention. I was unaware of this and the book covers it in perfect detail, never over the top with the long battlefield descriptions that make so many academic histories a bore. Napoleon's downfall and pathetic revival - a combination of hubris, failing to follow his own maxims, and bad luck - are also presented in great detail as are his final years of exile on Saint Helena. I found this less fun, but the author never excuses Napoleon's shortcomings, even as he was clearly rooting for him even though he's a Brit. This is really a great reading experience. It is a seminal period, with Napoleon at its center, and sets the standard to up-to-date bios on the man.

A real page turner & great introduction to the life & times of Napoleon Bonaparte. Very definite account, thoroughly researched & referenced. Although Andrew Roberts may be biased towards Napoleon, controversial & unsettling events during the period are dealt with in a balanced approach. Ultimately, a fair & balanced account of a very unique period of human history. Chapters are set-pieces, almost stand alone segments, for a reader who may want to specialise in a specific area they are a great starting point. For the general reader & specialist, a masterly & epic account of Europe's greatest tactician since Julius Caesar.

I was loaned this book in Abidjan and mentioned it to a relative in France which is why I bought it. It contains many facts about Napoleon that I was not aware of, all the more interesting that some of his life was spent around where we have a home. Napoleon is a bit of anachronism. Amazing that he made it as far as he did without getting fired. And yet, a genius whose influence is still felt in many countries around the world today.

Muy bien escrito, te atrapa en la lectura desde el inicio. Muy interesante para los que saben disfrutar de la historia y de personajes que han marcado historia! Muy recomendable

In this massive biography, Andrew Roberts has produced an epic review of Napoleon Bonaparte. He focuses on Napoleon the man rather than the myth. He succeeds at presenting a mostly-balanced account of his life, showing us a human being capable of inspiring immense respect and awe even 200 years after his feats. But we also see the failures of mind and body, with evidence aplenty of Napoleon’s more repulsive qualities. Overall, Roberts sees Napoleon’s contribution to history in a positive light, and this is evident throughout the book. But we also clearly see the common cliché regarding the corruptive influence power has on the mind. Even Napoleon's remarkable mind was susceptible to these influences. Roberts’s work is unique in that his is among the first biographies to leverage recently published primary documents that provide new windows into Napoleon and his character. This allows fresh glimpses of the man both at work and at play. What takes shape is a human being, not a God-like myth or statue with a rigid character. Napoleon, like most of us, changed throughout his life. He adhered to (or was influenced by) competing values that frequently fought one another for dominance within his mind. Who he was at 25 was very different than who he was at 40, and again at 50. The value of Roberts’s work is that it reveals the folly of casting an historical character like Napoleon in one specific light. Was he an idealistic revolutionary who believed in a society free from the prejudice and injustice of the old world? Was he a tyrannical despot who imprisoned his enemies and used war to advance his own personal interests? Casting him into molds like this is what we typically seem to do, but it simplifies what Roberts’s clearly shows is a story of far more complexity and contradiction. What this means is that Napoleon is too complex of a subject to summarize in a single paragraph. But a few sentences will give you an idea of the view of Napoleon through Roberts’s research. Napoleon was an enlightened agnostic with a love of knowledge and learning and a belief in their power to do good for all humankind. He was an intellectual of the highest order and was just as at home in a library as he was on a battlefield (in fact, he frequently traveled with his personal library). He adhered to enlightenment ideals blossoming during his youth that stressed liberty and merit as opposed to aristocracy and privilege. He was also a militarist, and it imbued him with discipline and courage. His capacity for knowledge, memory, and quick-thinking was truly legendary, and examples abound of his incredible memory even as late as his exile on Elba. He can relatively easily be associated with egomania and megalomania, and yet—for most of his life—he showed a capacity for self-reflection and self-criticism uncharacteristic of such a personality disorder. He displayed genuine concern for people under his charge. His staff members, as well as members of the army, are frequently quoted describing his hard work ethic but also his playful and caring attitude toward them. He was, in many ways, advanced for his time regarding social issues. He favored full equality for Jews and Protestants (indeed, all religions) and leveraged their talents. He was tolerant of homosexuality in an age where it was generally not tolerated: his veritable vice-ruler for much of his reign was Cambacérès, who was gay. But Napoleon’s faults are also laid bare in Roberts’s narrative. Throughout his life, he generally showed a lack of great integrity and a willingness to break rules to suit his own purposes. He clearly had a view of women that was not progressive, and did much to undermine the freedoms women gained during the Revolution. He naturally was an anxious man, and I believe that “impatience” is probably the character trait that persisted most saliently through every phase of his life. He lacked an understanding of economics, and this, more than any other mistake, was the root of his downfall (the infamous Continental System). He was not a bloodthirsty person in any sense, and his rule was very rarely characterized by repression based on terror. But he was directly responsible for needless executions on at least three occasions throughout his life, and humanity came second to victory when his army was on campaign. As caring as he could be with staff members and soldiers, he often completely lacked emotional intelligence when it came to his own family members (particularly his siblings). Here we see some of Roberts’s most vehement criticisms. Napoleon’s use of his siblings as rulers of client states defies beliefs that he long held (and fought for) regarding meritocracy, and also ignored the sheer lack of talent possessed by some of these family members. These kinds of ideological clashes, modeled here by Napoleon’s belief in meritocracy but pervasive practice of nepotism, illustrate what I like to call the “Napoleonic Paradox” or “Napoleonic Contradiction.” One cannot read Roberts’s work and not see the ironies presented in Napoleon’s life. There are numerous examples where beliefs and practices of one period of his life simply contradict those of other periods (or even the same period). This is not, I believe, traceable to any kind of inherent character flaw in Napoleon. Rather, it is the natural and (relatively) slow metamorphosis in a belief system over the life of a man—visible in many other famous statesmen reviewed in such a way. Roberts’s work gives us the chance to see these changes take shape. Overall, I believe it is fair to say that Napoleon’s idealistic and modest qualities began to give way to more megalomaniacal qualities after his victory at Austerlitz (1805) and especially after the Treaty of Tilsit (1807). It was here that he reached a level of power unlike any achieved by any other European for centuries. During the years of his zenith (1810-1812) and his subsequent downfall (1812-1814), we see a Napoleon generally unchecked by the modesty and reason more characteristic of his early years in power, and instead see a man corrupted by his awesome authority. But throughout all of his life, we see this war of ideals and practices vying for dominance within him. Napoleon himself does not seem to have been overtly conscious of many of these contradictions, or this war of ideas taking place in his subconscious. As far as Roberts’s writing style, the narrative is chronological, which makes sense for a biography and is easy to follow. Roberts does not spend much time analyzing the myriad evidence and relaying an argument to the reader. His goal, after all, is to use evidence to show Napoleon the man, providing us a deep-dish look at his successes and failures—the roundness and depth of a man. He does not have an overarching thesis he is using the evidence to prove. Some readers will love this, as it allows for the reader to form their own conclusions. Others may be frustrated that we rarely can catch our breath and read, “what does it all mean?” This isn’t to say that Roberts does not offer opinions from time to time. He defends Napoleon in many of his most controversial moments (for example, the Cadoudal-Pichegru conspiracy and the execution of the Duc d’Enghien). He also specifically identifies Napoleon’s exaggerations or outright lies, and does not shy away from criticizing his decisions (Roberts believes Napoleon only has himself to blame for the disaster in Russia in 1812 and his final defeat at Waterloo in 1815, among others). If you like to read about battles, oddly enough this “biography” provides a great deal of detail. There is plenty in the narrative regarding most of the battles Napoleon took part in, usually with detail on troop movements and the units involved. Lovers of military history will likely eat this up—others may find it tedious. The first group will likely be as disappointed as I was in the maps available—but this is a criticism I make of just about every military history book I review. Napoleon was a complex man. He lusted for greatness and was the epicenter of conflict for more than a decade. But we also see a man with good intentions, compassion, and an oft-doting father and husband. It is these stories of tenderness, combined with ones of ruthlessness, that make Roberts’s biography ultimately so effective. We are able to see Napoleon, not as an historical caricature, but as a man possessed of both awesome virtues and crippling faults. Napoleon's greatness and contribution to history is thoroughly revealed. So too are his foibles and failures. It is a story that often leaves you equal parts repulsed, impressed, and sympathetic. I can think of no possible better outcome for a biography.

My interest in reading this book was primarily concerned with gaining an insight into Napoleon’s military campaigns and with Napoleon as a military leader. However, I soon realized that in addition to being a highly talented battlefield commander - he remained undefeated in 53 of the 60 battles he fought- he was also a capable statesman, reformer, administrator and a patron of the arts. In an age where Feudalism and Serfdom were still prevalent in many European states, Napoleon was an ‘enlightened’ absolutist - creator of the Code Napoléon - who fostered meritocracy, secularism, religious tolerance, and equality before the law. Napoleon’s ambition aptly complemented by his leadership style, ability to inspire men and brilliance on the battlefield made him master of Europe. However, he was not without his vices and could be regarded as the quintessential warmonger, responsible of bringing war and destruction upon Europe for many years. His decline began with his failed invasion of Russia. Also, his enemies learnt from him and applied his methods against him, while he himself began to ignore his own highly successful military maxims. He was finally defeated when much of Europe allied against him and brought an end to his regime in 1815. As the narrative begins with the French revolution in the backdrop, a little prior reading on the French revolution would be helpful in better understanding the initial chapters. Sizable space has been devoted to Napoleon’s campaigns – Marengo, Austerlitz, Jena, Waterloo - and these have been well described by the author at the ‘Operational level’; a level of warfare, the creation of which is credited to Napoleon. However, in the present century it is difficult to visualize how Divisions, Demi Brigades and Line regiments under Napoleon’s famous Marshals - Murat, Davout, Soult, Ney, Lannes, Masséna, Oudinot etc. - were exactly fighting at the tactical level. Thus, the possession of a companion book on Infantry & Cavalry tactics of the Napoleonic wars would greatly aid in better visualizing the various battlefields. I intend to procure such a companion and re-read this book, also as I recently realized that I was in possession of ‘Dictionary of the Napoleonic War’ by David G. Chandler – currently sitting idle in my library- a book if noticed earlier would have made the reading of this volume more enjoyable and educative. Overall, Andrew Roberts’s cradle to grave biography of Napoleon- with Napoleon’s recently published thirty three thousand surviving letters as a source material - is exhaustive in its contents and provides a good account of Napoleon’s professional and personal life, his work, his achievements and his failings. Whether he was an enlightened despot or a quintessential warmongers is to be decided by the readers. Nevertheless, the book is highly recommended for anyone interested in Napoleon.

元はイタリア領のコルシカ(後にフランス領)に生まれ、砲兵士官を経てフランス皇帝にまで上りつめ数奇の運命を辿った稀代の英傑の生涯をナポレオン研究の第一人者Andrew Robertsがまとめた一巻完結の伝記。 著者はナポレオンに関する同時代の側近や後世の歴史家が書いた毀誉褒貶を含む数々の文献やナポレオンの著作や33,000通余りにも及ぶ手紙などを精読し、なおかつ、流刑地のエルバ島やセントヘレナ島などの史跡や激戦地だったロシアやオーストリアの古戦場、それらの地の公文書館を訪れて見聞を広めるなどして収集した膨大な知識をもとに生い立ちからセントヘレナで病没するまでを描き切っています。 この本によって、虚飾を剝ぎ取った等身大のナポレオンの実像を知ることができ、さらにはフランス革命やその後の統治体制の変遷、当時のヨーロッパの文化や階級制度、地政学などについて博物学的知識を習得できるのも大きな魅力です。 多くの場合、偉人や英雄は本人の資質だけで勝ち得たものではなく、背景に歴史上の大変革や大事件などの舞台装置が大きく作用している。不出世の英雄と崇められるナポレオンだが、一介の下士官で権力の中枢に結び付く有力なコネも財力もない野心家のナポレオンにとってフランス革命は、立身上のまたとないチャンスだったという意味で「フランス革命の申し子」と言っても過言ではないと思う。 ロベスピエール率いるジャコバン派の恐怖政治によりルイ１６世とマリーアントワネット妃が断頭台で処刑されると恐怖に駆られた貴族達は挙って国外に亡命する。同時に貴族の子弟たちが多数を占めるフランス軍の高級将校も身の危険を感じて国外に亡命し、結果として将官級ポストががら空きとなり、ジャコバン派寄りのナポレオンは棚ぼた式の僥倖で若干２４歳の若さで旅団将軍(general)に任命される。 その後砲兵司令官となり、王政復古を狙う反乱軍の鎮圧を経てとんとん拍子に地位を高めイタリア遠征軍司令官、さらにエジプト遠征軍司令官としての武勲によりフランス国民の熱狂的支持を得ます。 フランス革命という歴史上の大事件がなければ、貴族士官が主要ポストを占めナポレオンは無名の下級将校でキャリアを終えていたかもしれない。 ナポレオンは弁舌が巧みで兵士の士気を鼓舞することに長けており、戦場でしばしば檄を飛ばして激戦をものにした。曰く「勝敗を左右するのは、兵士の士気が４分の3で残りの４分の1が兵器などの物理的装備」。当時の戦闘形態は白兵戦だったので、多少の誇張はあるものの肯ける。 波乱万丈の風雲児の生涯ですが、史実に基づいた等身大の実像に迫る本なので淡々とした文章でまとめ上げられています。戦争に明け暮れる生涯だったことからこの本の大部分が戦争(軍略、同盟、外交交渉等を含む)や戦場や戦闘シーンで占められており、大作であることに加え戦闘や疫病や餓死などで夥しい数の将兵や戦禍に曝された町や村の住民が命を落とし死屍累々の野ざらしとなる様に心が痛み読み疲れします。 英雄かはたまた独裁者かの線引きは難しいけれど、領土をめぐる争いが絶えなかった時代には、有無を言わさず国民を徴兵で狩り集め戦場に送り込む絶対的権力が必要だった。今日でもカリスマ経営者は合議制を嫌う。 我々は歴史上の偉人や英雄を今日的な社会規範や倫理観を尺度にして評価しがちですが、それらの人物が生きた歴史的背景の下で成し遂げた偉業を評価すべきものなのです。 革命に限らず体制の崩壊や大転換の際には内乱や周辺諸国の武力干渉を招き戦争となるのは歴史の必然。 エンタメではなく歴史の教訓を得るための本だと思うのですが、良書なので一人でも読者を増やしたいという思いが募り長々と書きました。 随所にフランス語が出没するので第二外国語履修程度のフランス語の素養があれば理解が深まります。