Napoleon and His Marshals: Victory, Rivalry, Betrayal

by Andrew Roberts

Napoleon appointed twenty-six men Marshals of the Empire, a position he created to honor his most important Generals. He encouraged competition among them for titles, for wealth, but above all, for glory. Only instead of creating a team of rivals, as Lincoln so famously did, he forged a nest of vipers. A masterful biographer with a gift for capturing flawed heroes in all their vitality and self-delusion, Andrew Roberts invites us into the lives and loves of these elite warriors, whose rivalries shaped the fate of Europe.

The marshals were the swords behind Napoleon's throne. Their valor burnished his aura of invincibility. Through their lives we follow the rise and fall of one of history's most captivating leaders, who forged an empire greater than Caesar's from the embers of France's first failed effort at democracy. Napoleon rose to power amidst the fervor and mayhem of the French Revolution, bringing order after years of violence and upheaval. He established new laws, championed new technologies, and pioneered new approaches to government and education, but his defeat ushered in the return of autocratic absolutism. Was he a genius or a tyrant? From the vantage point of his marshals, the answer may be both.

Over a quarter of Napoleon's Marshals died violent deaths. Only two would be at his side at Waterloo. But many would remember what it was like to be there, fighting to make a new world. Napoleon and his Marshals is a profound exploration of transformative leadership by a man uniquely gifted at rallying the troops, who fatefully mistrusted those whose loyalty he needed to survive.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France, War, European History, Military Fiction, French Revolution

704 pages, Hardcover

First published October 8, 2026

About the author

Dr Andrew Roberts, who was born in 1963, took a first class honours degree in Modern History at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, from where he is an honorary senior scholar and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). He has written or edited twelve books, and appears regularly on radio and television around the world. Based in New York, he is an accomplished public speaker, and is represented by HarperCollins Speakers’ Bureau (See Speaking Engagements and Speaking Testimonials). He has recently lectured at Yale, Princeton and Stanford Universities and at the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Helga Martiros · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A people who have been brought up on victories often do not know how to accept defeat.”
-Napoleon

Andrew Roberts is brilliant at bringing historical figures to life. With his meticulous research and a great talent for storytelling, he knows how to make the past feel present. He knows how to put things together, so the reader won’t be bogged down with unnecessary details and tiresome embellishments.
Having read many of Mr. Roberts’ books, ‘Napoleon: A life’ being a favorite, I knew I could only expect impeccable research, engaging writing and a deep understanding of his subjects.

In Napoleon and His Marshals, Mr. Roberts explores not only the military achievements of Napoleon and his marshals but also their rivalries, ambitions, loyalties, and betrayals. He makes these men feel like real people rather than distant figures from history, with all their strengths, weaknesses, and contradictions.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy.

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In life, there are two types of family. One you are born into and one you get to choose. In the case of Napoleon Bonaparte, he decided to get the worst of both. In Napoleon and His Marshals, Andrew Roberts decides to take a look at how Napoleon created a gigantic, combative, and treacherous family that would leave its mark on all of Europe.

I think it is important to know what this book is and what it is not. This is not a full biography of Napoleon or any of his marshals. Instead, this is a play by play of amazingly egotistical men whose brilliance is almost inevitably overshadowed by their ego. With that said, I think the book works best for someone with at least a passing understanding of the time and the people. For instance, do you know why Leipzig is important? If yes, please proceed! If no, might I suggest Roberts' own excellent biography of Napoleon and then come on back.

This is truly a book only a gifted storyteller like Roberts can pull together. There is a litany of names and personalities which need to be highlighted while keeping the narrative moving forward. Told chronologically, Roberts knows when to hold back and who to discuss so that a 600 page book does not feel like 6,000 pages. Additionally, I appreciated Roberts's willingness to engage with the myths around some of the major events. This is Napoleon and his circle so everyone is going to have their opinions and biases. Roberts looks at the known facts and explains his own interpretations which makes for a richer read.

(This book was provided as a review copy by Avid Reader Press.)

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 26

As I have mentioned several times Andrew Roberts is one of my favourite historians, and Napoleon and His Marshals is a fantastic addition to his work on the Napoleonic era. As someone who has spent a great deal of time studying Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars, I particularly enjoyed the way Roberts brings the personalities of the men around the Emperor into sharp focus. These were not merely names attached to famous battles, but extraordinary, complicated human beings whose ambitions, vanities, jealousies and genuine military gifts helped shape the destiny of Europe.

I cannot help wondering whether there has ever been a greater concentration of military talent in history than that which emerged from the French Revolution. The old social order had been overturned, and men who might never have risen beyond modest rank under the ancien régime suddenly found themselves commanding armies and winning battles that changed the map of Europe. Napoleon was the supreme beneficiary of this upheaval, but he was also the man who knew best how to exploit it. His marshals were, in many respects, the living embodiment of revolutionary France: fiercely ambitious, astonishingly capable and hungry for glory.

Napoleon understood his marshals intimately, knew their strengths and weaknesses, and was adept at playing them off against one another. He encouraged competition for honours, titles, wealth and, above all, his personal favour. It was a kind of divide-and-conquer strategy, keeping these formidable men competing for the Emperor’s approval rather than allowing them to develop a united power base of their own. The system could produce extraordinary results on the battlefield, but it also bred resentment, mistrust and destructive rivalries. Napoleon wanted men who would achieve greatness in his service, but never forget who had made them great. However, this was also the downfall when things weren’t going as well. The new titles and wealth meant that many abandoned him in later years to keep hold of it all.

Louis-Alexandre Berthier was perhaps the least flamboyant of the great names, yet his importance is almost impossible to overstate. The consummate chief of staff, he could translate Napoleon’s bewildering torrent of orders into a workable military system. His organisational brilliance helped make the Emperor’s operational genius possible. Berthier was not simply a subordinate; he was the indispensable instrument through which Napoleon’s mind was connected to his armies.

Louis-Nicolas Davout is in my opinion Napoleon’s ‘best’ one. Austere, exacting and formidable, he possessed the qualities of a first-rate independent commander as well as those of a superb corps leader. His victory at Auerstädt, against a Prussian force substantially superior in numbers, remains one of the great achievements of the Napoleonic Wars. Davout was not a man who needed theatrical gestures or constant applause. He had the ability, discipline and professional pride to deliver. Yet even he operated within a system in which proximity to Napoleon and the Emperor’s favour could count for almost as much as merit.

Michel Ney, the celebrated bravest of the brave, is a very different figure. Courageous to the point of recklessness, he was capable of astonishing feats of endurance and personal bravery, but his gifts did not always translate into the measured judgement required of a senior commander. There is something deeply human about Ney: the gallant soldier who craved recognition and whose relationship with Napoleon was bound up with loyalty, pride and an almost desperate desire to prove himself. It is clear today that his exposure to so much death and destruction especially in the repeat from Moscow gave him mental health problems. His extraordinary career, and its tragic ending, encapsulate much of the drama of the marshals themselves.

Then there is Joachim Murat, perhaps the most spectacularly colourful of them all. Married to Napoleon’s sister, his magnificent cavalry charges, flamboyant dress and almost theatrical personal style made him unforgettable. Murat could be breathtakingly effective when leading cavalry, but he was also vain, impulsive and susceptible to the attractions of rank and kingship. He wanted glory, certainly, but he also wanted to be his own man. His eventual estrangement from Napoleon illustrates the difficulty of reconciling personal ambition with the demands of an empire built around one man’s authority.

Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte presents an altogether different case. Independent-minded, politically astute and frequently at odds with Napoleon, he was never the most straightforward of the Emperor’s servants. His eventual elevation to the Swedish throne and his opposition to Napoleon in the later stages of the struggle make his story particularly fascinating. Here was a man who had served the Revolution and the Empire, yet ultimately chose a different destiny. His career reminds us that Napoleon’s marshals were not simply extensions of their master; they had ambitions and political instincts of their own, and some were prepared to act upon them.

What connects these men, despite their differences, is the extraordinary hold Napoleon exercised over them. He could reward, flatter, rebuke and humiliate with remarkable precision. For all their achievements, many of his marshals remained intensely susceptible to the Emperor’s approval. Men who had commanded armies, conquered provinces and acquired fortunes could still be reduced to seeking a word of praise or smarting under a public reprimand. Napoleon understood that personal loyalty could be cultivated through recognition, but also that insecurity and rivalry could be used to maintain control.

Therein lies one of the great paradoxes of his leadership. Napoleon could inspire devotion on a scale few historical figures have matched, yet he seldom seemed able to trust his senior subordinates sufficiently to allow their relationships to develop on a secure footing. He needed their talents, but he also needed to remain the central figure around whom every ambition revolved. His marshals helped build his empire, yet the rivalries he fostered made it harder to sustain a common purpose when the tide turned against him. By Waterloo, the once formidable brotherhood of arms had been profoundly fractured. It was Napoleon’s bad choices which let him short of talent here, leaving him only with Ney and Jean-de-Dieu Soult, who hated each other and were in the wrong roles.

Roberts is an ideal guide to this world. I have long admired his ability to combine extensive scholarship with a narrative that moves at the pace of the events he describes. His writing is accessible without being simplistic, and his eye for personality prevents military history from becoming merely a succession of troop movements, manoeuvres and casualty figures. He gives opinions and explanations and actually analyses the history he is telling. Surprisingly not all do this!

For me, the real fascination is that these men could be simultaneously brilliant soldiers, flawed individuals and deeply insecure courtiers. They were capable of extraordinary courage and professional achievement, yet also of jealousy, vanity and political miscalculation. Napoleon brought their talents together on an unprecedented scale, but he never entirely solved the problem of how to make such formidable personalities work together without allowing their rivalries to undermine them.

Andrew Roberts has once again demonstrated why I regard him so highly. Napoleon and His Marshals is a book that helps explain not only how Napoleon won his victories, but also why the human relationships underpinning his system proved so vulnerable. A terrific read, written with authority, insight and real narrative verve. Highly recommended.

[Liam Ostermann]

[Please note I did not write this review - it is from the UK Times Literary Supplement and I thought it particularly good and, as the book wasn't going to be available for some time I wanted more people to read this fine review. I quote from literary reviews but never award stars unless I have read the book. Thus no star here.]

Andrew Roberts is such a fine historian and writer that I cannot resist praising this book even before reading it but who could resist a work praised by The Times Literary Supplement

The tale of the unknown Corsican soldier who rose from nothing to the throne of France, and conquered Europe from the Pyrenees to the gates of Moscow, only to lose it all, is an epic of such drama that, in over two hundred years, only one person has managed to make it boring. Heaven knows how Ridley Scott managed it. Andrew Roberts does a much better job with this new book, which rattles along like a gun carriage charging into action. It is of course a familiar story, not least to Roberts himself. In 2014 he wrote Napoleon the Great, which made the case for bracketing his subject with Alexander, Peter and Frederick. That was a full biography which portrayed Napoleon in action, both on the battlefield and in the council chamber as a civilian lawgiver. It showed his genius in full context, the only way to make proper sense of his whole tragic arc, through hubris to eventual nemesis.

Napoleon and his Marshals returns to this monumental tale. The twist this time is that while of course Napoleon remains in the spotlight, he now shares the stage with the twenty-six men whom he installed as marshals of France. These were the most senior generals in the French army, the men who had helped him rise and who sustained him in his glory. It was a group that reflected the changes wrought by the Revolution. Before 1789, only aristocrats could reach senior ranks in the army of the king. Now, a mere six of the twenty-six came from noble backgrounds. Among the others were the sons of stonemasons, tenant farmers, coopers and innkeepers. Eleven had risen from the rank of private. Some, like Murat, Marmont and Berthier, had been at Napoleon’s side almost from the beginning of his meteoric rise. Others had proved their talent and loyalty along the way.

For twenty years, these men marched and fought, plundered and shagged their way across Europe. All were young: the average age on appointment was only thirty-nine. All were men of war, soldiers with the courage, wit and luck to survive the lethal politics of the Revolution as well as the bloodiest battles of the age. Almost all had been wounded in action at least once. Nicolas Oudinot held the record with thirty-two times. These were men of strong character: tough, competitive and ruthless. They were fast on their feet and with their fists, and they bubbled with self-belief. Their thirst for glory was rivalled only by their greed for money and lust for other men’s wives. Pride and passion led to fiery relationships. Deep hatreds and contempt came between them at least as often as friendships and professional respect bound them together. Napoleon showered them with titles, honours and cash but also played them off against each other in a deliberate game of divide and rule. One minute he flattered, the next chastised, never leaving any doubt about who was in charge.

One drawback of this approach was that many of the marshals never developed the capacity for independent command that became increasingly necessary as Napoleonic armies expanded into the hundreds of thousands of men under arms. Some of the marshals did well on their own, but most never progressed beyond acting as effective subordinates under Napoleon’s supervision. Another, eventually fatal, disadvantage was that Napoleon made unnecessary enemies of them. By 1814 he had treated pretty much every one of the marshals with sufficient contempt to undermine their loyalty. Eventually, when Paris fell to the Allied armies, they turned on him, refusing to fight on and dooming him to exile on the island of Elba. When he escaped and began the campaign that led to Waterloo, only six of the surviving marshals rallied to his tricolour.

No doubt by 1814 many of the marshals were as tired of Napoleon’s jibes as they were of war, and that contributed to their mutiny. Rational calculation of the odds against military success also played a part. Perhaps, however, the marshals’ decision also reflects the weakness upon which the whole Napoleonic edifice was built and which ended up destroying it. The French empire was like a giant Ponzi scheme, every day desperate to find new losers to steal from in order to pay off yesterday’s debts. As long as Napoleon kept fighting and winning, and the bubble kept inflating, the promise of greater gloire and loot kept men like the marshals motivated. When the process went into reverse after the disastrous retreat from Moscow, however, it rapidly spiralled downward.

Napoleon was not the first bling-obsessed national leader to treat his closest aides and allies with contempt, and he was demonstrably not the last. But Roberts is not in the facile comparison game. He judges Napoleon on his own terms, as a man of his time, not ours. Working largely from Napoleon’s own correspondence, and from ground knowledge of the battlefields he fought upon, he has crafted a lively work of unashamed military history. Roberts knows that the only way to understand Napoleon, and especially his relationships with his marshals, is to study them at war. First and last, these men were soldiers, defined by, and embodying, war in all the new horror unleashed by the whirlwind of the Revolution. Roberts gets the level of military detail just right, giving us enough to understand what happened without overwhelming us with minutiae. Excellent maps help, as does an eye for detail. The Napoleonic era forms one of the most vibrant of history’s pageants, and as the colourful parade passes us by, Roberts proves an engaging Dimbleby in our ear, highlighting the features that we must not miss, and occasionally tossing in diverting titbits. I never knew that El Cid’s skull had been stolen, for instance. Now I know the identity of the thief.

The history teacher at Milbourne Lodge, Mr Worton, filled my schoolboy head with the heroics of hussars and Napoleon’s marshals and thereby did more than anyone to inspire me to become a historian. He would have loved Napoleon and his Marshals. There is no higher praise. If, like me, you still thrill to such stories, you will enjoy it too.

[William Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just completed my read of "Napoleon and His Marshals: Victory, Rivalry, Betrayal," by Andrew Roberts. This fine study of Napoleon and the rather strained relationship between himself and his Marshals, and the various kinds of patronage and familial or clan relationships which bound them and separated them from each other was graciously provided to me in the form of an ARC from the Avid Readers Press imprint of Simon & Schuster. It examines the complex political, social and cultural consequences of the First Consul's revival of the practice of actively promoting distinguished military leaders to the rank of Marshals of France, roughly equivalent to a British Field Marshal or an American 5 star general. These men became the greatest prop of the Napoleonic Empire and eventually its greatest liability. They were drawn from every social class, as one might expect following the French Revolution, and were marketed, not least by the Emperor, as the triumph of Revolutionary Merit over Aristocratic Privilege, and to a marked degree, that is an accurate if somewhat simplistic characterization. The book details the complex familial relationships, all of which featured Bonaparte himself as the paterfamilias presiding over courtships, matches and morality as well as incessant warfare. The portrait of Imperial France which emerges is fascinating, especially for readers not well versed in the events of the time. I was reminded time and again of comparisons which are readily apparent and fairly leap out at any one with some knowledge of modern history in states such as Nazi Germany. The cult of the personality runs like a tenuous thread through both Imperial France and the Third Reich. Ruthless efficiency and bureaucratic ineptitude combine to illustrate the follies of trying to create viable and long lasting institutions on the quicksand of the individual foibles of their creators. The book is divided between the early emergence of Bonaparte as a counterpoint to the excesses of the Revolution, to the ways in which the military structure, based as it was on personal patronage and loyalty as well as material rewards gradually collapsed as the Empire's military fortunes declined and the carefully crafted facade of a monolithic well oiled machine fell away under external and internal pressures. The subtitle says it all: Victory, Rivalry, Betrayal. The text is well written and thoroughly documented. It certainly belongs in every academic library, and because of the author's clear exposition, it is accessible to far less specialized audiences. Well done!

[Lachlan Finlayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have greatly enjoy the author’s excellent podcast, ‘Secrets of Statehood’, so was delighted to be given access to his new book via NetGalley. I am a novice when it comes to Napoleon and his times, so this book fills numerous gaps in my knowledge and understanding. I think most readers of History, regardless of their prior knowledge, will find ‘Napoleon and His Marshals’ an interesting, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable book. I must admit I have not quite finished it, but have read enough to recommend it highly. And of course, the outcome is well known, so the direction and conclusion is not going to be a surprise.

The events the author describes are fascinating, as are the people. Be they military, royalty, politicians or civilians. Also playing a role are the families, friends and allies as well as the enemies, rivals and foes. The events take place over wide geographic areas, France of course, but also the Middle East, Europe and beyond. The British are a presence throughout, militarily, politically and economically. The author provides appropriate background information so the less informed reader (such as me…) can understand the context of events, peoples actions and the significance of outcomes.

It is a book I didn’t want to end. Reading each chapter, slowly, carefully, savouring the details, the characters and the perhaps ancillary, but wonderful anecdotes. The reader will come to know the history and context that brought Napoleon to power, understand his vision, relationships with his Marshals and his ambitions. Also his views on social etiquette regarding invitations to grand Balls arranged by his wife ! Midway through the book, after recounting yet another example of Napoleon’s micro-management, the author rightly concludes:

“Napoleon was a genius, but an exhausting man for whom to work”

As for the Marshals, they are an interesting selection of colleagues, friends, family (via marriage) and nemeses. A diverse group in numerous ways including age, experience, skills, temperament, upbringing, loyalty, politics, religion and education. Interestingly Class played little role in selection. The author notes:

“Of the final twenty-six marshals, ten were officers in June 1791, ten were non-commissioned officers or other ranks, and six were civilians.”

Initially Napoleon designates fourteen Marshalls immediately upon becoming Emperor, plus some honorary positions. Another eight were added during his reign. Their longevity is surprising, given the Marshals direct participation in numerous battles, plus the commonplace diseases and infections that greatly increased mortality. These were undoubtably great men in one way or another, almost but not quite immortal.

This is a substantial book of some 700 pages, but certainly not a long or arduous read. Given the characters, the times, the geography, the battles and so on, it needs to be lengthy to avoid superficial coverage of events. But most importantly, the length is required so the reader can understand and really get to know not only the Marshals, but also their family members, adversaries and many other participants in European life and of course the Napoleonic Wars. And always in the background, sometimes the foreground are the British…

My knowledge of the times was slight. The book resolves my inadequacies with earlier chapters that chronicles the French Revolution and the years following as Napoleon’s fame grows via his military exploits and self-promotion. Napoleon is undoubtedly the central figure in this book, but it is perhaps because of the Marshals that we remember Napoleon so vividly today. As they are introduced by the author it is a little daunting to keep track of who is who. But somehow the reader is provided details and is soon able to distinguish between these men; the organisers, the bureaucrats, the men of action, the strategists, the old soldiers, the young contenders and of course the ‘bravest of the brave’. The Marshals relationships are crucial for what is to come. With Napoleon, each other, families, friends and subordinates. In addition to military matters, the rivalries, friendships, ambitions and private lives all play a role in Napoleon’s career. The author’s research, knowledge and writing style allows the reader to become acquainted with and to some extent understand these men. Some are likeable, others less so. All are remarkable and essential to bring about Napoleons vision; for himself, France, Europe and beyond. One cannot hope to wish them well.

It is well into the book, following conflicts throughout France and Europe, and the deaths of astonishingly large numbers of people, that a Marshal finally succumbs to battlefield danger and dies. It is surprisingly moving when it happens, and speaks to the quality of the authors writing that this deceased man, with all his qualities and faults, is gone. No longer part of the story. A loss to Napoleon, but also to the reader. A Marshal the reader has come to know, perhaps not necessarily like, but understand, respect and acknowledge as a person who deserves his place in history. The first but not the last.

This is a book to be enjoyed on many levels. It is certainly a book on French history, politics and revolution. The conflicts between the rich and powerful, monarchy and religion, and inevitably between countries. It is equally a book on the Napoleonic Wars, throughout Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Napoleon had plans to march on London. The author explains how those were swiftly thwarted by the British Navy. The book takes the reader through each major conflict chronologically. The objectives, strategies, battles, outcomes, and the roles of the Marshals and others involved. Legends are examined. Myths challenged and sometimes exposed.

The author used many contemporaneous accounts, often written by men who were there or at least were well informed. The atmosphere and physical surrounding are conveyed, adding an element of almost ‘being there’. Sensing the heat, the cold, hardships and danger, occasionally the luxury. Helpfully for the author and now the reader, these were men, especially in the case of Napoleon, who wrote frequently and copiously. Military orders, accounts, instructions, memoirs, and so on. Also much private correspondence; including letters to family, friends and colleagues. Often opinionated writing that is fascinating to read, honest and forthright, probably not intended for public consumption. Unless it was; a disgruntled writer attempting to right a perceived wrong. The reader will learn much about Napoleon and his Marshals from the written word. Adding depth and richness to these remarkable men and the times in which they lived.

Much use is made of accounts by previous historians as well as accounts by Napoleon himself, interviewed while in exile on St Helena. Napoleon and his Marshals were men of strong opinions and vented often, formally and informally. As did their wives, mistresses, colleagues and others. The author uses all these sources, but given the self-interest inherent in many, he helpfully offers his own assessment of the authenticity and veracity of their views. Falsehood and inaccuracies are identified by the author. Truths are acknowledged. The author is rightly skeptical of some historical accounts, for example what was reportedly said in the heat of battle:

“One must wonder whether such noble and well-articulated remarks were really uttered at times of such stress and danger – with lead flying and men dying – or whether they were embroidered or even invented afterwards by staff officers who understood the importance of heroic myth for esprit de corps and prestige in the rest of the army.”

The military conflicts and strategies may seem complex to some readers. The various armies, commanders, strategies, geographies and locations. For those that need to understand the details, the book includes numerous helpful maps, illustrating battle sites, cities, towns, rivers and borders. For those who have less need, to some extent knowledge of such details are optional. The objectives, outcomes and actions of individuals are described in sufficient detail to drive the book forward without detailed geographic or military knowledge.

And this perhaps is another level in which this book may be read. A book about individuals. Brave, experienced, savvy and accomplished Marshals, all with certain qualities, all with faults; some more than others. The reader will like some of these men more than others, and may even form an attachment to one or two. For me Berthier stands out. The long-suffering Chief-Of-Staff to Napoleon. A man of honour and integrity, a love for France, his family and a great loyalty for Napoleon. But in many ways all the Marshals stand out in one way or another. Be it bravery, ambition, loyalty, disloyalty, appearance, avarice, greed…The Marshals, as a group, have all the qualities Napoleon needs during his rise and perhaps these same qualities, or at least their combinations and deployment, contribute just as much to his downfall.

One further level this book might be enjoyed, is as a biography of Napoleon and a history of the Napoleonic Wars. Much has been written on Napoleon, and the author makes full use of these accounts, occasionally quoting from them, without needless reassessment. ‘Standing on the shoulders of giants’, the author may, with the publication of this book, have written an account that becomes the best single-volume work defining Napoleon and the times that carry his name.

The book explores Napoleon’s character as a military and civil leader. Certainly in terms of vision, strategy, bravery, audacity and all those aspects of great leaders. But also in terms of civil organisation, hardheartedness towards subordinates, blatant nepotism, self-interest and, regarding the Marshals, wartime man-management. And micro-management. A second mention of Ball-invitation etiquette late in the book made me chuckle out loud.

It is the non-military, private-life aspect that perhaps say the most about Napoleon’s inner self. A self that today might be labelled transactional and opportunist. When Josephine did not deliver an heir for Napoleon, he simply divorced her and arranged a marriage with a much younger Austrian Duchess. An extra benefit of such an arrangement was reinforcing domination over a country that had frequently lost provinces to the French over many years of conflict.

Marshal Berthier attended the Civil wedding on Napoleons behalf. Regarding the bride, the author notes:

“Marie Louise behaved with great composure considering the age difference and the fact that she had been brought up to hate and fear Napoleon.”

Another interesting comment recounted was the unease of French soldiers who were:

“…superstitions over the loss of their lucky Josephine.”

Regardless of why a reader may engage with this book, there is much to praise. One assumes much of the source material is not in English. The author nevertheless conveys tone, nuance and even humour in the translations. The resulting English text does not come across awkward or clumsy. It is not distracting or confusing; it works.

This is not a dry, torrid recounting of history. Irony, humour, and occasionally sarcasm comes across in the text. Reflecting on seemingly ever-present Berthier:

“…few other soldiers had been a cadet at twelve, a general at thirty-nine, a private at forty, then a chief of staff and then retired again, but, unlike many of his comrades, he survived the guillotine.”

There is much detail to enjoy, particularly when the Marshals are introduced to the reader. Details that add depth and richness, and quite some colour to these military men. Describing events attributed to Augereau:

“ …the most swashbuckling of all the marshals, having worked as a footman until he lost his job for seducing a waitress, then as an infantryman in an Irish regiment of the French army at seventeen, until he killed two men in duels…enlisting in the Russian army to fight the Turks, after which he somehow wound up in the Prussian army, fighting…against the Austrians and …he deserted... He gave dancing and fencing lessons in Dresden…He then eloped with the daughter of an Athenian merchant whom he subsequently married; they moved to Portugal, where he was arrested…”

Helpfully the author adds:

“How many of them are true is impossible to say…”

On Lannes, a description that takes on more meaning many years later:

“His personal magnetism was such that he became a close friend of Napoleon, which was true of only three of the twenty-six marshals.”

And a touch of humour is introduced when Lannes meets the Pope, one biographer notes on the notoriously foul-mouthed general:

“…at least Lannes did not . . . cut loose with his habitual familiarity”

Appearance assist the reader in picturing some of these swashbuckling men. Murat:

“…described as petulant, persevering, ambitious, vain, greedy, generous and emotional. He was physically strong and handsome, with blue eyes, an aquiline nose and long chestnut curls of which he was inordinately proud. One of his many endearing failings was his penchant for flashy self-designed uniforms of velvet, feathers and fur…”

Bessières:

“Tall and slim, handsome and courteous, Catholic and conservative, he was never a revolutionary…”

The reader begins to form an image of the core group of Marshals, their appearance as well as their inner characteristics. And the group dynamics of these men. The author quotes one historian directly:

“Bernadotte quarrelled with Berthier… Ney quarrelled with the patient Bessières, and Soult quarrelled with everybody.”

The format of the book covering so many people, places, locations and events works well. The book consists of three Parts, titled Victory, Rivalry and Betrayal. Chapters are appropriately titled, dated and mostly chronological. Not overly long but nevertheless they allow the complexity of events, machinations and manoeuvring to flow smoothly and coherently. Quite an achievement for the author, given the complexity of France in particular and wider Europe at the time. A time of war with various entities becoming allies or enemies depending on circumstances. Coalitions form and disaggregate. Some Marshals become estranged from France and attached to lands conquered, pacified or allied. And always in the background, occasionally in the foreground are the British, led by Wellington. The relationships between senior leaders on opposing sides is interesting. A grudging respect. I particularly like one comment attributed to Wellington after a battle in Portugal, in which Napoleon was absent. He told the British Prime Minister, that the battle:

“…was the most difficult I was ever concerned in . . . If Boney had been there we’d have been beat.”

To conclude, this is a book to be enjoyed on many levels. The outcome may be known in advance, but the journey there is absorbing. For those readers unfamiliar with the Marshals, these men will remain in their memory for a long time. Flawed but great men. As a group, containing all the skills Napoleon required. The outcome for France and Europe could have been very different if the human condition, flaws and frailty, had not got in the way of military victories. What might Europe look like today had Emperor Napoleon not finally encountered failure ? Quite a counter-factual to consider.

As for Napoleon, he emerges from this book more flawed than I expected. Something of a Chief Executive, blaming others for failure while accepting the responsibilities for success. Creating conflict and rivalry rather than fostering team work and collaboration. This is not to diminish his undoubted military skills or his modern organisation methods. The author presents both Napoleon and his Marshals in a balanced way; nuanced and honest. The good alongside the bad. The question of Loyalty is ever-present throughout the book. Not only in military leaders but in family members as well. One poignant anecdote recounts Napoleons respect for a Marshals wife. Then mentions:

“She had her private tragedy, however: of her fourteen children, only one survived infancy”

The reader may pause and reflect on the pain and suffering of the times. A young wife entering an arranged marriage who:

“…wept bitterly during the whole ceremony.”

A reader may smile at another, more happily arranged marriage, that successfully bore the couple eight children:

“The choice of their children’s names – Paul, Joséphine, Antoinette Joséphine, Adèle Napoléone, Napoléon, Napoléon Louis, Jules and Louise Adélaïde – reflected shrewd political judgement as well as their natural loyalty.”

Still, in some ways, it is surprising the Marshals stayed loyal for so long. Titles, land and other forms of remuneration must have played a part, as well as honour and love of France. Different Marshals had different incentives and motivations. Nevertheless it is sometimes difficult to understand what these men saw in Napoleon, for so long and after so many ill-advised decisions and insults along the way. Napoleon comes across as calculating, heartless, self-interested and hypocritical. A Republican while imposing a new hierarchy, an hereditary autocracy, not quite a monarchy, but clearly a structure favouring his friends, family and above all himself.

A fascinating book on whatever level it is read. To be enjoyed. Slowly, thoroughly, pausing to take in the bravery, audacity and the atmosphere of ambition and conflict. The reader will sense the monumental changes in Europe and beyond. Will feel the heat of the Middle East and the cold of Russia as they accompany the Marshals on their quests. A truly great story of remarkable men. A fine book, deserving of whatever accolades may come its way. I wish the publisher and author great success with ‘Napoleon and His Marshals’.

[Bertrand Chaline · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Any new release by Lord Roberts of Belgravia, arguably the best current biographer in the English language, is bound to be an event - even more so, as far as I’m concerned, when said release is a continuation of sorts of his excellent work on Napoleon. The Marshals of the Empire are obviously a fascinating bunch, so the margin for error and redundancy wasn’t exactly slim, but even so I’m pleased to report that this is another homerun by Lord Roberts. His chronological and overview of the « maréchaux » as an ensemble star-cast is what sets his approach appart from the works of Garnier, Jourquin, Hulot, Houdecek, Favier or Sokolov (Did I mention I’m French and grew up on Napoleonic mythology?). I use the word « star » on purpose, since what Roberts does is indeed repositioning all 26 of them as celestial bodies circling around the sun that is Napoleon Bonaparte and occasionally colliding with each other, instead of taking them individually to somehow remove a good deal of substance from their exploits and shortcomings by merely enumerating them in a vacuum. This is the story of all the Marshals AND Napoleon, when one should never be taken away from the others and vice-versa. As always, Roberts’ writing is otherwise witty and insightful, and it’s a pleasure for a Frenchman such a myself to get a British and thus original take on these characters. Just a few hiccups to report here and there (most notably chapter 11 being called « From Wagram to Tilsitt » (!!) and poor Jourdan being omitted from the last chapter) but this is another book I’d recommend to fanatics and newcomers alike !

[Melanie Green · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Napoleon and His Marshals makes Napoleon’s rise feel less like the story of one extraordinary man and more like the story of twenty-six ambitious men trying to win glory beside him. Andrew Roberts follows figures including Ney, Murat, Davout, Masséna, and Berthier while examining how their talent, rivalry, loyalty, and resentment helped build an empire and eventually helped bring it down.

At more than 700 pages, this is not light reading, but I appreciated seeing Napoleon through the people who had to carry out his plans. The personalities were often more interesting to me than the battles. Roberts shows how a leader can attract extraordinary talent and still damage the relationships he depends on most. That made the book as interesting as a study of leadership as it is as military history.

My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.