Napoleon: A Life From Beginning To End

by Henry Freeman

Napoleon This book is for anyone that enjoys crucial turning points in history. Napoleon was an unremarkable man who managed to change the entire landscape of the world 200 years ago. He has been hailed as a military genius and his victories are still studied by international armed forces to this day. Inside you will read about... - The Little Corporal - Napoleon Takes Charge - The Napoleonic Code - On the Road to Empire - A Continent Under Siege - Backroom Deals and the Division of Empire - Exile and the Napoleonic Last Stand - Everyone Wants to Rule the World Through military exploit and the Napoleonic code, he was a man who came out of nowhere and changed the world. This book describes not only how he did it, but why he did it; delve into the psychology of one of the most heroic despots ever known - Napoleon Bonaparte!

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Historical, Amazon, Biography Memoir

42 pages, Paperback

Published April 4, 2016

About the author

Henry Freeman is an author and archaeologist. He has a passion for history and loves to travel the world exploring various historical sites.

Henry graduated from the University of Cambridge with a double major in History and Archaeology and shortly after that started his career as an archaeologist.

After traveling the world getting first-hand experience with history, Henry was determined to take up his dream of becoming a best-selling author.

He decided to partner up with the newly formed publishing company Hourly History writing short, concise and straightforward history books that never takes more than one hour to read.

Reviews

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent overview

Before embarking on wider and deeper readings on a subject I feel it’s always best to establish a framework of the subject in your mind. These Hourly History essays are excellent for that. You will not get all the details you might crave but those details are for a longer work.

An essay like this grounds me in the essential moments of Napoleon’s famous life. I was introduced to battles I knew nothing about or aspects of the Napoleonic Code I wasn’t aware of. It’s a good place to begin deeper readings.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short book, which is why I chose it. I know almost nothing about history and I wanted to find out more but I didn't fancy committing to a weighty tome on the subject. As an introduction this book was great and packed quite a lot in within the few pages there were, without feeling like it was a list of dates and battles, far from it. I found it interesting and nicely written in an easy way to follow which didn't feel like homework! I would actually consider reading more on this subject on the back of this book. I would recommend if you just want to dip your toe in - it is a short history well done.

[Stephanie (Bookfever) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone in the world has got to know who Napoleon Bonaparte is. I've always taken in interest in historic military generals but I don't know a whole lot about Napoleon actually, just the basic facts about him. And that Victor Hugo wrote about the battle of Waterloo, of course. So this was a pretty interesting read.

Now this book wasn't my top favorite or anything but it was still great if you want to know more about Napoleon. The first chapter about his early life really intrigued me. And I also thoroughly enjoye the chapter of 'Exile and the Napoleonic Last Stand.'

I also can't help but compare Napoleon to Julias Caesar (I've also read the One Hour History book about him.) I feel like there were many similarities in both their lives and how they come to power, which is actually really interesting to think about.

Overall, Napoleon: A Life From Beginning To End was a good read. There's a lot of information as well as interesting facts about Napoleon's life that I didn't know before. But I think even people who are more familiar with the general will also enjoy it a lot.

[Billy Leon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not overly impressed with this book. Napoleon Bonaparte was a complex individual. To tell his story effectively I don't believe can be done in the slightly over one hour and fifteen minutes of reading time assigned to this work. It is hardly a "Cliff Notes" version of his life's work. It does not give justice or hardly mentions several important events in his life. It just basically outlines and skims across the surface with absolutely no detail. For example, as far as the book is concerned, he married Josephine, and then divorced her ten years later, with no real effort to tell the story of the years in between. The epitome of his life, the Battle of Waterloo, is almost presented as an afterthought. The book bears no mention of the retreat to Paris, from Moscow. There is hardly any mention at all of Wellington, who would be one of the key antagonists of Napoleon's military might. For the reader interested in learning about who Napoleon really was, will require reading from another source. I was interested in dates, numbers, casualties, the reasons behind alliances, as well as the reasons behind the conflicts. Most of this information is simply missing here. If your looking for something to fill a book report, this work might suffice. However, if you truly have a want or need to learn about who Napoleon was and the things that affected his life, then this work would be a waste of your time.

[Ajit Panicker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awesome short read on the Great Napolean

This was a quick , nasty and fiery biography on Napolean Bonaparte. A man of great will and determination enfused with undying attitude to never give up in life, till the very last breath of his life.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've all heard of Napoleon, but how did he rise to power, and what ever became of him? What happened to the the French revolution? Good info. Easy read.

[chris hoban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthwhile synopsis

For non history buffs, this is a well written a d interesting synopsis of the life and driving motivations of Napoleon Bonaparte.

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very worth reading.
***

At the end in concluding chapter author deals with a criticism, really abusive maligning, that was flinged at him, relentlessly.

"It is often argued that Napoleon was a megalomaniac and narcissist, full of himself and his own selfish desire to rule the world. ... "

Needless to say, there's no reason to believe this last was based on any documents he signed confessing such desires, unless forced by his enemies - and then only so that they don't destroy France. This therefore is all accusations flung at him, more from reasons that had to fo with accusers than either anything intrinsic to Napoleon.

Author deals with it by giving some ameliorating arguments, rather than meeting the accusations head on. But it takes only a little moment of quiet to have light dawn and see things clearly.

First and foremost, as someone wise used to say, if not Napoleon - a conqueror of his known world - then who does deserve to have an ego, little men occupying clerical positions across government offices?

And they do, too, have egos, without a millionth of the humongous capabilities of Napoleon’s persona and achievements, which are reflected in love and reverence that people of France had for him even while he lived.

But far more relevant is the context of these malignant accusations, of history of Europe, and background of his life and achievements.

Europe was not only riddled with a filthy caste system that merely was changed the label of subsequently, just so India would be branded fraudulently as casters, but unlike India's, European caste system was irrevocable except by royal decree, and that last could only change things upto a point. Things aren't different despite monarchies falling like a house of cards during WWI, gor that matter.

So Napoleon was accused of all this only because he wasn't born royal - and considering some wishes of such royals in current times, one need not deplore that - while the various kings, emperors, and men of church - especially those of church of Rome - were equated with Gods, even officially so.

The reason they resented him was not that he conquered, but that his royal antecedents were not known if any, and nonexistent as far as anyone knew.

So those who accused him do not mind popes, bishops et al on one hand and kings, princes et al on the other, thinking they were Gods - and acting accordingly, amassing wealth from robbing colonies and subjecting the said colonies to genocides, but a Napoleon must be humble because of being not born royal, nor a monk?

Hypocrisy, thy name is Europe.
****

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most written about, dissected, analyzed, and occasionally demonized character in history is undoubtedly Napoleon Bonaparte. Master on the battlefield, expert in organization, and a specialist at diplomacy, Napoleon made his mark on both Europe and the world. He is the founder of an age, much shorter than Queen Victoria’s, a half a century later, but just as profound and intense.
Oddly enough, like Adolph Hitler (Austria), Joseph Stalin (Georgia), Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica, a territory claimed by France. Unlike the first mentioned, Bonaparte’s stranglehold over Europe left many improvements in its wake.
He was born in Ajaccio, Corsica on August 15. 1769. At the age of nine, Napoleon traveled to France and was enrolled in one of France’s most prestigious military schools, the College of Brienne. Ten years later he left the school and as one of the youngest commissioned officers in an artillery unit in Valence. This was the beginning of one of the top military organizers, strategists, and leaders of modern history. To say that opportunity and luck didn’t play a role in his career, would be a gross falsehood, but his abilities and ambitions would also play a vital role in his hegemonic status in Europe.

I have always been fascinated with both the life and times of Bonaparte. It was an age of turmoil, enlightenment, and change. Napoleon has often been called a megalomaniac and narcissist but he was much more than that. His civil, educational, and military organization skills are second to none. After his final defeat at Waterloo and subsequent banishment to the island of St. Helena, countless innovations initiated by him were still in place, and have remained so even today. This is a very short synopsis of a man and life that is comprised of many layers. I really enjoyed this book.

[Young Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book describes fairly well about Napoleon’s life-time struggle as a minority from tiny island Corsica, stuck between Italy and France, along with his dramatic path towards the power and fall. But the book makes one huge mistake: It suddenly moves from Russian campaign in 1812 to Napoleon’s abdication and exile to Elba in 1814 without any explanation, not even a simple chronological course of events in-between them.

As a matter of fact, throughout our Human history, many empires have fallen after their most ambitious military campaign failed; not to mention the one of Napoleon’s we’ve just learned about, one of the world empires built in modern-day China, Sui Empire, did collapse after its grand campaign over the hegemony of the ancient Far East region, and so did Toyotomi's regime in Japan after its invasion of the continent failed.

The reason’s clear because a long war without any success only makes the invading country people mad due to their burden of excessive tax and physical sacrifice in military service in a foreign soil, which makes them stay far away from their home, family and daily work for living.

But after Napoleon's failure of his Russian campaign the author mentions nothing about the angry French people's sentiment, but only their never-dying love of Napoleon.

There are also many rules that didn't perish after a disastrous military campaign like Tang Taizong's invasion of [ancient] Coree'o (Co Dynasty), Khitan-Liao Emperor's disastrous failure in [medieval] Coree'o (Wang Dynasty), Persian Empire of Darius I and his son Xerxes after their ambitious war on Greece, and so forth.

Therefore, it is not clear if Napoleon's failure in Russia was the real reason for his downfall. The book doesn’t even mention about anything happened in that period leaving a big, disappointing hole in this significant event of our history.

Nevertheless, the value of the book is priceless: Let’s explore and take a look at some important facts and lessons we learn from this book page by page. From this point, anyone who really wants to see a new approach in fresh analysis of history events is welcome to proceed.

You can read the full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

[Prakhar Prateek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Napoleon Bonaparte, a competent general, who started with little, became the emperor of France. Though ridiculed by many, he has set of impressive accomplishments including the Napoleonic code, military advancements and strategies, etc.
One of the few who could challenge the might of British Empire.
He was an pragmatic man instead of being a idealist one. Whether it was aligning himself with Jacobins and robespierre brothers, or making various treaties.
He received the reverence of his soldiers even in situations where defeat was a virtual certainty. And is known to inspire soldiers to fight armies much larger than his own and come out with paltry number of death on his side.
One of the most studious, charismatic and powerful person of France.

[J Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first bio I have read of Napoleon, and I learned a few things. First, he was not French, but was born on the island of Corsica. I never knew he divorced Josephine because she couldn’t give him children. I had always thought they were sweethearts to the end. He was a violent warrior and was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people; a megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur. The concluding chapter with its perspicacious conclusions, speculating about what Napoleon could have become if French (and other) circumstances had been different, is most interesting and illuminating.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite what I was hoping for. I wanted something that would help me get a decent understanding of why Napoleon was such a big deal. This book had plenty of dates and accomplishments but they were just kind of loosely strung together with no real sense of why each event was important and many things that might have helped it make sense were flat out missing.
I guess I am really looking for a history of Napoleon with an actual story line that flows from one scene to another and lets me know and understand the characters and political and social environment involved. This book could almost have been a bullet list.

[Leah Angstman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very quick and undetailed overview of Napoleon's military career (not so much his life, despite what the title says). Quite Napoleonic-centric, almost apologist. Skims a lot of important things and leaves the impression that Napoleon was some sort of victim of his circumstances, which is ... eh. Gives some odd reasonings for occurrences that simplify motives and results to the point of almost dangerous revisionism. Only to be read for the briefest nonscholarly gist of Napoleon's military career, and for very little past that.

[Bonnie Gleckler Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Napoleon Bonaparte was definitely a contender. A well educated Corsican who was sent to France at the age of nine to attend military school. The sense of self he discovered there made him into a military genius.
From Commander to General to Emperor, his was a life that has gone down in the annals of history. He has been will continue to be recognized by his bame and his accomplishment for infamy

[EvilWebBoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Napoleon: A Life From Beginning To End
I've been meaning to read more about Napoleon Bonaparte.
I was reading The Room in the Dragon Volant by J. Sheridan Lefanu and this takes place after the battle of Waterloo, so I wanted to brush up on French / British relations which is a theme in the book.
Very well organized like all the books in the "From Beginning to End" series.

[Chandrashekar P · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the most pathetic books about a legend. about one of the greatest warriors. Looks like it has been picked up as bits and pieces from various articles about Napolean and strung together as a book. IT has no character sketch, no insights on what made him one of the greatest strategists and warriors, what made him a great leader.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting, brief look at the life of Napoleon. I was only cursorily aware of his life and history, so for me it was quite informative. I can’t say whether the information contained in this book would be informative to someone who’s spent any real time researching Bonaparte in the past, but most of it was new and interesting to me.

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Napoleonic Overview

It’s difficult to cover a life in a short biography-particularly a major player in history. You’ll get a baseline set of information on Napoleon’s life, rise and fall - with a touch on the military history that intertwines his personal life. It will whet the appetite for more.

[John Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

a nice and small introduction

The book is a fast read that will give you a brief understanding of the man and ability. Truly a revolutionary, he suffered from his attempts in some cases and gloried in his successes. I guess you either loved him or hated him. There was no middle ground with Napoleon.

[Priyanka Hooda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short description for big man

Only problem is that it is very short. One get to know a little bit, not much about the man or strategies. But good enough to give a basic overview. Impact of his rule is not highlighted enough.

[Gaurav Prasade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small History

Small history of Napoleon. Quick and crisp read, simple writing. Dosent dwell too much in details about the war but events that lead to the rise and fall of his empire.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Knowledge

I really enjoyed the new tidbits I didn't know before about Napoleon. In history books they made it seem like he was nothing but a jerk. This didn't make him look at all bad.

[Randolph Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Napoleon Was One of the Greatest Military Leaders of All Time

In this brief biographical book on Napoleon, I learned great deal about his earlier life and his major military campaigns. He came from almost nothing and became Emperor of France, a great accomplishment.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazing person!

[Thilotham R Kolanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice free ebook

This is a very nice ebook,I always loved hourly history there books improve our knowledge base and teach us humanities

[Prakash Raut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

A historical book indeed. A great and interesting to read. I like it short and sweet language. One must read it.

[John Schilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and well done.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I love these short reads they're concise and to the point yet they really give you a real picture of the life of Napoleon.

[Simple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced

Every event in this fairly short book has been explained well enough , and this is well paced written and pushing us to read further about napoleon!

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

For what it is, this book gives a nice summary of Napoleon's life and covers all the basics. If you need a crash course overview, it does a good job.