5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced presentation

B.G. · June 17, 2025

Fabulous book. Well written. Entertaining. Insightful. Napoleon was a great general and a polymath but a flawed emperor. Roberts strikes a perfect balance between his brilliance and his flaws.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Once and Future Emperor...

K.F.K. · January 23, 2015

This is a monumental effort by a recognized historian and the result is an excellent biography of Napoleon. This is a sympathetic biography of the French Emperor and it ranks right up there with the 1971 biography of Napoleon by Vincent Cronin and the new biography of Napoleon by Michael Broers.The author gives Napoleon what the Emperor deserves-a fair and impartial look and gives Napoleon his due both militarily and as a civilian head of state. The author definitely demonstrates that Napoleon was neither tyrant nor military dictator (agreeing in fact with the eminent French historian Thierry Lentz) and also demonstrates that Napoleon was both a lawgiver and a reformer not only for France, but for those allies and satellites that either belonged to or were allied to the French Empire.What is also quite evident when reading the book that Napoleon as a head of state was vastly superior to his fellow monarchs. No other head of state in Europe or Russia guaranteed to his citizens freedom of religion, equality before the law, basic civil rights, and a law code, the justly famous Code Civile, also known as the Code Napoleon. Further, none of Napoleon's fellow monarchs even attempted the social and governmental reforms achieved by Napoleon, many of them in his first four years as French head of state.And even though Napoleon's fantastic career ended in defeat and exile, he was still recognized as the best soldier of his age, and was recognized as such by Wellington.This excellent volume is a must for anyone interested in the period and is enthusiastically recommended. It is a great read and excellent history and the author is to be greatly commended for both the effort and the product. This volume is definitely a keeper.

4.0 out of 5 stars are inserted vignettes that gives the reader insight into the personality of this amazing historical figure

A.D. · September 3, 2015

It is a fascinating read. It is written in a style where not only, historical accuracy is at the forefront but throughout the text, are inserted vignettes that gives the reader insight into the personality of this amazing historical figure. The battle descriptions are very well done for someone who is interested in historical warfare. I found these somewhat long but I can understand their importance given the magnitude of the armies involved and the swath of territories that were at stake. In fact, I have since bought the paper copy so that I can glance at the photographs and maps at length.

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book

A. · May 14, 2017

This is a brilliant book - so well researched and so well written. My motivation to read about Napoleon was a visit to St Helena and as I know next to nothing about Napoleon I wanted to have an appreciating for his life, motivations and accomplishments before visiting the island. I am so pleased I chose this book - very grateful. It answered so well the key question I was wondering about Napoleon - how does a kid from Corsica become emporer of France?! One finishes the book being very impressed by Napoleon - as a broad thinker, highly intelligent, military genuis and accomplished law-maker. I was sorry when I finished the book! Congratulaitons to Mr Roberts for such an phenomal work.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great leader and general

D. · August 1, 2015

A great book about one the greatest personalities in recent history. I always thought he was similar to Hitler but after reading this I see there is no comparison. Napoleon was well versed in reading history. He lost 6 battles out of about 46. Some of the laws he established in France are still in use today.

5.0 out of 5 stars I find it inspiring

P.K. · September 25, 2017

This is a thorough and a very well written book. As a general reader, I find it a riveting read. In fact, this book has inspired me to read Napoleon correspondence.

4.0 out of 5 stars Many books are written on Napoleon, but this one ...

G.A. · September 11, 2015

Many books are written on Napoleon, but this one is a very fresh new look, backed by extensive research and many little-known facts of his life, that opens a new page in the understanding of his life and actions. Well-written and pleasant to read.

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb biography

L. · February 20, 2015

This is a long book that is (because of its length and weight) eminently suited to a Kindle, although if you have a tablet as well you will appreciate the fine colour illustrations and get more out of the maps.It is extremely readable and, quite often, becomes gripping. The author's style is distinguished both by clarity of expression and a mastery of the narrative art. I found it difficult to put down.Not only are Napoleon's battles depicted clearly and with an uncanny sense of the topology of a battlefield, but the author involves us in the Emperor's personal and family life, often with amusing or interesting anecdotes. The book also, without ever flagging, examines Napoleon's contribution to the fields of law-giving and the social reform that was necessary after the stagnation under the Bourbons and the excesses of the French Revolution.I can not recommend this book highly enough.

Accurate historical facts and events

A.C. · November 16, 2023

I enjoy reading this book. It is packed with dates and events; I could only read it for about an hour at a time. The author knows his subject very well.

Good book

T.m.s. · June 9, 2025

Great!!!!

Napoléon Bonaparte's biography by Andrew Roberts

E.H. · September 28, 2024

A thorough and captivating portrayal of Napoléon Bonaparte, one of the most successful generals of the French revolutionary armies.

Napoleon comes across as a tragic figure

U. · July 13, 2017

History was my favourite subject in school. Yet I had never read a biography of Napoleon and had a very sketchy idea about him. I picked up the book as it was amongst the most reviewed books on Napoleon.Mr. Andrew Roberts has written a well researched and a single volume history of Napoleon though running into 800 pages. He has read the private papers of Napoleon, visited the battle grounds and also read memoirs of other about him. One has a mental impression of emperors and the character of Napoleon stood out in sharp contrast. Some of the things that stood out were:1. Napoleon was born without priveldge and went onto become the most powerful man in the world and whose writ ran over a very large part of Europe. More than cunningness and murdering opponents, his rise is to do with his ambition, energy, leadership, organisational capabilities and intellect. His desire to learn new subjects, and his ability to master them came as a surprise.2. He is a great motivator of his soldiers and his armies love him. He also uses propaganda and is very careful about public opinion and public image. This later costs him, as he is not willing to compromise on the boundaries of the French state, in which public opinion is one consideration. His view that too much freedom for press is dangerous is interesting.3. He is very forward looking and believes in meritocracy, equality before law, rational government, upholding legal contracts, secularism and efficiency. These principles are not just for French but for all the subjects of the empire. His rule is not only about him, but also about his subjects.4. As he grows powerful, he moves away from the principle of meritocracy and appoints his siblings to important position. This costs him dear.5. His philosophy of taking decisions early and nipping the problem in the bud is interesting. His shooting of 300 protestors ensures that for over 30 years, mobs made no attempt at violence in Paris. As he says, "art of policing is in punishing infrequently but severely."6. He is a great general and stays close to the battle and his troops. There is no way that his opponents could have beaten him in the earlier part of his carrier, though as the author points out that luck also favoured him. His downfall comes as his opponents emulate him and the invasion of Russia. Russians keep on abandoning the cities and avoid a fight with his armies.7. One weakness is his lack of appreciation of the benefits of free trade. Putting restrictions on trade with England makes his empire economically weak and in a way led to his downfall. Good economics always makes for good economics on the long run.Despite his wars, Napoleon came across as a tragic figure. He forgives people who have led him down. He does not effect a regime change in either Russia or Austria Hungary, but comes to an agreement, though on his terms. The same individuals came after him and ensured that he is no longer allowed to rule or even live in France. They wanted him dead. His wife eventually does not come and join him at Elba. He is exiled to St. Helena which he knows will be his final resting place.The French revolution and his new ideas ensured that new ideas were constantly at war with the old Europe (as much as Napoleon and the others). The real legacy is that the ideas of French revolution did not die but laid the foundation of a modern Europe. His opponents (except Britain) such as empires of Austria Hungary and Russia withered away. The countries where he planted ideas of nationalism i.e., Italy and Germany went on to dominate Europe in the 20th century.All in all a very well written book on one of the great figures of the human history. I give it my highest recommendation.

A remarkable work

L. · April 17, 2025

This nonfiction book traces Napoleon's life from birth to death, drawing on numerous writings produced to date and enriched with numerous references. I greatly appreciated the author's approach, which highlights the differences of opinion on certain events, particularly regarding the death toll. I highly recommend this book.