What Napoleon Could Not Do

by D.K. Nnuro

America is seen through the eyes and ambitions of three characters with ties to Africa in this gripping novel

When siblings Jacob and Belinda Nti were growing up in Ghana, their goal was simple: to move to America. For them, the United States was both an opportunity and a struggle, a goal and an obstacle.
 
Jacob, an awkward computer programmer who still lives with his father, wants a visa so he can move to Virginia to live with his wife—a request that the U.S. government has repeatedly denied. He envies his sister, Belinda, who achieved, as their father put it, “what Napoleon could not do”: she went to college and law school in the United States and even managed to marry Wilder, a wealthy Black businessman from Texas. Wilder’s view of America differs markedly from his wife’s, as he’s spent his life railing against the racism and marginalization that are part of life for every African American living here.
 
For these three, their desires and ambitions highlight the promise and the disappointment that life in a new country offers. How each character comes to understand this and how each learns from both their dashed hopes and their fulfilled dreams lie at the heart of what makes What Napoleon Could Not Do such a compelling, insightful read.

One of Vulture’s Best Books of 2023 (So Far)
One of Goodreads’ Buzziest Debut Novels of 2023
One of Essence’s 31 Books You Must Read This Year
One of Esquire’s Best Books of Winter 2023
One of TIME’s 12 Best Books of February 2023
One of the most anticipated books by Town & Country, Elle, and Vulture

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Africa, Ghana, Book Club

368 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 2023

About the author

DK Nnuro is a Ghanaian-born writer and is a graduate of Johns Hopkins and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He has taught novel writing at the University of Iowa and is currently curator of special projects at the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art. He lives in Iowa City, Iowa.

Reviews

[Kezia Duah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I read the description, I still wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into. However, after completing the book, I feel I can see the goals of this one.

Nnuro brings to light what America means for different people and their perspectives, which usually stem from their experiences in life. With the perspectives of Jacob, Belinda, and Wilder, each person who has had detailed different experiences, I think this is actually done well. What makes this the most interesting is the fact the novel mentions that these characters all have “ties to Africa” yet their accounts throughout the books show that this statement is much more complicated than we would think.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what I didn't like about the book, leaving me to believe it’s one of those “it’s me and not the book” situations. There was a general air of boredom as I read the book even though I’m still glad I got to read the ideas it discusses. There’s also this sense that there is more organization and better structures that need to be improved in the book, but again it’s something I can’t quite articulate. I really enjoyed the weirdness of the ending though.

I would recommend this one!

[BookOfCinz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read with an unforgettable cast of characters! An amazing debut novel from DK

We are taken to Ghana to a family meeting to dissolve a marriage, the marriage and divorce was done in absentia. What Napoleon Could Not Do opens with the families all stating whose fault it is that the divorce is happening. Jacob got married to Belinda in absentia with the hopes of getting a visa to move to America and live there. After being denied repeatedly, Belinda decides its best they divorce. Jacob met Belinda through his sister Nti who is currently living in America, married to a war veteran but is still without a green card.

Jacob is mad that he is still in Ghana struggling to get to America. Nti is enraged that America won’t give her what she wants- a green card, even though she’s done everything. Both are resentful of each other. With a death in the family, they must each decide how to move forward.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the characters and how layered they are, the situation they all find themselves in. There are diverse characters, I especially loved Jacob, the father and Nti- they each offered so much to move the plot along.

I will say the section with Wilder threw me off and I really did not care to for his part of the story. I wish those pages were used to talk more about Nti or Jacob. I did want to hear more from Nti she seemed like the standout character for me. The one thing that stood out t me are the characters and how well crafted they were- they were believable and not your typical one dimensional cast.

A very engaging read that will live rent free in your head.

[Jayden Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was so disjointed i did not care about any character’s story arc, wilder’s was the most interesting but even then didn’t sell me on the book. and i have no idea what the fuck i was supposed to feel about jacob but good to know he’s into s&m????? what??????

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the storylines and the multiple POV’s. If you liked Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi you’ll like this book!

[Damali · Rating 3 out of 5]

This debut novel primarily follows the lives of Belinda and Jacob Nti – two siblings from Ghana who have been raised to strive for America and all of the blessings it offers. While Belinda successfully immigrates to the US, achieves the highest levels of education, and marries a wealthy Black American man, she is still denied a green card at every turn. Jacob never has the opportunity to go to the US and achieve “success”, or officially meet his wife living in Virginia, and struggles with disappointment, anger, and jealousy. The desire for America, and America’s failure at rewarding those who idealize it, is a central theme for Belinda and Jacob. On the other side, we have Wilder, Belinda’s husband. He’s a Black American man who served in the Vietnam War, and has a vehement dislike of America and its treatment of black people. The idolization of America that Belinda has is unimaginable to him, and he struggles to understand why Belinda desires a green card (read: legitimacy in the eyes of America) when his wealth/business provides all she could need.

I thought this book started out strong. I was immediately engaged and felt that the storytelling was compelling and had a subtle humor I enjoyed. I didn’t really connect to Jacob, but his sections were still interesting enough. I will say his whole sexual fantasies side quest felt.......random but I can kind of understand the reasoning. Belinda’s I found more relatable, but still had emotional distance from her as well. My main struggle with this story is that I felt like the story gradually felt unfocused or too large to be contained. Wilder’s chapters fully took me out of the story, and I struggled to understand the point of the level of detail provided. His time in Vietnam was explored deeply, seemingly endlessly, and vaguely introduced aspects of mental illness or mysticism that I couldn’t fully grasp. As the book went on, and we jumped between Belinda and Jacob’s perspectives on the same events, I felt like we were talking in circles. At a certain point, it felt like the unique insights to be offered ran out, and it began to feel repetitive.

Overall, while I think the writing in this book is really polished (albeit occasionally verbose), I ended up feeling disappointed in this highly anticipated book. Watching some of the author’s interviews, I acknowledge that there are themes in this book that did not click for me so it’s entirely possible it went over my head. Would have to flip a coin to see if I'd want to read his next novel.

[Omar · Rating 1 out of 5]

really, really, not good... aka bad. we started out okay. i DID want to see what unfolded but by the end of Jacob’s section I was just like “??? that’s it ???” because ultimately he was boring as hell — even with the sexual stuff that was suppose to make him more interesting. he didn’t really develop in any interesting way. belinda was more interesting by contrast. like her section and her interactions w other women were the only parts the books were intriguing. but i am familiar with the idea of being black and ghanian-american so she didn’t really introduce me to anything i already didn’t know.

I did not give a FLYING F*** about wilder and vietnam and he like lowkey pissed me off w that section. like what the hell was that. so bored. nothing new or interesting to learn about the american war in vietnam. it lowkey felt like it was reifying some stereotypes about the war and asian women and that made me completely stop and skim the rest of the section. I skipped forward then he started repeating shit we already done talked about and i was like "no <3" so i closed the book, and ate some pasta :) so technically dnf about ~70%.

The plot is not really a plot. Like this is a story where things just be happening without them really being earned. Like people die, have sex, and have epiphanies at seemingly random times. The reoccurring symbols and themes— like light, vietnam, sex and marriage, “what Napoleon could not do” — pop up again and again like the author had a quota he had to hit and ultimately added nothing of substance to the story.

like ugh this was really disappointing !!!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in Ghana, Jacob and Belinda Nti’s goals are simple: move to America. But when Jacob’s US visa is denied for the nth time, even with his marriage to a woman living in the States, Jacob is filled with rage and jealousy of Belinda. Belinda has achieved what her father calls “what Napoleon could not do,” attending US schools and marrying a wealthy Black Texan named Wilder. Nonetheless, Belinda is still waiting for her green card after a decade.

Following three distinct characters, NAPOLEON is a brilliant work that examines the meaning of the American Dream. Nnuro paints a layered picture of how the promised land makes and breaks each one’s ambitions through the lenses of an African American, African immigrant, and Ghanaian.

I was most drawn to Belinda and Wilder’s diverging views toward America. Wilder’s fights against racism as an African American drive him to believe the US is a country that holds him back. In contrast, Belinda believes promises and bright futures America has for her. As an immigrant, I resonate with Belinda’s POV the most, but I also gravitate toward Wilder’s sentiments as I learn more about US history.

NAPOLEON is a fascinating and refreshing analysis of the potential or lack thereof of this land. While not all characters resonated with me (which is totally fine 🫶), it’s a book you’ll find glimpses of yourself as a POC, immigrant, and someone fighting to realize your own American Dream.

[Lexie Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited to read this to learn about Ghanian culture and immigration based on other African culture books I have enjoyed but this one felt really off. The writing was so disjointed it was hard to follow what the point of the book was supposed to be. I thought from the description the focus would be on the family with Jacob and Belinda as main characters but there were so many people woven in that I didn’t learn anything about Jacob except he felt lonely, liked BDSM and was suicidal… Belinda was a more interesting character but why include the chapters on Wilder except to fill chapters that did not provide any closure except he is mentally ill? I didn’t learn much about the culture except some black market trading practices and Internet cafes.

[Madeline S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book really disappointing because a) I love the cover art, b) I enjoyed the interview with D.K. Nnuro on NPR, and c) I genuinely thought a story about a Ghanaian family coming to America would be interesting, considering I rarely see African literature get the same amount of attention as its American and European counterparts. I like what What Napoleon Could Not Do was trying to accomplish, but, unfortunately, nothing within this book actually grabbed me and held my attention. There are just a lot of superficial and oddly specific details that have nothing to do with anything in the book and could have been edited down and/or out. Why are we shaming Jacob for being into S&M? What is that supposed to signify? How does it contribute to the bigger themes of the book? Hold on a minute, what actually are the themes of the book? Even the eponymous line, "What Napoleon could not do", confuses me, as I'm not sure what it is even supposed to mean or why it is so significant to Mr. Nti.

What Napoleon Could Not Do feels like a big missed high five. The characters don't mix together well. It tries to be magical realism when it doesn't need to be (while also relying on the Magical Asian trope, which is lame). I hate to say it, but I think D.K. Nnuro needed to take this back to the drawing board to tighten it up more before submitting it for publication. It should have stayed on topic and keyed in on the differing experiences of African immigrants and black people living in America. It tried way too hard to do everything passably when it should have focused on doing a couple things well.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did. The premise and characters ultimately had more potential than what was realized. The book is divided into three main sections, each dedicated to the main characters, Ghanaian siblings Jacob and Belinda, and Belinda’s American husband Wilder. Wilder’s section which covered his upbringing, time in Vietnam, and his marriage to Belinda was by far the most interesting to me. The other characters were distant and harder to form connections.

[Victoria Coe-Adegbite · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

I got 50% through this book. 7 hours worth of audio and I kept asking “why should I care about these characters?” Nothing gripping enough to keep me through the second half.

[Christine Cotton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feels like there are 2 different novels in this book. First part seemed promising, the second feels totally unrelated and the conclusion is totally obscure. Not for me.

[Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my third consecutive book read that featured a Ghanaian protagonist and it was easily the most disappointing of the three. Maame was phenomenal; Daughter in Exile was a good story; this sounded interesting, but failed to deliver.

The parts of the book devoted to Belinda were the most entertaining because she had great character development. I really enjoyed her story arc and her personality. The parts for Jacob were good, but the focus on his sexual fantasies and fetishes detracted from the story and added an unnecessary layer. The parts about Wilder were truly awful and boring.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Practically unreadable. Frankly, the author didn't put time into writing a cohesive story, so I am wary of investing time and energy into writing a sufficient review. Overall, an absolutely horrible read.

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 and rounding up to 5 and so very confused by the one-star reviews and the folks saying that there is somehow a deficit in his storytelling and writing skills. Did we even read the same book?! This was fantastic from start to finish. There is so much in this lovely book, and I have been reading all of the interviews with the author DK Nnuro that I can find to soak in it all a bit longer and to have more of a sense of his motivations. In the interview with Shondaland, this really leapt out:

"SN: Going along with this idea of reckoning with the idea of America, what do physical and spiritual ideas of home mean for these characters and for you as a writer?

DKN: I’ll speak on it personally. I do identify with all three [labels of] Black, Ghanaian, and African American. And I think it’s because of my novel. Having spent time with these characters made me so aware of how much I identify with each of them. I very much identify with Jacob’s Ghanaian desires and with his Ghanaian heartbreaks. I very much identify with Belinda’s Ghanaian American desires and her Ghanaian American heartbreaks. And the same is true for Wilder as well. I was born and raised in Ghana. I moved to the U.S. two days before my 11th birthday. Then I went to boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts. I was confronted with all kinds of wealth, including Black wealth. I didn’t even know it was a thing, I have to be honest. Even Black people who come from old money. I was young, but I was also a recent transplant, and I did find myself asking, “So, what is this thing about racism I’ve been hearing so much about if there’s so much Black wealth?” I didn’t understand that it’s about culture, and I didn’t understand that there could have been so much more Black wealth. I obviously didn’t know about the Tulsa race riots. I very much was aware of it, but I wasn’t aware of what it was in response to. Black Wall Street was destroyed. There could have been so much Black wealth."

I think that is part of the brilliance of this debut novel, is that we get to hear these three very different perspectives of what America is, and what Ghana is, and how there is a separate third perspective when you have lived in and loved both.

And then there is the Little Village review because YES, this amazing author is not only a graduate of the Iowa Writer's Workshop right here in town, but also still lives and works here - teaching writing at the University and working at the new Stanley Museum of Art, which makes so much sense, as the author of the LV review shares, "The novel is anchored by Nnuro’s keen visual sensibilities. It should come as no surprise to any reader that he currently serves as curator of special projects at the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art. Every angle into this story is a visual one, from the flowers in the Nti family’s garden to the lushness of kente fabric to the darkness of a road in a blackout.

What Napoleon Could Not Do is a deeply engaging examination of what it means to emigrate, what defines home for an immigrant and what defines family for people who have not seen each other in decades. Nnuro spins moments into landscapes and memories into tapestries, inviting the reader into the hearts of a family that struggles to understand the differences between the world they hoped for and the world that is."

https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/bo...

https://littlevillagemag.com/book-rev...

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am actually proud of myself for finishing this book. I almost DNF'd. It probably helped to keep my going that I was listening to it on audio book so I figured what the heck. It started out so strong for me and I thought I was going to love it. Then it got quite boring and even frustrating. The biggest part of my struggle was that I can't stand Wilder. Beware there are possible SPOILERS ahead.



I tried very hard to empathize with his "struggle" of being a rich black man born in America. He married a poor black girl born in Ghana. All she wanted was a green card, which she considered to be the epitome of making it and therefore doing what Napoleon Could not Do. She did love Wilder, but Wilder didn't love Wilder. He hated being a Black American. He hated white people and what they did to his people, he hated them so much that he shot and killed a horse, then burned it for the crime of being owned by a white man. Yes, this is when I gave up on Wilder. I was more interested in Patricia and Jacob anyhow, but the book never really gives you all of Jacob's story, instead in the end it kind of dips out and just makes Jacob out to be a sniveling baby who is jealous of his sister's successes. So much so, that his sister and her husband concoct a plan to make Jacob think he came up with a great idea so he can feel better about himself and bigger than his sister. Let us not even get into the Vietnam situation of Wilder following around a crazy woman he fell in love with and then letting her voice from beyond dictate the whole of his life after that. The only truly good character in the book- Alfred- is killed off in order to get the rest of the family to come to the conclusions they need to, so in all, I guess it really is like life. Until something bad happens to you personally, you don't take the time to get your shit together.

[Nadino · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a significant letdown and failed to engage me on any level. It suffered from a glaring lack of plot and direction, making it difficult to ascertain what the story was supposed to convey. The characters were uniformly dull and uninspiring, lacking depth and development, which left me completely disinterested in their fates or stories.

The narrative seemed to randomly introduce elements, such as a character's background in Vietnam, that felt disconnected from anything else in the book. This inclusion was perplexing as it did not tie into the main narrative or seem to serve any clear purpose. It left me questioning, what was this book actually about?

Overall, the book did not manage to make any meaningful points or deliver an engaging story. It was a boring disappointment from start to finish, lacking the compelling characters or intriguing plot needed to make a memorable read.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down. Started off super strong, but it was a pretty disjointed read as others have mentioned, and I wish the three primary characters were given more time to interact with each other in the final section and give it a more solid conclusion. I'm not sure if the three distinct sections served the plot well compared to if they had been woven together. Though the writing itself was mostly beautiful, there were times when the desire to have a sentence sound poetic impeded my understanding.

[Lori Baucom · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 Beautiful language at points it was very poetic, but at other times, verbose. Important themes. It could have been a great story, but it was not cohesive. At times, I felt like I was reading different books. I'm not sure what type of book it was supposed to be. I read lots of different POV books and dual timelines, but this one didn't work for me. Some things seemed irrelevant. I understand the points trying to be made, but I didn't really connect like I normally do.

[Anja Sebunya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a tedious read because it just kept developing increasingly not very believable or convincing narratives to justify some kind of amorphous outcome. Yes, America means different things to different people but this was not a narrative that held together as it just went off on too many tangents that were never really developed or fleshed out.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even get through 50 pages of this to write a 50/50 Reject. Dull, disjointed, naval-gazing college rot. I swear, not reading any more books by MFA's.

[Lawaysha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jacob's story was a slow burn to nowhere.
Belinda's story picked up a little, but I felt nothing for these characters, and by the time I got to Wilder, I didn't care. I just wanted it to end.

[Brannen Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very detailed, intimate, and emotional character study. It is one of those books that cannot be rushed, because there is so much going on. The full cast of characters was riveting and fun to follow along with. I really loved the way that Nnuro analyzes his different characters and their relationship with Ghana/the US.

Reading about the daily lives of these characters also reminded me of life in Jamaica, and the desire to immigrate to the US that is elusive for so many. Additionally, the way that these characters relate to each other, and the methods they use to make the best of every situation, touched close to home from what I have seen in Jamaica.

Dave's album "We're All Alone in This Together" was also on my mind during this book. Nnuro's characters are all miserably isolated for different reasons, and struggle to find others that fully understand their experiences. However, it is the common goal they share that unites them.

Nnuro's usage of America as an allegory for opportunity & social mobility is not new, but he added new elements which were intriguing. The different types of Blackness within the Black community are often overlooked, and he unpacks this false monolith. America, both as a place and a concept, can be interpreted very differently for Black Americans vs Africans.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ finished: 2/19/23
⭐️ rating: 7/10
⭐️ takeaway: A powerful consideration of love, loss, and the American Dream from the perspectives of two Ghanaian siblings and one American spouse. Belinda left Ghana in adolescence and reached the pinnacle of academic achievement in the US before marrying her husband, Wilder, a Texas-born oil magnate. Belinda brokered a long-distance marriage between a former roommate and her brother back in Ghana, Jacob, which has dissolved despite Jacob’s repeated efforts to secure a green card so that he can join his wife. Despite her own careful assimilation and her husband’s affluence, Belinda still hasn’t gotten her green card either. Wilder, a Black American only a few generations removed from slavery, fosters a deep resentment for his own country, forged by his experiences in the Vietnam War. The story begins with Jacob in Ghana, then moves to Belinda in America, and then to Wilder’s family history, upbringing, and wartime experiences; I found the Wilder’s section the most interesting by far, especially as the siblings’ narratives seemed to converse with each other. Nevertheless, the novel is a compelling exploration of family, culture, identity, and of America itself.

[Jung · Rating 2 out of 5]

"What Napoleon Could Not Do" by DK Nnuro is a novel that delves into the complexities of relationships and identity, primarily revolving around two siblings, Belinda and Jacob, who are separated by their experiences in America. The book explores themes of ambition, belonging, and the impact of geographical and cultural divides on individuals and families.

Part 1: Divorce
- The story begins with Mr. Nti, who praises those who achieve what Napoleon couldn't, symbolizing conquering great feats.
- Belinda, Mr. Nti's daughter, has successfully built a life in the United States but is waiting for a green card to secure her stay.
- Jacob, Belinda's brother, is facing a difficult divorce from his American wife, Patricia, after a failed attempt to move to the U.S.

Part 2: Jacob
- Jacob's inability to secure a U.S. visa creates resentment and rivalry between him and Belinda.
- His marriage to Patricia was arranged by Belinda, but visa troubles strained their relationship.
- Jacob's ambivalence toward America and his sister's success leads to thoughts of sabotaging his own marriage.

Part 3: Belinda
- The story shifts to Belinda's perspective in Washington, D.C., where she is married to Wilder.
- Belinda, once hopeful about America, begins to see its cruel and ambivalent side, especially in her pursuit of a green card.
- Her relationship with Wilder, a wealthy businessman, started as a marriage of convenience but lacks the green card she desires.

Part 4: Wilder
- The narrative delves into Wilder's past, revealing his traumatic experiences during the Vietnam War and his subsequent emotional struggles.
- Despite his privileged background, Wilder enlisted in the military, serving in Vietnam and experiencing guilt and trauma.
- After the war, Wilder lived in a Laotian village and suffered further loss, driving him to flee to America.

Part 5: Reconciliation
- Alfred, the joy of the Nti household and a mediator between family members, passes away, prompting Belinda's return to Ghana.
- Belinda's return with Wilder to Ghana brings a renewed sense of belonging and connection.
- Wilder's idea to use gas from offshore oil rigs for electricity in Ghana sparks a potential collaboration with Jacob and signals a reconciliation between the siblings.

The novel explores how geographical and cultural distances can create misunderstandings and resentments among family members. While initially divided by their experiences in America, the story ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that reconciliation and understanding are possible, even after years of rivalry and separation.

This book by DK Nnuro warrants a 2-star rating due to several notable shortcomings. While the novel touches on compelling themes of identity, ambition, and family dynamics, it often fails to fully develop its characters, leaving readers with a sense of detachment. The narrative shifts between different perspectives and time periods can be disorienting, making it challenging to engage with the story on a deeper level. Additionally, the pacing of the novel feels uneven, with some sections dragging on while others rush through crucial plot points. Furthermore, the dialogue often lacks authenticity, making it difficult to connect with the characters on an emotional level. While there are glimpses of promise in the exploration of complex family relationships, the overall execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a middling 2-star rating.

[Maisy Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this on Obama's summer reading list

[Valencia Lagbo · Rating 2 out of 5]

see I feel like the content of the book and the writing style itself was beautiful and interesting, but it feel like the story itself got lost bc of the disjointed nature of the story telling and the back and forth between characters in a strange way

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex and complicated, but profoundly worth the effort.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like other hit novel Americanah, this touches upon the African experience in the U.S., but here Ghana is more the center of gravity. It seemed to be a book about the struggles of two Ghanaian siblings to gain the respect of their father, until it veered to focus more strongly on the subsequent husband of one of them (Wilder) and his experiences. Aside from the strong writing and the appealing Alfred character, I liked where the book was going (at least in my mind: although the daughter was outwardly the success, she was riven by insecurities given her challenges in belonging, whereas the down-on-his-luck son knew what he liked and seemingly found the route to success on his own terms). So, while it worked for me that the author didn't follow the expected trajectory, once the story pivoted into yet a third continent and Wilder's Vietnam ordeal, I felt the momentum slow. Amusedly noted this as an Obama summer reading list book that often referenced the disappointment he generated (among those with impossibly high hopes for what his election would mean). I'd be up to read more from the new author.

[Helen Hollis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pushed my boundaries. It was about subjects I have not lived through and do not know anybody else who has lived through either (to my knowledge.) The phrase “what Napoleon could not do” was an expression the Patriarch of the family from Ghana used often. I never did figure out what it was that Napoleon could not do, so I suppose I missed a large part of the author’s intended message. The book dealt with African poverty, African life, issues around emigrating to the US, differences between American blacks and African blacks, money, alternative sexuality, the influence of the internet on global culture, and Vietnam related trauma. (Among other things). I found it interesting. At times I was uncomfortable with some of the subject material but I did finish the book.