Napoleon: A Political Life, by Steven Englund. This flowing and comprehensive review of Napoleon's political, personal and military career perceptively reveals Napoleon to have been more than a military genius. This Biography is among the best that have come out in recent years for it focuses on Napoleon the man, what he thought and how he acted in the face of one of the greatest epochs in European history. This is the book to read to get a feel of the man wrapped in the myth that is Napoleon! Highly Recommended...
The Reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, by Robert Asprey. This volume covers Emperor Napoleon from 1805 to his death in 1821. It is a fascinating and balanced study that avoids all of the modern politically correct claptrap and revisionist history that seems to be seeping into the study of history. Napoleon was the dominating figure of the 19th century and a study of the man, his work ethic, his policies and his campaigns will be sure to enlighten, invigorate and educate even the casual reader. Napoleon's life reads like a Shakespearean tragedy, there are many myths that surround the man. Robert Asprey does a great job in sorting truth from fiction. He paints for us a portrait of a man who was both driven and inspired. A must read for any one devoted to history and especially for any one interested in the Napoleonic Era.
The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, by Robert Asprey. This is the first half of a projected two volume project that depicts the glory years of Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars that came to a climax in 1805. Mr. Asprey is even handed in his treatment of the Emperor. He draws primarilly on the voluminous correspondence of Napoleon himself. This is an interesting read. A must have for any student of Napoleonic history.
In the Legions of Napoleon: The Memiors of a Polish Officer in Spain and Russia, 1808-1813, by Heinrich Von Brandt, translated by Jonathan North. Von Brandt was a junior officer in Napoleon's Grande Army and served in two of the most harrowing campaigns of the Napoleonic wars. His memoirs are revealing of the everyday life of the soldier, from garrison duty to daring raids to stone cold courageous attacks in the face of artillery. His depiction of the retreat from Moscow will have the reader on the edge of his seat.
IN THE SERVICE OF THE TSAR AGAINST NAPOLEON: The Memoirs of Denis Davidov, 18061814, translated by Gregory Troubetskoy. Davidov was a national hero in Russia after the 1812 campaign. Tolstoy actually based some of his novel, War and Peace, on Davidov's adventures. The account related in this memoir sheds much light on the rough partisan struggle that occured in the wake of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. A gripping read especially for fan's of Tolstoy's work.
Napoleon by Vincent Cronin is a stirring biography that shows the man in his true light. Cronin is a consummate biographer who has written many books of great men in History.
Napoleon Bonaparte, by Alan Schom is a disappointing read in that he seems to have been taken in by the post-Waterloo deluge of revisionist historians and diarists who published works unfavorable to Napoleon in an effort to get in good graces with the subsequent Bourbon regime.
My Napoleon is a wonderfully illustrated children's book about Napoleon while on the island of St. Helena. Based on the diary entries of a young girl who knew Napoleon.
