Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 15, August, 1851

The story opens on the rugged island of Corsica, a land of dramatic cliffs and Italian heritage that was suddenly absorbed into France in the late 1760s. Here we meet Charles Bonaparte, a handsome, ambitious lawyer from an ancient noble line, and his devoted wife Letitia, whose beauty and determination match the wild beauty of their surroundings. Their bustling household in Ajaccio, complemented by a seaside retreat, provides a vivid backdrop for the family’s fortunes as the French conquest reshapes the island’s destiny.

Amid this turbulence, Letitia gives birth to a son—Napoleon—on a modest couch draped with an ancient tapestry of heroic battles. The narrative emphasizes the profound impact of his mother’s intellect and moral guidance, portraying her as the cornerstone of the children’s upbringing. Early anecdotes hint at the young Napoleon’s keen mind and the familial values that would later shape his ambitions, setting the stage for a remarkable journey.