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Napoleon the Great

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( 24,932 ratings, 1,849 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Napoleon the Great by Andrew Roberts is a comprehensive biography that explores the life and legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte. It delves into his military strategies, political reforms, and the impact he had on the world, offering a detailed portrait of one of history's most influential figures.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have an interest in detailed biographies, European history, or the life of one of history's most fascinating figures. It offers a compelling narrative and fresh insights into Napoleon's strategies, personality, and legacy.

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Napoleon the Great

Presents the biography of Napoleon who lived one of the extraordinary of all human lives. This book shows how after seizing power in a coup d'etat he ended the corruption and incompetence into which the Revolution had descended.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Napoleon the Great by Andrew Roberts offers an unparalleled insight into the life and times of one of history's most remarkable figures. Spanning the crucial twenty years from 1795 to 1815, this definitive modern biography chronicles how Napoleon Bonaparte rose from relative obscurity to become the master of Europe. As he catapulted from a Corsican military officer to the Emperor of France, Napoleon reshaped not only the destiny of France but also the entire continent of Europe.

Seizing power in a dramatic coup d'état, Napoleon put an end to the corruption and incompetence that plagued the post-Revolutionary government. His military acumen saw him redefine the art of warfare through a series of tactical masterpieces, while his peacetime policies fundamentally transformed French society. He overhauled the legal system with the Napoleonic Code, remade the education system, and streamlined administrative processes, laying the foundations of modern France.

However, his relentless ambition and a series of draining campaigns against Great Britain, Spain, and Russia led to significant challenges. His ill-fated invasion of Russia, in particular, resulted in staggering losses and marked the beginning of the end for his empire. These ventures drained France’s resources and set the stage for Napoleon's eventual downfall.

Andrew Roberts captures the essential dynamism and allure of Napoleon’s persona with unparalleled detail and vividness. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, Roberts presents a man of immense vitality whose very presence electrified his followers. One striking testimony comes from a French sergeant-major who described how even exhausted, starving soldiers were rejuvenated by Napoleon's presence, turning their desperation into enthusiastic cries of "Vive l'Empereur!" and charging courageously into battle.

The reader of Napoleon the Great will gain a deep understanding of why Napoleon inspired such fervour, both in his loyal troops and among subsequent generations. Roberts' biography not only illuminates the remarkable human behind the legend but also offers a nuanced exploration of his lasting impact on history.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?


Napoleon the Great by Andrew Roberts is praised for its comprehensive and brilliant portrayal of Napoleon, with Bernard Cornwell calling it "simply dynamite." Dan Jones describes it as a masterly, rich, witty, and enjoyable biography that is unapologetically admiring.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141032016

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 April 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Illustration: 32pp. colour

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 42.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 709g

Pages: 976

About the Author

Andrew Roberts (Lord Roberts of Belgravia) is a biographer and historian of international renown whose books include Salisbury- Victorian Titan (winner of the Wolfson Prize for History), Masters and Commanders (winner of the Emery Reves Award), The Storm of War (winner of the British Army Book Prize), Napoleon the Great (winner of the Grand Prix of the Fondation Napoleon and the Los Angeles Times Biography Prize), and George III (winner of the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography). Roberts is a Fellow of the Royal Societies of Literature and the Royal Historical Society, and a Trustee of the International Churchill Society. He is currently Visiting Professor at the Department of War Studies at King's College, London, and the Bonnie and Tom McCloskey Distinguished Visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. His website is www.andrew-roberts.net.

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