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A Wicked History

Napoleon: Emperor and Conqueror (Wicked History

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- Opening quote by or about the featured villain/villainess
- Historical map, annotated with key locations from person's life
- "A Wicked Web" featuring allies and enemies
- Historical photos and etchings
- Boxes with additional information
- Photo six to eight pages of photos and captions telling the person's life
- Timeline, glossary, additional sources
- Engaging narrative nonfiction written at a very accessible reading level

128 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2009

8 people are currently reading
133 people want to read

About the author

Kimberley Heuston

12 books6 followers
Kimberley Heuston was born in Provo, Utah and grew up in New York City. As a child, her family frequently visited St. Johnsbury, which became the setting for The Shakeress. She teaches school in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she lives with her four children.

Kimberley is also known as Kimberley Sorenson and Kimberley Burton Heuston.

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5 stars
39 (24%)
4 stars
69 (42%)
3 stars
42 (25%)
2 stars
9 (5%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Melanie.
117 reviews2 followers
June 1, 2012
Very well written, I quite enjoyed this book. I had no idea that Napoleon was Italian. Very interesting.
Profile Image for Claire.
24 reviews
November 8, 2017
I like how this book is set up so it shows the reader who Napoleon was. I liked that they had a timeline of his life, but, I didn't like that they were in the middle of the book. I think Napoleon's life is really interesting.
2 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2016
This book by Kimberley heuston was informational about the main character Napoleon and how he became a well known emperor the conflict in the book is that France
Profile Image for Linda.
197 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2025
A Wicked History is a great addition for older elementary school through high school readers of biographies. I have seen this collection in our school's Biography section and when I read it, I truly enjoyed and loved reading this book! Appealing cover art, small 4 x 6 size book, interesting title, splash of red print to highlight important headings, map of The World of Napoleon Bonaparte, Table of Contents in three parts, divided into short, titled chapters, Timeline of Terror, Glossary, Find Out More (includes web sites), Index, and Author's Note and Bibliography. It's a small-sized book, photographs are highlighted prominently, larger font, more of an overview highlighting certain battle and human-interest stories makes this biography and series a great addition to a library collection for all readers, ready, reluctant, and advanced ELL. This should be a print resource in every library that serves children.
2 reviews
December 19, 2018
The Book I read is Nepoleon by Kimberley Heuston.The book is a lexile value 990L and it an a reading level of 7.1. Nepoleon Is an Emperor and Conqueror of France. This book is a biography about him.

¨The Only thing more Spectacular than his rise to the Power was his fall From Grace ¨ (Heuston) Nepoleon was so powerful he conquered most of europe. This book is about how powerful he was. This book was written because his story was important to history and his power in Europe. The author includes pictures in this book and it helps you see what it was like in war.

I would recommend this book because isn't to long and a good way to learn about history in europe. This is an easy book to read. The best part of the book is when we learn about his life growing up. The author made reading about history interesting. This book is not boring. I think you would like it to.
19 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2014
Sept. 19
The book Napoleon is a very good book, which has good information and makes sense in the way that it is easy to understand. The book starts off with a huge fight, when Napoleon is fighting two of his greatest opponents: Francis of Austria and his ally Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Napoleon was only 27 years old and he was fighting these two, who so confidently ordered people, who nobody would have guessed that it was Napoleons first major battle. The way he wins this battle is by observing how the Austrians and Russians weakened their center, and finally he orders a blow in the middle, which ends the battle. At the end he calls it the “Happiest day of his life” (Heuston, 15).
Napoleon was born in Corsica an island who had just come under the rule of France, and Napoleon’s parents, Letizia and Carlo Buonaparte, where not happy at all, In fact they had joined a rebellion against being part of France. Napoleon was an unattractive boy, who most would see as a liar, as he lied to get his way. Napoleon even hated his name, and wanted that people call him Buonaparte. He threw tantrums and would bully other kids. A few years later, he decided to be a soldier, and his parents put him in a French military school which he hated, but his father told him that the only way to succeed in life was to learn the customs of the French, so he left the island in 1778.
On December 2, 1804, Napoleon was due at the church, to be crowned. He arrived much later than he should have, because he was taking showers and dressing and so was his wife. When the pope, Pope Pius VII, was about to crown him, he took the crown out of his hands and crowned himself. Then he said “Power is my Mistress” (Heuston, 85) what he was basically saying was that no one was more important than him, and that he ruled the church. At those times and now the church was something really important, and if you considered yourself stronger or above it, then you considered crazy. The only thing is that Napoleon had saved the French.


Sept. 26
There are a few reasons why the setting in Napoleon was so good. One reason is because the author does a really good job in describing the setting not only in mentioning the characters involved but also what is happening outside the setting that is influencing the setting. Another reason is the actual settings, which are full of action and everyone is usually so stressed, it’s so nice. One example is in the beginning when Napoleon is fighting his first major battle against two people who are allied. Even when the battle is over and Napoleon won he walks around the blood fields with a smile which is creepy.

There are a few reasons why Napoleon is such a good character. The first would be because he is nice and tries to be with everyone, even though sometimes he fails. An example would be when he conquers Italy, and when he is away they take it away. Napoleon goes to Italy again, conquers it for France and leaves. Another reason why Napoleon is such a good character is because at the end he becomes a viscous person who wants to be the dictator for Europe.

There are a few reasons why the description in Napoleon is so good. One of them is because in the battle in the beginning you feel as if you were right there, though you feel lucky you are not because of the description. Another example would be when Napoleon is fighting against a fort and in less than a day captures it.


Oct. 10
One reason the “The heroes of Olympus” is because of the setting. One reason is because when Jason, the main character, goes to the wolf house, the author, Rick Riordan, describes every little detail, like when he wrote about Hera being trapped, her desperation while Jason and his friends tried to open her cage. In another part of the story, Rick wrote a prophecy in riddle form, and it was quite long too and it all made sec to the story.

Another reason that makes this such a good story were the characters and their personalities and their background. One example would be when Jason figures out that he is a Roman, not a Greek, and that was why when he referred to a god he always though of their Roman names. Another example was Pipers personality, which is a tough one to even understand. She is mixed with a lot of people with different personalities, and she adapts to each of them with a different way.

The last reason why The heroes of Olympus is the best reading book is because of the relation of the present and past and how Rick used what the Greeks and Romans believed in and changed it a bit, so demigods exist, kind of as if the tales where the background and Rick made up the demigods and made them blend in together, and at the end I really liked the result. As a secondary effect, it helped me on the Greek mythology unit, helping me get information that helped me remember the gods. One very good example would be when I learned that although the Romans had basically the same gods, I assumed that not much would change but their names. Yet I learned that the Roman gods are more battle like, and wanting power through wars and fights, whereas the Greek gods where more relaxed about things and usually where good tempered people.

Profile Image for Julie Brock.
193 reviews
June 2, 2018
An awesome trick I learned from librarian coworkers is that if you want a brief version of a biography or nonfiction, go to the children's section. Not every topic I'm interested in requires a 478 page treatment.
Profile Image for Jennifer Triplett.
316 reviews2 followers
April 15, 2020
Fun quick synopsis of Napoleon's life and conquests (did you know Josephine's name was actually Rose and Napoleon made her change it?). Read this for a Mom-Son Book Club I'm doing with Jack. Never too early to teach your kids about megalomania.
Profile Image for Nancy.
138 reviews
June 6, 2020
Looking for some historical knowledge but don't want to read an entire biography of Napoleon? This book is a great little easy-read history that explains the events as well as the cause and effect of the events.
5 reviews
June 13, 2017
This would be a great book to me but there wasn't a thing in here i didn't know except that napoleon changed his name t Napoleon when he moved to France.
14 reviews
November 26, 2018
It is very detailed and shows Napoleon’s life thoroughly but some of the information were a little bit boring for me to read.
Profile Image for Luyi.
144 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2024
The last comment as Napoleon being egotistical by the author is not so correct. I learned a brief history of this great man in the history.
131 reviews
November 1, 2024
Didn't like his new wife too young and felt bad for his son dying young
Profile Image for Kristi.
596 reviews10 followers
March 28, 2025
A quick simple overview of Napolean. I learned a lot
15 reviews
May 4, 2016
Taha Ababou
Tuesday May 3, 2016
English 8-03


Napoleon: Emperor and Conqueror is a biography written by Kimberly Heuston, talking about Napoleon Bonaparte, and his conquests. Napoleon Bonaparte, also known as Napoleon I, was the son of a lawyer named Carlo Bonaparte. He was born on August 15, 1769, in Ajaccio, a port on the west coast of Corsica. One year before he was born, France conquered Corsica, from the city-state of Genoa, Italy. When Napoleon grew up, he graduated from a French military school, and later became a French military leader. Napoleon, I evolved from a military commander to an emperor, where he conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. After seizing political power in France during the French Revolution (1789-1799), he gained enough power to crown himself emperor in 1804. Two years later, Napoleon resigned from the throne and was banished to the island of Elba because of a disastrous French invasion of Russia in 1812. However, during his Hundred Years campaign, Napoleon temporarily returned to power; but was once again surrendered and exiled to the island of Saint Helena. In 1821, Napoleon Bonaparte died at the age of 51. As one can see, once Napoleon was able to seize power and become an emperor, one can emphasize that he was not able to manage this much power.

The reader can tell that this book is a biography based on the cover of the book, but also throughout the course of the book. The first chapter is introducing Napoleon and his early life. After every chapter, the reader learns how Napoleon grew up to a teenager and later became a French military leader and conqueror. Napoleon affected many people’s life by invading many countries during the early 19th century. During the French Revolution, Napoleon tried to gain power to reunite France instead of destroying it. After the French Revolution, France became united, strong and stable under his control. The union of France had a profound impact on the people of Europe and the world. After reading this book, the reader must learn five major facts about him. Napoleon ended the French Revolution and rebuilt Paris into a beautiful city of parks and boulevards. He also founded the French banking system and created a fair, modern legal code that's still in place today. When the French Evolution ended, he gained enough power to crown himself emperor in 1804. As one can see, Napoleon Bonaparte united France into a strong, stable country, and also started from a single military leader to an emperor.

After reading this biography about Napoleon I, there was one part where I liked and disliked about him. My favorite part about is how Napoleon is more of a strategist than an invader. During the French Revolution, he decided to reunite France rather than destroying it. By being a strategist, Napoleon became creative. He founded the French banking system and created a fair, modern legal code. There is still one thing I disliked about him. I disliked how Napoleon is hungry in seizing power even when he has enough. Napoleon dreamed too much of conquering all of Europe. This problem caused him to be exiled twice to the island of Saint Helena, where he was under guard for eight years, and eventually died at the age of 51. To conclude, I would recommend this book to everyone who would want to learn about how a military leader would evolve into and emperor and conqueror.
Profile Image for Shelli.
5,167 reviews57 followers
February 28, 2017
I seriously am growing to love this Wicked History series. They provide a quick yet nice overview of the featured leader, in this case Napoleon Bonaparte; whose story is so much more than a power hungry little general trying to take over the world. These books are perfect for any middle/high school classroom or library and are guaranteed to make history exciting for students.
Profile Image for Hamid Sabri.
17 reviews7 followers
October 20, 2014
October 17, 2014

Napoleon was an out-standing military tactician and a legendary person. His characteristics develop and expand throughout his life span, such as he stopped being timid and started to have to much confidence in himself. First, after he conquered his fear of meeting and talking to new people, he became better leader. Once he conquered this fear he could now talk and befriend his troops and conquer the world. Furthermore, after developing too much confidence he thought he could conquer everything. With this idea in his head, he could easily lead his army into a war where the chance aren't in his favor. In conclusion, Napoleon develops bad and good characteristics over his years and a military general and emperor that help him or not over the years.

The setting of Bonaparte's life occurs in different places at many different times. Main areas in his life were Corsica, and Paris. Corsica is an italian island, conquered by the french at the time. Corsica was where he was born, and lived the debut of his life. Paris was where Napoleon had his last war, before he died. His last war, Hundred Days, was a war against Paris after he rebelled and became emperor again for a little while. To conclude, Bonaparte had a great life with many great areas in which he lived in.

Napoleon had a great and interesting life, being one of the youngest french generals ever. The most important areas in his life were the wars, which consisted of the invasion of russia, and the hundred days. First, the Invasion of Russia was a war against Russia because the russian betrayed the French. The Russian betrayed the french by not continuing the boycott against Britain, so the French declared war. Also, the Hundred Days was a war when Napoleon came back from his banishment and made Louis XVII flee. Bonaparte was emperor again for about a week, then Great Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia sent troops to Paris to kill Napoleon and they succeeded. All in all, Napoleon was an fascinating general who succeed most of the times in war.
Profile Image for Abdu.
6 reviews
Read
May 30, 2014
Napoleon Emperor and Conqueror Egotist

In this book called Napoleon by Kimberley Heuston is about a guy who was first called Nabullione Buonaparte then switched to Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon was a harsh person he loved killing people but he was good in tactics. In the begging of the book Napoleon was a kid who loved war so his parents took him to the best war school in France and so he learns his ways of being a proper soldier like he wanted to as a kid. When he grew older he became one of the best soldiers in France so he got called up in the army. Their he became so good they put him as the genera. As a general he conquered so many countries he fought people for land to give to France but most commonly he fought England so France can take over Italy but he fought other countries so he can also take their land.


My opinion of this book is that it is good for learning about the French Revelation and napoleon himself. What I liked about this book was how hard Napoleon fought hard for France so he can make it a better country to live in for his people. What I disliked about this book was that how Napoleon started to no really care about his people and only about himself after his wife had an affair with another man.


I would recommend this book to anybody who loves war because this book is mainly about war and has a lot of violence. Another person I would recommend this book to is Mr. Haines because we might do something about French revelation and this book might come in handy because it has a lot of things to do about the French revelation and the whole concept of it.


14 reviews12 followers
April 2, 2015
Napoleon was known as a great French leader but he was not French. He was originally Italian. He was born in Sicily, which had been sold to the French by Italy. His family hated the French but they sent him to boarding school in France.
Napoleon tried to conquer Europe. Napoleon did everything he can to become an emperor. He did everything impossible to become emperor and ruled harshly. He tried to attack Russia but loses most of his army. He is defeated by the Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Sweden at Waterloo.

Before reading the book.
Why was he famous? How did he die? How was he defeated?

What the readers see and like in this book is that the character in the story is determined to do the impossible.

What readers can learn from Napoleon's life is that he went from being a Corsican savage to being the greatest military mind in the world. This tells the reader that it is possible to succeed even if you start at a low point and that determination is very important.

I would recommend this book to people who are learning about French history and students who want to learn about European history. I would also recommend this book to everyone in CAS because Napoleon proved that with determination, perseverence and bravery everyone can succeed in their educational life.





Profile Image for Patsy.
614 reviews9 followers
November 5, 2015
A good history of Napoleon Bonaparte from Napoleon' s birth in 1769 till his death in 1821 at St. Helena. This is an overview of Napoleon Bonaparte, his life as a child, his early education, as a leader travelling across Europe for power and fame. His armies are described in detail their size and their rise and falls. Also a brief description of his wives, family and his children.

This is a fast paced book with loads of information about his life and battles in all types of weather, it holds your attention all the way through the book. If you didn't know or have forgotten the details of Napoleon this is the book to start with. The author Heuston is a wonderful storyteller to bring life to this exciting small book. A good bonus in the book is small black and white pictures of Napoleon and his armies that the author is explaining during the story. At the end of the book all you can say is 'WOW'.
14 reviews
May 9, 2013
Author: Kimberley Heuston
Genre: biography
# of pages: 128

Napoleon grew up on an island near france. He grew up with not a lot of money. Then the french took control of the island. Napoleon went to a school where he got good grades. later he went to a very exclusive school where he learned battle strategies. After he got out of school he was drafted for the artillery. Napoleon rose in ranks till he became a general of the army. He soon became the ruler of france. After becoming ruler he spread his countries rule. But after failing in russia he was exiled to an island where he died yelling his wife's name.



i give this book three stars. because there are facts i didn’t know. also i didn’t know he had two wives. but i don’t like how much it talked about his family. this is why give this book three stars.
13 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2015
I would rate my book 5/5 stars. I rate it this because the author, Kimberley Hueston was not bias, she told about his triumphs and his losses. For example, she said, ” Napoleon had won the battle, yet only one year later was one of his greatest losses." I learned that Napoleon came from a poor family, his parents sent to him to school in France. There he learned the importance of popularity, and how you can get anything you want if your family was famous. Napoleon wanted to change people's feelings from believing in popularity to the importance of skills. I would recommend this to mostly boys because it was a book about napoleon the one of the generals until he went to far.


Profile Image for Sam L.
25 reviews4 followers
March 20, 2013
Napoleon

He came from a humble family on an island at the edge of the french empire. He always dreamed of becoming a general. Now that he finally got his dream, can he handle all of this power?

I think that Napoleon can't handle this power. He is ruethless. He marched his troops in a desert and left them there stranded. He pretty much left them there to die.
Profile Image for Chris.
14 reviews
May 24, 2011
I knew a small number of things about Napolean (w/ a history like that, who doesn't?), but I have no shame in saying the the majority of his life was unknown to me. I am glad to say that I know a great deal more because I read this book.
9 reviews
February 29, 2016
I liked this book because it gave a good overview of Napoleon Bonaparte's life as well as important times in his life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested to know about Napoleon in general.
Profile Image for Elise.
97 reviews2 followers
August 21, 2010
This was an okay overview on Napoleon. That's about all I can say.
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