Napoleon: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #586

by David A. Bell

This Very Short Introduction might prove disappointing to those expecting an introduction to a very short man. Dispelling the myth of Napoleon Bonaparte's short stature, as well as the other rumors and legends, David A. Bell provides a concise, accurate, and lively portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte's character and career, situating him firmly in historical context.This book emphasizes the astonishing sense of human possibility--for both good and ill--that Napoleon represented. By his late twenties, Napoleon was already one of the greatest generals in European history. At thirty, he had become absolute master of Europe's most powerful country. In his early forties, he ruled a European empire more powerful than any since Rome, fighting wars that changed the shape of the continent and brought death to millions. Then everything collapsed, leading him to spend his last years in miserable exile in the South Atlantic. Bell underscores the importance of the French Revolution in understanding Napoleon's career. The revolution made possible the unprecedented concentration of political authority that Napoleon accrued, and his success in mobilizing human and material resources for war. Without the political changes brought about by the revolution, Napoleon could not have fought his wars. Without the wars, he could not have seized and held onto power. Though his virtual dictatorship betrayed the ideals of liberty and equality, his life and career were revolutionary.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, France, European History, French Revolution, Military History

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2018

About the author

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

David A. Bell is the Sidney and Ruth Lapidus Professor in the Era of North Atlantic Revolutions at Princeton University and the author of several previous books, among them The First Total War and Shadows of Revolution.

Reviews

[max theodore · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book gets an automatic 5 stars for being the perfect size to carry around in my coat pocket during gym class. i mean, it gets 5 stars anyway for being informative + readable + very interesting (+ it DID help me understand war and peace a little better!), but, like, the gym class thing was pretty important to me also

--

2024: reading this to understand war and peace // reading this to understand les miserables

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

🇫🇷 🗡️ Napoleon is with us still in what he left behind politically and militarily. France still has roots in him and Europe as well. On the one hand, a ruthless tyrant, on the other, a catalyst for change, deserting the old ways to build something new. This short book will help you think about it all. Recommended.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable to read and accessible introduction of Napoleon Bonaparte's life.

[Tim J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but very short.

[Crimson 786 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Napoleon Bonaparte; the god of war.. in him Karl Von Clausewitz saw the wondrous trinity epitomised. Modern theorists, academics and practitioners of warfare, can not escape the phenomenon of Napoleon. Jena-Auerstadt, Ulm-Austerlitz are classics of Napoleonic warfare but the battles fought in Italian campaign, Egypt and Russia are equally important. Somehow history focuses on glory to make heroes and celebrate them. Alternately human failures are used to create new heroes or destroy the previous ones. Napoleon’s story is not much different in this regard. His political career is seen and portrayed as a disaster, ignoring that he was a product of revolution, emperor of republic and a ruler adored by his people. One man up against all European royals… it took 7 coalitions to tear him down. But has he been destroyed? The legend lives on… the last flight of the eagle from St Helena to les invalides has made him an immortal.

[Hank Hoeft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent example of the attraction of the Very Short Introduction series--this slim volume has more information than an encyclopedia article, but less than a full-blown detailed biography. Napoleon: A Very Short Introduction doesn't just include biographical information; Napoleon's life is set within the context of his time. The author makes the case that a large part of Napoleon's success came not just from his military and administrative genius, but from what was going on in the world at the time--the time was perfect for him and his very particular skills set.

[Jason Ray Carney · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting VSI. The introductory and concluding chapters are most intriguing. They give the impression of a sober assessment of Napoleon's treatment by historians in the recent past and today. The chapters that chronicle Napoleon's life are inevitably schematic: the main events are enumerated and an occasional anecdote is included. Bell doesn't seem to take this VSI (or the book it was based on) as a opportunity to put in his oar. "As advertised": a very short introduction to Napoleon.

[Scott Mitchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well structured, well written short biography. Napoleon's life, campaigns and key battles are covered with sufficient detail allowed by the format and a healthy discussion of the differing view points and biases surrounding Napoleon. The narrative structure of the book makes it an extremely easy and enjoyable read but with the rigour and quality expected from the VSI series.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching the biographical film ‘Napoleon’ left me in urgent need of information to fill in some of the many gaps. This short biography answered many of my questions and, more importantly, put his astonishing rise to power into a meaningful context. For me, it was a useful companion piece to the film.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of Napoleon's life and achievements. (Read for class)

[Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding a biography on Napoleon is a bit overwhelming. Really enjoyed this primer, to help me sort through some of the sources out there.

[Cathleen Sarti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, a good short overview on Napoleon, considering him from various approaches. Maybe a bit less on his domestic and legal reforms compared to the intense discussion of his foreign politics and military campaigns. Either way, well balanced and a good starting point.