Napoleon by Paul Johnson
A compact, fast-paced biography that traces the rise of a Corsican soldier from obscure origins to emperor of France, examining his military brilliance, political cunning, and far-reaching reforms; it follows his campaigns in Italy and Egypt, his seizure of power in the coup of 18 Brumaire, the creation of the Napoleonic state and legal Code, and the hubristic strategies—most notably the Russian invasion—that precipitated his downfall, exile, brief return and final defeat at Waterloo. The book balances admiration for his administrative and modernizing achievements with critique of his authoritarianism and the human cost of his wars, arguing that his legacy reshaped Europe even as it embodied the contradictions of genius and despotism.
- Published
- 2002
- Nationality
- British
- Length
- Unknown
- Pages
- Unknown
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(4.0)
- Alternate Titles
- None
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