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Napoleon For Dummies
Explains his influence on the military, law, politics, and religion
Get the real story of Napoleon Bonaparte
Not sure what's true about Napoleon? This easy-to-follow guide gets past the stereotypes and introduces you to this extraordinary man's beginnings, accomplishments, and famous romances. It traces Napoleon's rise from Corsican military cadet to Emperor of the French, chronicles his military campaigns, explains the mistakes that led to his removal from power, and explores his lasting impact on Europe and the world.
Discover
* How Napoleon built -- and lost -- an empire
* The forces that influenced him
* Why he created the Napoleonic Code
* The inside story on Josephine
* How he helped shape modern-day Europe
Get the real story of Napoleon Bonaparte
Not sure what's true about Napoleon? This easy-to-follow guide gets past the stereotypes and introduces you to this extraordinary man's beginnings, accomplishments, and famous romances. It traces Napoleon's rise from Corsican military cadet to Emperor of the French, chronicles his military campaigns, explains the mistakes that led to his removal from power, and explores his lasting impact on Europe and the world.
Discover
* How Napoleon built -- and lost -- an empire
* The forces that influenced him
* Why he created the Napoleonic Code
* The inside story on Josephine
* How he helped shape modern-day Europe
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
17 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 12, 2021
Napoleon is recognized as one of the great people of action of history and yet his story is often too remote, too unfamiliar and with too little connection to the ken of Americans for them to know much more about him than his name and nationality. For those seeking an understanding of his life, careers and importance, “Napoleon For Dummies” is the go-to volume.
It is organized into 26 chapters. The first 16 are generally arranged chronologically from his youth on Corsica through his military and political careers. The next seven address various accomplishments that justify his place in history while the final three suggest battlefields to visit, convey advise from the author to Napoleon and sources of further information.
I find the sections on his accomplishments to be the most interesting. The promotion of a French middle class, establishment of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, progenitor of a Polish nation state, the promulgation of the Civil Code, known as the Code Napoleon and spread of religious freedom, not only for Christian sects but also Jews and Moslems, and his beginning steps toward European unity are enduring effects of Napoleon’s rule that many of our contemporaries may assume to have always been there.
I wanted to know more about Napoleon so I have read at least four whole life or partial biographies of him. I learned a lot about their subject but nothing pulled it all together as well as “Napoleon For Dummies” has. Consistent with the “Dummies” format, information that is “Legend” or something to “Remember” is noted as such in the margins. Author J. David Markham, a renowned Napoleon scholar, has chronicled a life in easy-to-understand segments leavened with humor and wit, a lot of wit. For anyone desiring an understanding of Napoleon’s life, career and significance to the world in which we live, “Napoleon For Dummies” is the place to start.
It is organized into 26 chapters. The first 16 are generally arranged chronologically from his youth on Corsica through his military and political careers. The next seven address various accomplishments that justify his place in history while the final three suggest battlefields to visit, convey advise from the author to Napoleon and sources of further information.
I find the sections on his accomplishments to be the most interesting. The promotion of a French middle class, establishment of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, progenitor of a Polish nation state, the promulgation of the Civil Code, known as the Code Napoleon and spread of religious freedom, not only for Christian sects but also Jews and Moslems, and his beginning steps toward European unity are enduring effects of Napoleon’s rule that many of our contemporaries may assume to have always been there.
I wanted to know more about Napoleon so I have read at least four whole life or partial biographies of him. I learned a lot about their subject but nothing pulled it all together as well as “Napoleon For Dummies” has. Consistent with the “Dummies” format, information that is “Legend” or something to “Remember” is noted as such in the margins. Author J. David Markham, a renowned Napoleon scholar, has chronicled a life in easy-to-understand segments leavened with humor and wit, a lot of wit. For anyone desiring an understanding of Napoleon’s life, career and significance to the world in which we live, “Napoleon For Dummies” is the place to start.
November 21, 2012
Author has obviously been a lifetime Napoleon aficionado. Lean and mean, not too much boring detail, the format is good. Nice balance between the hard history and the inamoratas. Since the author is so well qualified, I did not mind the speculation and trivia.
I do have a gripe. Egotistical use of first person, with unnecessary lines like "As I have already explained in Chapter 13." But more a crime is deliberate bad English: "That was dumb." And ingratiating chat: "Like THAT was ever going to happen!"
I do have a gripe. Egotistical use of first person, with unnecessary lines like "As I have already explained in Chapter 13." But more a crime is deliberate bad English: "That was dumb." And ingratiating chat: "Like THAT was ever going to happen!"
July 11, 2011
This is so much better than I thought! I'm only on page 42 but I can't put it down.
October 23, 2014
Short on anecdotes and only gives the Louisiana Purchase a passing mention, but an excellent starter book for anyone wanting to know the basics about the Emperor Bonaparte.
May 2, 2020
This is the first "For Dummies" book I have ever read. It was not as bad as I feared.
It was an easy read that covered Napoleon's life. It was not just about his military career as it covered his family and reforms.
It was written in a very casual style, with several references to the author's wife, Barbara.
There were endless references to something written before or later. "As I write in Chapter 9" "As I wrote in Chapter 12." I don't know if that's the author or the series style.
The author is an unabashed fan of Napoleon. I would have preferred a more neutral presentation.
I will read more books about Napoleon but I don't think I'll read another "For Dummies" book.
p. 67: Napoleon's first girlfriend became Queen of Sweden, Queen Katerine.
p. 83: The Wars of Napoleon by Albert Sidney Britt
p. 87: Museo de la Risorgimento in Milan
p. 96: "Italians today see Napoleon as a liberator and founder of Italian unity."
p. 147: Finkenstein (As of 2020, the restoration has not happened)
p. 163: Napoleon's Lost Fleet by Laura Foreman and Ellen Phillips
p. 262: Imperial Glory: The Bulletins of Napoleon's Grand Armee, 1805-1814
p. 267: "Most people, including many opposed to Napoleon, had little to fear from the secret police."
It was an easy read that covered Napoleon's life. It was not just about his military career as it covered his family and reforms.
It was written in a very casual style, with several references to the author's wife, Barbara.
There were endless references to something written before or later. "As I write in Chapter 9" "As I wrote in Chapter 12." I don't know if that's the author or the series style.
The author is an unabashed fan of Napoleon. I would have preferred a more neutral presentation.
I will read more books about Napoleon but I don't think I'll read another "For Dummies" book.
p. 67: Napoleon's first girlfriend became Queen of Sweden, Queen Katerine.
p. 83: The Wars of Napoleon by Albert Sidney Britt
p. 87: Museo de la Risorgimento in Milan
p. 96: "Italians today see Napoleon as a liberator and founder of Italian unity."
p. 147: Finkenstein (As of 2020, the restoration has not happened)
p. 163: Napoleon's Lost Fleet by Laura Foreman and Ellen Phillips
p. 262: Imperial Glory: The Bulletins of Napoleon's Grand Armee, 1805-1814
p. 267: "Most people, including many opposed to Napoleon, had little to fear from the secret police."
August 28, 2022
Extremely detailed history of Napoleon's life
January 27, 2013
This book provided just the information I wanted: I'm getting ready to teach The Count of Monte Cristo and realized my knowledge of Napoleonic France was woefully lacking and, worse, largely understood through the filter of 19th century British writers who were not -- to put it lightly -- the most objective critics of L'Empereur.
So, insofar that I was a Napoleon dummy, the title was accurate.
The reason I didn't rate it more glowingly, though, is that the writing style is also for dummies -- and I'm not a dummy of that sort. I don't need to be told "In this chapter I will....," and I agree with the reviewer who complained about overuse of first person interjection by the author. He clearly knows his stuff and I admire his passion, but he could have expressed it without being so needlessly chatty and chummy -- it slowed down the reading process for me.
But, as I say, the information was intriguing so I kept reading. My perception of Napoleon is greatly expanded, as is my appreciation of his contributions to modern Europe and the modern world. For that, Mr. Markham, thank you.
So, insofar that I was a Napoleon dummy, the title was accurate.
The reason I didn't rate it more glowingly, though, is that the writing style is also for dummies -- and I'm not a dummy of that sort. I don't need to be told "In this chapter I will....," and I agree with the reviewer who complained about overuse of first person interjection by the author. He clearly knows his stuff and I admire his passion, but he could have expressed it without being so needlessly chatty and chummy -- it slowed down the reading process for me.
But, as I say, the information was intriguing so I kept reading. My perception of Napoleon is greatly expanded, as is my appreciation of his contributions to modern Europe and the modern world. For that, Mr. Markham, thank you.
January 26, 2016
If you are willing to know more about the man and the legacy this is the book to look for. For years I've tried to understand the complex politics and the flow of battles and campaigns surrounding Napoleonic times. This book is written in a funny way and although it is biased (the author really loves Napoleon) it is really well written and will give you not only the aspects of the life and times of Napoleon but of France and Europe as well.
If you want to know about the British perspective this is not the book for you. But if you want to have a good time and know a lot more than you knew about Napoleon don't miss it.
Written in the "dummies" style the book will allow you to skim or read, and to quickjump to other chapters without loosing the reading stream.
If you want to know about the British perspective this is not the book for you. But if you want to have a good time and know a lot more than you knew about Napoleon don't miss it.
Written in the "dummies" style the book will allow you to skim or read, and to quickjump to other chapters without loosing the reading stream.
June 5, 2012
I'm about a third of the way through the Napoleon podcast, and decided I'd better read the book J. David Markham keeps referring to. And it turns out this is a good introduction to Napoleon and his place in history. Mr. Markham is a very clear writer so it is easy to follow a complex subject. I plan to read at least one more of his books to get an even better feel for Napoleon.
July 8, 2012
The only book about Napoleon for the Kindle that handles different aspects of his life, not only wars, or politics, but several aspects.
Indeed a book for dummies, easy to read, well organized and multidimensional (life, politics, reforms, mistakes, economy, bit a humor as well)
Indeed a book for dummies, easy to read, well organized and multidimensional (life, politics, reforms, mistakes, economy, bit a humor as well)
May 11, 2014
A great read, I knew nothing about Napoleon before I picked up this book. My only knowledge regarding him was that he was supposedly a little dictator. Now I I that is far from true. Makes me want to learn more about him, especially his relationship with Josephine.
January 29, 2014
Awesome! So enlightening!
August 6, 2012
This was a good overview. It was suggested that I brush up on this history before attempting "War & Peace". So here goes......"War & Peace" ho!
October 28, 2013
An excellent book by an excellent man.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews