Napoleon in America

by Shannon Selin

What if Napoleon Bonaparte had escaped from St. Helena and wound up in the United States?

The year is 1821. Former French Emperor Napoleon has been imprisoned on a dark wart in the Atlantic since his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. Rescued in a state of near-death by Gulf pirate Jean Laffite, Napoleon lands in New Orleans, where he struggles to regain his health aided by voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. Opponents of the Bourbon regime expect him to reconquer France. French Canadians beg him to seize Canada from Britain. American adventurers urge him to steal Texas from Mexico. His brother Joseph pleads with him to settle peacefully in New Jersey. As Napoleon restlessly explores his new land, he frets about his legacy. He fears for the future of his ten-year-old son, trapped in the velvet fetters of the Austrian court. While the British, French and American governments follow his activities with growing alarm, remnants of the Grande Armée flock to him with growing anticipation. Are Napoleon’s intentions as peaceful as he says they are? If not, does he still have the qualities necessary to lead a winning campaign?

Genres: Alternate History, Historical Fiction, Fiction, 19th Century, Novels, Book Club

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2014

About the author

Shannon Selin was born and raised in the small town of Biggar, Saskatchewan (“New York is big, but this is Biggar”). Her father was a history teacher, so she grew up immersed in history books and spent her holidays tramping around battlefields, graveyards and museums. Her early obsessions included Vikings, the Tudors and the Statue of Liberty.

Shannon always knew she would write novels, but the need to make a living and raise a family came first. She worked at jobs that involved a lot of non-fiction writing, including university research, technical writing and working for the Canadian government.

Realizing that she needed to do what she always wanted to do, Shannon now writes historical fiction full time. Her short stories have appeared in The Copperfield Review and CommuterLit. Her novel, Napoleon in America, imagines what might have happened if Napoleon Bonaparte had escaped from St. Helena and wound up in the United States in 1821.

Shannon has a BA in Political Science from the University of Saskatchewan and an MA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. She lives in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, where she is working on the next novel in her Napoleon series. Shannon blogs about Napoleonic and 19th century history at shannonselin.com.

Reviews

[Jim Gallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I classify “Napoleon in America” as semi-historical fiction. Its premise is that Napoleon escapes from St. Helena and makes his way to America. I will leave it at that. To tell much more would spoil it for you.

It is semi-historical in that its characters are historical figures: Napoleon, his brother Joseph Bonaparte, John Quincy Adams, James Monroe, King Louis XVIII, the Marquis de Lafayette, the Duke of Wellington, “privateer” Jean Lafitte and Jim Bowie just to name a few. It is semi-fiction in that it is obviously not a true story. Napoleon did not, as we know, escape but much of the dialogue and storyline ring true. Napoleon speaks of his dreams and feelings for his son. John Quincy Adams thinks out loud about the rationale of United States foreign policy. Louis XVIII muses over his role in the restored monarchy. Listen as Lafayette balances his love of liberty with the practical politics. Follow as Wellington explains British policy in Europe. Let Lafitte try to convince you that he is a privateer, not a pirate. The events that fill this storyline are fiction. The people and themes that give it life are real.

Author Shannon Selin’s writing style is exceptional. The action flows seemlessly. The conversation is realistic. The saga is believable. Some novels of this genre reach a point that is so far-fetched that it undercuts the credibility of the work, but never in “Napoleon in America”. The mind’s can actually see the scenes described. Depending on your sentiments toward Napoleon it may generate horror or disappointment for what might have been. This book draws the reader in to think of the times, appreciate what Napoleon meant to the world, understand America’s role in that world and, most importantly, to just enjoy a great story.

I did receive a free copy of this book for review.

[Not HG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why isn't this book longer?!
Napoleon in America is, appropriately, about Napoleon escaping from Saint Elena and landing in New Orleans. The book deals with the world's reactions to his escape, France's plans for war against Spain to unite the people, and of course Napoleon's recovery and plans for his life in America.
The book is amazingly written, containing everything from newspaper articles to letters to regular third person POVs all done great. The characters are true to their real life personalities, and the alternate history is completely possible.
Though, at least to me, the book "drags" a little in the beginning (meaning that what the back cover says doesn't happen for a while, though what DOES happen is very interesting), the last half leaves you wanting for more. I was so caught up in the story I was shocked when I turned the page and found out I had finished the book.
Hopefully Ms. Selin will make a sequel, so we can see what happens next in the world where Napoleon lives and brings his magic to the New World.

[Lally Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Fantastic! I loved this novel. Packed full of historical detail, written at a cracking pace and thoroughly believable 'Napoleon in America' is a must read.
Love him or loathe him Napoleon is one of history's most celebrated figures. Shannon Selin has taken him from exile on St. Helena and placed him squarely in America - WATCH OUT!
As someone who has lived on St. Helena and researched Napoleon's life on the island I know that several escape plans were proposed by Napoleon's supporters in America but intercepted and thwarted by the British Authorities.
I am hugely impressed by Ms. Selin's incredible depth of research, her close attention to detail and the quality of her writing. A great book, bring on the sequel!

[Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is superbly conceived and executed. The style is extremely precise and the dialogue authentically rendered in the language of the day. It offers a compelling exercise in what has been variously termed “counterfactual history”, “alternative history”, “speculative history”, and so on. This novel does not wear its research and its philosophical imagination on its sleeve. It’s far more subtle than that: the learning is finely and unobtrusively woven into the tapestry — driven first and foremost by the telling of a cracking yarn.

[Richard Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Napoleon in America, by Sharon Sellin, is an alternate history book, based on the premise that Napoleon was rescued from exile in St Helena when close to death. He is taken to America, which seems at face value to offer him refuge from the antagonism he faces from the various European rulers.

The central question of the novel is, what would he do in such a position? Would he attempt to rally loyal but old followers in France and seek to regain his position of leadership there? Would he challenge English rule of Canada by organising the French speaking people there? Would he try to forge a new French / American territory in the south by seizing Texas from the Mexican regime? All these are credible scenarios, and the choice rests on numerous factors including his own, rather indecisive, frame of mind. Is he still able to show the flair which had characterised him in the early days, or is he quite simply past it?

Full marks to Shannon for this highly original concept, and for the level of investigative research which she has put into it. The plot moves regularly between America and Europe, and gives a stage to a very wide range of opinions, both pro and anti Napoleon. The affairs of kings and politicians are there, as are the anxieties of his family, and those of former colleagues and adversaries.

As a Brit, the European machinations for power in the post-Napoleonic era were familiar from school days, but I had no prior knowledge of the American scene at the time, nor indeed of the considerable number of disaffected Frenchmen who had emigrated there. Napoleon might indeed have been able to draw on both numbers and expertise had he actually been rescued in this way. However, it is clear that his reappearance would not be welcome to everyone.

Where I struggled with the book was in Shannon's choice of narrative style. A great deal of the plot is advanced through lengthy dialogue, or by pseudo-dialogue such as letters or newspaper articles. It is clear that these are extensively based on contemporary material, and at times I found it heavy going. The situation being described is very complex, and it is easy to lose track of who wants what. I feel that to get the most out of the book, a person would need to be very steeped in the era and its conventions.

I also was perplexed by the end. It was not clear to me whether there was a volume 2 to follow, or whether this was the whole thing. The final chapter could be read either way. Certainly, real history - even alternate real history - is never neatly tied up after any given event. But given that this is fiction, I felt there were too many narrative threads left unresolved when I reached the last page. I was left unsatisfied by what seemed to be a mere lull in the action. Given the intricacy of the plot to this point, I had expected more of a culmination, and found myself looking gloomily at the steadily diminishing quantity of book remaining, with an increasing realisation that full resolution was not going to happen.

Overall a four star book for me. Napoleon in America is carefully researched, excellently produced and presented, and above all very original. But I felt that it could have been more accessible to those of us who are not already familiar with the real events, and I am still trying to work out whether the story came to an end or simply a pause.

[Gus Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would make a terrific filmed mini-series. Very much looking forward to the next volume.

[Burma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous and compelling read for people who like precision writing.

[Mark Brownlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this alternative history where Napoleon escapes St. Helena and lands in America. I was captivated by the imagined progress of events and disappointed to reach the end of the book.

There is a wealth of historical and local colour that gives the story a consistent believability, whether the scene is a political discussion in the heart of Paris or a dinner in Louisiana. A testament to the talent (and, presumably, research) of the author. At times I found myself asking my history teacher wife whether Event A or B had actually happened (mostly it hadn't, but it certainly felt like it could have).

There are quite a few names and titles to deal with and it's not your conventional novel structure. Dialogue, action and description rub shoulders with newspaper excerpts, diary entries and letters as the story unfolds. I found this actually added to the authenticity, but I can understand if some prefer a more standard narrative approach.

I sincerely hope there will be a sequel.

[Oran Brucks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Napoleon. His name alone is enough to evoke constant interest and prod the readers the imagination. To title a novel "Napoleon in America" is like painting ELVIS LIVES on your roof. It grabs your eye and won't let you rest without further investigation. . A fantastic mix of history, imagination and fiction that is both informative and entertaining while leaving you wondering where the truth departs and fantasy begins. The author has created a story you must read that will not leave you disappointed.

[Joanne Renaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging alternate history where Napoleon (who comes pretty close to being a Villain Protagonist here) escapes to America with the help of Jean Lafitte and and starts a new cycle of Epic Shenanigans. He goes on a tour of America, antagonizes and befriends a variety of people (including Marie Laveau), embarks on a new affair with a hot married lady, and eventually invades Texas. That Napoleon, he's such a wacky guy! The book is a massive and intricate tapestry of the POVs of many people, all reacting to Napoleon's escape, and that includes Lafitte, John Quincy Adams, Marie Antoinette's daughter Therese, Napoleon's imprisoned son, loyal French soldiers, and a variety of ordinary Americans (both inspired and irritated by Napoleon's presence in the New World).

This is an impressive debut novel, and I'm pleased to hear that the author is currently working on a sequel. The writing is a touch dry, but it suits the subject matter. Think of it as a documentary of a history that never happened. Or maybe it did in another timeline-- who knows?

[Joshua Provan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if Napoleon had escaped after Waterloo? Some people ask me.
"He'd have gone to America" I say. It's an easy question to answer because the motives of the emperor at that time were still clear and his power of choice was still his own. Most people do not ask, what if Napoleon had escaped from St Helena.

Napoleon lead a life of escapes. First from Corsica and obscurity, then from temporary fame to immortality, then from Elba and ignominy, but he could not escape from St Helena and due to the impossibility of constructing a plausible escape, Shannon Selin cleverly does not focus on any wild scheme of escape plan in her book Napoleon in America.

It is book of giant scope. More so than one might assume. Naively we ask "what if Napoleon escaped?" But that is just the beginning, for this one event would effect every statesman in Europe. All well and good to say what if Napoleon got away, but then we must ask, what would the reaction be?
A thousand cans of a thousand worms are let open by this one action, and Selin demonstrates a cool mastery over each response. Creating a highly believable, authentic and not too far fetched or overblown scenario that is almost at the other extreme understated rather than implausible.

Populated by real people, speaking much as they might have, with scrupulous adherence to their historical beliefs, each new figure is a brilliantly researched vignette. For an instance I think that General Foy's wounded shoulder, inadvertently flinching at the word Waterloo is an excellent touch and demonstrates the kind of sensitivity and scholarship at play here.

Napoleon is particularly well drawn, displaying a good blend of loud and quiet moments. He is always speaking in proverbs and quotable blurbs, acting like a "baby of 52" to quote one character, setting out for a quiet existence in exile, yet slowly becoming more and more active, following his old pattern. We are drawn on here, fascinated to see Selin's vision for her very plausible Napoleon, and where it will lead. Now that history had changed questions pile up upon one another compelling people like me to follow his path.

Part way through it starts to become clear that Napoleon is being drawn closer and closer towards the Latin American states then in revolution. Specifically, as many in America did at the time, he looks to Texas as an opportunity. Napoleon spends most of the time as a sort of portrait, yet every now and then we see some brave incursions into his psychology. Where he finally gives up the pretence of living in peaceful exile, he rails at his brother Joseph that if he had stayed and died on St Helena his martyrdom would have secured a crown for his son than vegetate as a nothingness relic in America.

Selin cleverly asks nothing of her carachters that they would not likely have done. Thus we are not asked to believe anything too great. Napoleon acts much as he did in 1814-15, at first affecting a genuine tiredness of public life and adventure, then becoming restless, then looking for an excuse to return to a leading role.

At the same time real events roll onwards. Adding a layer of realism to the plot, which comes in handy when one tries to visualise Napoleon smoking a peace pipe with an Indian chief as he marches into Texas, leading a ragtag army of exiles and adventurers which include Jean Laffite and Jim Bowie into what was then a Mexican no mans land. The narrative builds slowly, an annoyance to some, but a pleasure for myself and those who savour details.

Could what unfolds be done? Well the nice thing about alternate history is that anything is possible, but this is also plausible. If Napoleon, or anybody with a mind had gathered 2,500 men and marched into Texas, the USA would have been hard pressed to oppose it. Their army was pitifully reduced, with not a cavalry regiment to its name, spread in among a wide string of isolated forts and garrisons. In Mexico the province of Texas was famously sparse in population and even fewer in troops, the Spanish would be in no position to intervene. So actually this seemingly crazy idea could have been pulled off, at least in the short term.

The military aspects, as with all the elements of the book are realistic & well thought out. Disease, desertion & human error abound.

Shanon Selin is a brilliant researcher. Her blog is a model of howninternet history should be presented. The book is therefore heavy on history, and although the story is strong enough to support it, at times you'd be fooled into thinking this was a nonfiction alternate history book. The author is therefore to be congratulated for successfully blurring the line between reality and fiction, which is what every historical author strives to do. And just to prove it there is an extensive source list and character list in the back.

The book ends with a bang, and the promise of unfinished business. All in all I'd say this is the best alternate historical fiction I've read since Gettysburg.

[Nicholas Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shannon Selin's "Napoleon in America" is an enjoyable work of historical fiction. I was drawn to the book as a Ph.D. student in Napoleonic History, looking for an interesting side reading and intrigued with how this alternate history would differ from others of a similar vein. What I found was unexpected, but not displeasingly so. The story does not feel like a story about Napoleon himself, but rather a device that brings the nations of the Atlantic world together, a vehicle which allows the author uses to explore the political culture of the Restoration Era and early Congress [of Vienna] Europe. Where Napoleon does appear, in contrast to say Louis Geoffroy's depiction in "Napoleon and the Conquest of the World" where he revives the spirit of his youthful victories of the Consulate and early Empire, he is rather more the man of the aftermath of Waterloo, a spent force floundering from place to place almost aimlessly. While he gradually regains health and happiness, he largely lives off of past glories and appears exhausted of innovation. One of the only issues I really found with the book is that sometimes he comes across as more of a caricature, with an overemphasis on his temper and sexism (although he was most certainly guilty of both). That, and too glowing impression of the state of the US in the period with all the emphasis on notions of "liberty" and "democracy," which in practicality (especially in the time frame) was the rule of a small, elite clique of propertied slavers and white supremacists, for all of Quincy Adams' idealism. It is also interesting to read an account where Joseph is the sympathetic Bonaparte brother. Overall, the story is engaging, well-researched, and well-written, weaving in various significant figures in ways that seem natural. I would recommend this to people interested in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Era and in political intrigue.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon Selin’s *Napoleon in America* is an elegant, thought-provoking exploration of historical divergence that combines meticulous research with imaginative speculation.

Published in 2011, the novel asks a deceptively simple question: what if Napoleon Bonaparte, instead of retreating into exile on St. Helena, had turned his ambitions toward the New World?

From this premise, Selin constructs a narrative that is both a political thriller and a reflection on leadership, morality, and the unforeseen consequences of individual ambition. Unlike many alternate histories that focus on battles or large-scale geopolitical shifts, Selin’s work is as interested in the ethical and cultural ramifications of Napoleon’s presence in America as in the “what if” of global power.

At the center of the narrative is Napoleon himself, depicted with nuance and historical awareness. Selin avoids caricature, portraying him as both a brilliant strategist and a deeply human figure, capable of vision, ambition, and moral miscalculation.

Through his perspective, the reader experiences the tension between personal ambition and broader historical responsibility. Napoleon’s character serves as both engine and lens: his decisions drive the plot while also illuminating the ethical stakes of leadership, the fragility of political systems, and the interplay between personal ego and public consequence.

The novel’s world-building is both imaginative and historically grounded. Selin carefully reconstructs early 19th-century America, from its fledgling political institutions to the diverse social and cultural landscape shaped by immigration, expansion, and ideological tension. Into this well-realised setting she inserts the hypothetical presence of a European emperor, exploring the potential consequences for diplomacy, governance, and societal development.

The result is a world that is simultaneously plausible and intellectually provocative, where readers can imagine both the strategic calculations and moral dilemmas arising from an unexpected historical disruption.

Thematically, *Napoleon in America* interrogates the nature of power, ambition, and ethical responsibility. Napoleon’s interventions are not merely political manoeuvres; they are moral choices with far-reaching consequences for both individuals and societies. The novel explores questions of legitimacy, authority, and the ethical exercise of leadership, considering how ambition interacts with conscience and how strategic brilliance can produce both triumph and catastrophe. Selin emphasises the tension between vision and consequence, inviting reflection on the human capacity for foresight, prudence, and moral courage.

Characterisation extends beyond Napoleon, incorporating a diverse ensemble of political figures, military officers, and ordinary citizens. Each perspective adds depth to the ethical and social implications of the altered timeline, showing how the arrival of a figure like Napoleon reverberates across society. Citizens must navigate new political hierarchies, diplomats recalibrate alliances, and soldiers confront unfamiliar strategies and authority.

Through these varied viewpoints, Selin examines both the personal and collective consequences of historical divergence, highlighting the interplay between individual agency and systemic forces.

The prose is precise, elegant, and reflective, balancing narrative propulsion with thoughtful observation. Selin’s style allows the reader to inhabit both the tension of political manoeuvring and the quiet ethical reflection of her characters. Dialogue is used effectively to reveal character, advance plot, and explore ideological conflict, while descriptive passages provide a strong sense of place, atmosphere, and historical texture.

The effect is immersive: readers are drawn into an America transformed by the presence of a European emperor, yet one that remains convincingly grounded in its cultural, political, and historical reality.

Conflict in the novel is as much ethical as it is military or political. While there are moments of tension and strategic manoeuvring, the focus remains on the implications of power, choice, and consequence. Napoleon’s decisions shape the fates of communities, political structures, and individuals, underscoring the moral weight of leadership. The novel continually asks readers to consider the ripple effects of authority and ambition, and how ethical clarity can be both challenged and reaffirmed in the crucible of historical disruption.

Historical detail is another hallmark of Selin’s approach. The novel reflects careful research into early American politics, military strategy, and society, yet these details are seamlessly integrated into a speculative framework. Readers are invited to imagine plausible outcomes while being reminded that history is contingent, that the decisions of individuals—particularly those with extraordinary abilities or ambition—can alter trajectories in unexpected ways. This blend of scholarship and imagination deepens both narrative immersion and thematic resonance.

Stylistically, the novel maintains a reflective, flowing rhythm, alternating between political strategy, personal reflection, and broader ethical meditation. Selin’s narrative cadence mirrors the oscillation between action and contemplation, allowing readers to engage both intellectually and emotionally. The result is a reading experience that is both thrilling and contemplative, merging the pleasures of historical speculation with the deeper questions of morality, leadership, and human consequence.

Ultimately, *Napoleon in America* is a meditation on the intersection of individual ambition, historical contingency, and moral responsibility. Selin demonstrates that even a single figure—however brilliant or ambitious—cannot act in isolation; their choices reverberate across societies, ethical frameworks, and political landscapes. The novel emphasises the enduring tension between vision and consequence, authority and conscience, ambition and responsibility, reminding readers that history is shaped not only by what happens but by the ethical dimensions of what could have happened.

In conclusion, Shannon Selin’s *Napoleon in America* is a compelling, thoughtful work of alternate history that blends historical plausibility with imaginative speculation and ethical inquiry. It immerses readers in a reimagined America while exploring timeless questions of leadership, morality, and human agency.

Through meticulous research, nuanced characterisation, and reflective prose, Selin presents a narrative that is both engaging and intellectually stimulating, a story that lingers long after the final page, inviting contemplation of the moral and historical stakes of power and ambition in any age.

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine that instead of being imprisoned for all the rest of his days, Napoleon escaped and went to America, helped out by the infamous pirate, Jean Lafitte and this is exactly what "Napoleon in America" is about. In history, Napoleon never visited America so this historical event is a figment of the imagination.

I don't often read alternate history because usually if I'm reading history or historical fiction, I want to have the facts. However, books like this one makes me think that maybe I need to be a little more open to to alternative history. Even though the events are made up, you can tell that Selin did a lot of research on the historical figures that appear in the book to make all of the things that they say and all of the things that they do in this book feel like something that actually could have happened.

There are so many really interesting historical figures in the book. I loved that the author included some of the correspondence from some of the historical figures, such as John Quincy Adams. It really added a sense of realism to the book. I also liked how the author wrote the characters themselves, you get to see a lot of different perspectives. We get insight into the kind of man that Napoleon was, the things he cares about, and his thoughts on his relationships with others. We see how much he cares and thinks about his son, which definitely humanized him for me.

I liked the writing of the book. The book had a really good flow!

[Rob Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Napoleon in America is an utterly believable account of what might have happened if Napoleon had escaped from St Helena. It's impeccably researched, expertly written and hard to put down. Even if you've never read alternative history before I would heartily recommend it to anyone with an interest in the Napoleonic period.

[Simon Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authentic & Pseudo-Historical

A great imagining of what might have been. Written in a style that evokes Bourienne’s history of Napoleon, could well have been produced in the 1830’s. Great read for Bonaparte fans

[Santa Battaglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is too subtle for those used to schlock. The writing and research in this book is akin to a fine gossamer. Brilliant!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been a while since I read anything in the alternate history genre, and this one has a premise to get any history buff salivating: Napoleon escapes St. Helena and goes to America. The world collectively groans while others marvel. His illness, fatal in real life, is cured, and the unkillable Corsican begins a new chapter in North America.
This book is truly impressive in portraying how such a scenario might have played out. The fallout in Britain, Bourbon France, and in the United States government, and the reactions from key figures therein, are realistic and nuanced. About half of the novel is "standard" real-time dialogue from the key players, interspersed with personal letters and newspaper articles discussing the events as they unfold.
My main gripe, though, is that is just takes so long to get going. And when it does, it is fast-paced and hard-hitting. But between Napoleon's landing in New Orleans and the climactic battle in - possible spoiler - Texas, the story is pretty dialogue-heavy. The dialogue, for its part, is written to be true-to-period, which I appreciated, though it takes some getting used to.
I do hope there is a sequel to this. As brilliantly researched and thought-out as this story obviously is, I couldn't help feel that it was a bit of a drag to the end, which itself seemed in a hurry to wrap up. Perhaps the best way to describe it is: this book kinda feels like a "part one" without a "part two." It sets up a scenario for which I feel there is potential for a very dramatic conclusion, and I hope the author will feel inclined to indulge us.
I am very glad to have discovered this book!

[Gareth Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ambitious novel that sets itself the task of using speeches, writings and reportage as the characters’ speech. I liked the plot although it was a little thin and ultimately unresolved - another book? However, people do not talk as they write, and even if they did, it stretches the patience of the reader a bit too far. I think the art of writing speech in an historical novel os to make it seem credible - even if the speech here is credible it fails to satisfy, I am afraid.
Nevertheless, I admire the depth of research and enjoyed the few passages where Selin let her imagination flow. She writes well and there is fun to be had here.

[Rosana But]

I want to read this book by Shannon Selin. I need this book to know this alternate universe.

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main thing about an alternate history is plausibility. Shannon Selin has definitely achieved that with this book, partly because much of it is presented in a series of news reports and letters. Napoleon is the focus of the story, but he isn't exactly the main character. Instead, from beginning to end, the reader follows him through the reactions and opinions of others, most of whom are also real people. In an afterword, the author lists all these individuals, with their birth and death dates when known. She also lists the sources of memoirs and correspondence she used in creating the story.

This way of telling the story, which is one of its strengths, also makes the book a rather difficult read. There are long sections in which different people have detailed discussions about international relations among the nations responsible for Napoleon's defeat and exile. There is a slow buildup to war between Spain and France under Louis XVIII. There are rumblings regarding Spanish colonies in the Americas, notably Mexico and Cuba. There's Texas, not yet part of the United States. One thing I found interesting was how the United States, not yet a half-century old, was taking its place on the world stage. Being largely ignorant of the history of this period (early 1820s), I did find some of this material a bit of a slog. Vivid snapshots of some of the personalities involved added some spark along with authenticity.

But what about Napoleon? How is he represented in this fictional situation? In the scenes where he appears, he is by turns sentimental, autocratic, superstitious, and impulsive. His feelings for his young son, who is far away and inaccessible, are touching. His progress from a renewed zest for life to boredom and a return to his old persona of military hero and man of destiny is logical and, I think, in keeping with history. I had no idea where he would end up until the final pages, but the ending of the book, although inconclusive, was satisfying.

I recommend this one especially to readers of serious historical fiction and fans of Napoleon.

[Stories. - Federica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book after winning a Goodreads giveaway.

I've always loved the character of Napoleon. I think that he played a really important role in history because with his empire he completely changed every part of Europe and its own conception.
For these reason I was really curious about this book. In fact, there is a big question about how the world would have been if Napoleon didn't die in st. Helena. Probably, lots of countries would have another aspect.

This is a fantastic idea! And so the plot. I found fascinating tha fact that Napoleon managed to escape and tried to become powerful again in America.

The negative point, in my opinion, is the fact that the book is divided in different part: diaries, letters, newspaper and others. This aspect sometimes could be annoying.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally got through this book... Loved the concept of the book but the middle part dragged for me due to two reasons: One, I loved the fact that the author did her research and I believe gave an accurate depiction of the way people/nations corresponded back then but it made for a difficult read. Olde English is something for me that takes some time to decipher and, as a result, slowed my discernment of the text. The second reason was due to the inordinate amount of detail used to describe the setting of the book. I understand there were a great number of characters involved in the story but it seemed to bog down the story line. As a result, the end of the book almost seemed a little rushed and lacked a momentous conclusion. I would give the author another shot though due to her diligence in terms of trying to get the historical references correct.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Except for the wooden dialogue, and two dimensional characters this could have been a good book. Do not read this book unless you have an extreme interest in Napoleonic era international dynamics and relationships.

If someone gives you this book, re-gift it.