
A fresh, meticulously researched portrait of the man who reshaped Europe, this biography draws on a wealth of previously untapped British diplomatic and military archives. By weaving newly discovered letters, official reports, and foreign office documents into the familiar narrative, the author offers readers a nuanced view of Napoleon’s early campaigns, his rise to power, and the complex international chessboard on which he played.
The study balances admiration for Napoleon’s strategic brilliance with a candid appraisal of the missteps and rivalries that defined his era. It also sheds light on Britain’s own wavering policies, revealing moments of both folly and unexpected generosity toward the French populace. Written in a clear, engaging style, the work invites listeners to reconsider long‑held assumptions while following the dramatic arc of the first act of Napoleon’s extraordinary life.
Language
en
Duration
~39 hours (2281K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Paul Murray, and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
Release date
2004-12-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1855–1942
Best known for vivid histories of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic era, this British historian wrote with a strong sense of drama as well as scholarship. His books helped shape English-language understanding of Napoleon, Pitt, and European power politics.
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