Mind of Napoleon: A Selection of His Written and Spoken Words

by J. Christopher Herold

This collection of written and spoken statements of Napoleon serves not as an historical record or analysis, but as insight into the mind and character of a fascinating historical figure. It demonstrates the luminous strength and almost supernatural power of Napoleon’s mind, displaying an exceptional energy in thought as well as action.

The selections are edited and organized topically to offer a broad range of subjects—from “The Human Heart” to “The Art of War”—and to establish a coherent, unified pattern, providing a fresh perspective on the genius of Napoleon.

The sources used fall into three (1) Napoleon’s writings, including autograph manuscripts and dictations of letters, orders, decisions, bulletins, proclamations, newspaper articles, memoirs, commentaries, etc.; (2) Napoleon’s oral opinions as given at the Conseil d’Etat, including stenographic transcripts, official minutes, and unofficial notes taken by various councilors; (3) recorded conversations and reminiscences of Napoleon’s contemporaries from about 1800 to 1821.

Genres: History, Biography, Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction, Self Help, Leadership

391 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1955

About the author

J. Christopher Herold (1919-December 10, 1964) was born in Czechoslova­kia of Austrian parents. The family moved to Germany in 1939, and shortly afterwards Herold emigrated to the United States.

Herold received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Columbia University. Fluent in 6 languages, he served with Army intelligence in World War II. After the war, he became assistant editor at Columbia University Press, and later editor-in-chief at the Stanford University Press.

Herold wrote a number of books on European history, such as “The Swiss Without Halos” (1948), “Joan, Maid of France” (1952), “The Mind of Napoleon” (1955), and “Mistress to an Age: A Life of Madame de Staël” (1958).

Herald died in New York at the age of 45.

Reviews

[Max · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a compilation of quotes supposedly attributed to Napoleon, they are all taken completely out of context, and rearranged in generic themes. The author, like many other authors of Napoleon, think its ok to sit back in their studies and critique one of the greatest men that ever lived. If J. Christopher Herold read just a little about the history of Napoleon, he might have noticed that Bourrienne, Napoleon's private secretary, stole from the treasury and was fired. He then became an avid critique of Napoleon, supported the Royalist movement, and wrote a scathing memoir about Napoleon shortly before entering an insane asylum. Sorry if I find these "quotes" attributed to Napoleon, recorded by the likes of Bourrienne, doubtful. This was a time of political warfare, there are countless accounts of royalists trying to portray Napoleon as a despot for their own self-aggrandizement, but I have no idea why historians still consider them historically accurate.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nowadays, few realize how tersely eloquent and psychologically astute Napoleon was. This book demonstrates that he was a lucid, if deeply cynical, political thinker greatly influenced by Machiavelli and all of the ancient Greek and Roman historians.

[Timothy]

With only basic knowledge of Napoleon, and the presence of his enigma, I was captured by the spirit and eloquence in his writing. Even through translation there is poetry in his writing, and the human experience is represented poignantly and unforgivingly in his deeply personal memoirs. Moving.

[Xenophon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a table-talk style piece. A pointillist way of getting to know the man, as journal entries, correspondence fragments, newspaper clippings, second-hand anecdotes, and more are topically arranged to get his (sometimes contradictory) views on the big subjects.

If I were to summarize the Napoleon I got to know in these pages, it is a man who knew how to leverage circumstance to the fraction. He was a master gambler and planner. This is why think he made history and an enduring impact without managing to remain an Emperor.

Also, Napoleon was not really much of a break from the norm of monarchs of the time except for being a Corsican upstart. He fit the mold of an Enlightened Despot perfectly and that is, perhaps, the key to his quick rise and roughly fifteen years of absolutist power. The people of Europe were ready for a man of his ilk, because they had lived under his predecessors for a generation. He would have much more in common with Frederick the Great than Joseph Stalin for example.

As such, there is a lot to learn about his times and all times in these pages. There is also a lot of value in seeing how a genius can miscalculate. It is a shame he could never cross the ocean himself to meet with the American Founding generation. The collision of atoms comes to mind.

I am about to read two very large books on Napoleon and found this to be a nice appetizer.

[Ruben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Napoleon’s thoughts reveal a man whose mental acuity matched his military genius. His reflections range from geopolitical predictions, to religion, to technology, to ancient generals, the nature of love and marriage, and the pursuit of greatness. What strikes the most to anyone who is able to read Napoleon's thoughts directly was his self-awareness, despite his stereotyping as a little tyrant. There is, after all, a reason why he was admired by all sorts of liberal geniuses from the era: Goethe, Laplace, Stendhal, Hegel, to name a few.

The Enlightenment on horseback was much more of an intellectual than we today give him credit. And, in truth, there is a real-life tragedy to be found here. He was not a happy man, despite his conquests: “To love another you must have enough love for life to give it to others; I don't think I've ever loved, not really. Perhaps that is why I was never at peace.”.

[Juan Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of pronouncements attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, some backed by solid historical sources and others clearly based on hearsay, which weakens the overall impact. Still, it’s interesting as a window into how he (and others) wanted to present his mind and ideas to the world.

My conclusion: Napoleon was very much a man of his time. Many of his views now feel deeply outdated or even offensive (toward women, “inferiors,” and non-French people), but he genuinely seemed to believe he was the savior not only of France, but of Europe. That sense of mission and his megalomania—wanting to control everything and everyone—were also what ultimately destroyed him.

A genius of war, a sharp reader (and manipulator) of the men around him, and someone who benefited enormously from “luck”: being in the right place at the right time… although, in many ways, he also built that luck for himself.

[Julio The Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goethe wrote that Napoleon possessed the greatest mind the world had ever produced. He should know, having spoken with the Emperor after the Battle of Jena. Fidel Castro mused in his prison letters, "Napoleon knew the French inside out!". This selection from Bonaparte's letters, speeches, directives to the Grand Army and the dubious "Memoirs", written on St. Helena, attest to that assessment. Here is Napoleon on taxation, the emancipation of the Jews in Europe, bankers conspiracies, the perfidy of the English, proper diet for a soldier, and the character of Christ, "I know men, and that was no ordinary man". No subject was beneath or above him. The kind of guide to life one takes on vacation, and with a grain of salt.

[Colton Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

9.2/10

unravels one of the most enigmatic leaders in history.

wonderful because it looks at it from the lens of his thoughts rather that a historical overview.

It's like the French go rin no sho.

I can see why Sam likes

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome.

[HP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me da la impresión de que ya conozco a Napoleon.

[The_J · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing mind on dis-lay here. An agent of change on a planetary scale opened up for your examination.

[Devin]

Sam altman rec. Human psychology esp.

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of Napoleon's thoughts.