Napolean and the 100 Days

by Stephen Coote

In Vienna, 1815, as the political aristocrats of Europe assemble to determine the fate of the continent after defeating Napoleon, the news arrived that Napoleon had escaped captivity and was returning to France. Bonaparte-the revolutionary turned emperor and "disturber of the world's peace" -- was fast approaching Paris, gathering troops and taking cities without firing a single shot. He had returned, and it would be just one hundred days before he met his enemies in a final, epic battle.In Napoleon and the Hundred Days, Stephen Coote vividly re-creates the rise and fall of Bonaparte's empire, and brings to life the characters who shaped Wellington, Britain's Iron Duke; Josephine, Napoleon's great love; Talleyrand, his duplicitous minister; Fouchéthe sinister head of the secret police; Blü the uncouth yet courageous Prussian commander; and, of course, Napoleon himself. Displaying his customary blend of a historian's eye and a novelist's dramatic style, Stephen Coote describes how the path to war became inevitable and how, at the battle at Waterloo, the fatigued but ever arrogant Napoleon met his match. This is a dazzling portrait of the legendary emperor, whose genius, courage, and tenacity won-and lost-him a vast empire.

Genres: History, Biography, France, Nonfiction, War, Military History, Military Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Stephen Coote is the author of several acclaimed biographies including Royal Survivor: The Life of Charles II, Samuel Pepys, and John Keats: A Life. He was educated at Magdelene College, Cambridge and at Birkbeck College, University of London. He lives in Oxfordshire, England.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and insightful telling of one of the most interesting periods in world history (in my opinion). The information is provided concisely but mostly avoids being overly dry. A small critique is the overly specific breakdown of some numbers, but even then I never felt myself overwhelmed.

Perhaps my biggest criticism is simply the repetitive nature of certain parts of the author's vocabulary. It's not even annoying, simply something that's noticeable. It's honestly the only thing preventing me from fully committing to 5 stars.

Overall, this is really a fine piece of historical nonfiction. I found myself excited to dive into the details of a fascinating historical figure.

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the book title indicates that the time period in which it takes place is only the 100 Days, after Napoleon's return from Elba, that takes up only the last half of the book As with most important characters in history, there is the build up to the major thrust of the story, so the author provides a fairly cursory but well done picture of Napoleon from the time he was a young soldier until his rise and first fall. Nothing new there for the reader who knows anything about Napoleon but the author has an easy style and it held my attention.

The second half of the book covers the 100 Days and here is where I have some problem. We are talking about some major battles during those fateful days but there is not one map to show the positions of the troops. The author describes the battles but maps are essential when discussing battles and troop movements, etc. That is really my only gripe about this book.....I rather enjoyed it since I find Napoleon a fascinating personality.

[Sean Chick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written, and I love the part where Napoleon regains his power without firing a shot, but in the end you get the same Bonaparte bashing that has become stock among British historians. This is further evidence that the Brits may claim to be repulsed by the man, but are just as fascinated as the rest of us.

[Singleton Mosby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coote's is a very readable, although at some time almost frustrating book. Frustrating because as so often, history is written by the victors. And in this case the perspective of the book is anti-napoleon throughout.
If you are an admirer of the man, like I am, this book can be a bit annoying because Napoleon is abused and derided on every single page of it. The writer's opinion on the man, his family and France, is harsh and unfair.
The Prussians do not get the praise they deserve for their role in the Waterloo campaign either, the writer's attention is almost exclusively focused on the British story.

This all could make the book a less enjoying read at times but not a bad read. But ten the writer started making some mistakes. When he wrote about Brussels being the capital of Belgium (it wasn't since Belgium did not exist as a country in 1815, being part of Holland), the minister of war of Belgium (am odd position then) and William of Orange being the crown Prince of Belgium it started to go downhill quick.

The actual part on the 100 days is only a third of the book, the first part telling about all subsequent events and being a good general history (albeit one-sided) and the third part of the book describing Waterloo. Too bad because the hundred days is an interesting period to read about.

[Michael Blaylock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating look into a man whose talent, ambition, and skill were only outmatched by his Ego. Coote brings the whole story to life, starting with Napoleon's previous successes, but focusing more on his exile in Elba and a careful chronicle of his hundred days of new rule, how he got the world to follow him a second time, and how his second downfall was more terrible and self-inflicted than the last. It reads more like a story than a biography piece, and it's hard to put down. This is a good rendition of a terrible and tragic figure that the world will never fully forget.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very drab, interesting subject matter was presented in a dull fashion. The author should have been able to make such an interesting subject more enjoyable to read.

[Taavi Tuisk · Rating 4 out of 5]

More details about the Napoleonic era and why he lost the Waterloo from the British viewpoint.

[Andrew Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just read Gilbert Martineau's 'Napoleon Surrenders', it was a curious step back to consider the 100 days leading up to Waterloo. But that's the order in which the books came into my possession.

It quickly became clear that Coote's book covers much more than those 100 days, but spans Bonaparte's entire political career. Which was extremely useful, given my limited knowledge of his story.

It was also clear that Martineau's somewhat tired, pathetic shade of an Emperor was very different from Coote's manipulative, pompous Bonaparte. Other reviewers have criticised Coote's negative presentation of the man, which does stoop to include unflattering comments about his sexual performance and genitalia.

This is a useful and readable book which I recommend to anyone wanting to know more about days leading up to the battle of Waterloo, while at the same time gaining a fuller picture of Napoleon's career.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book on the span of history of Napoleans exile to Elba and the reconquest of France. Because King Louis XVIII failed to honor the agreement of annual payments to Napoleon for upkeep, wages, and such, Napoleon used this and others to escape and take over the French Government. The Bourbonists had come back from England and tried to recreate pre-1789 France which the average citizen apparently did not want. Once back in power, Napoleon strove to undo all the changes in the law and to enact better laws (our state of Louisiana still uses the Napoleonic Codes).

All good things come to an end and his ended at Waterloo. He had ideas to escape to America (his brother did), but this was not to be. He died on the island of St. Helena 6 years later.

A well written book and well researched.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Napoleon looks so cranky on the cover of this book, and no wonder. He begins the narrative stuck on one small island, and ends it on an even smaller, still sure that he could conquer all of Europe if he just had one more shot ...

I really enjoyed this shortish history of the period between Napoeleon's first and second exiles. Coote makes the story, and the wide cast of characters from France, England, Russia, and Prussia, very vivid. I'm not sure how many liberties he may have taken with who was thinking what and how they behaved, but it all seems plausible. This book made the whole milieu of the Napoleonic Wars clearer in my mind, and painted Napoleon himself as an endlessly fascinating person -- terrifying, petty, self-pitying, charming, and pathetic by turns.

[Fade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the name, this book covers the full range of Napoleon's career, if with much more emphasis on the eponymous time period. For me, who'd never really covered Napoleon at all during my educational career, this was a godsend; it was a fascinating, witty look into the Napoleonic wars, with plenty of colorful anecdotes about characters who passed through and influenced that time period beyond the (also eponymous) man himself.

Coote's writing style is lively, witty, and a breeze to read through. I suspect that anyone already deeply familiar with this period might find the broad scope and somewhat helter-skelter approach to the main topic frustrating, but as an engaging introduction to the Napoleonic period, it worked brilliantly for me.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book incredibly interesting. It's a historical narrative that tells the story of Napoleon and how his demise came about. Everyone who loved him believed him to be magnanimous, but deep down he truly didn't care about any of them. He just wanted to conquer and never stop. He was horribly blinded by his own vainglory. I certainly wouldn't call him amazing like a lot of people believe, but he was a very interesting person nonetheless.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book. You get a feel of the sort of man Napoleon was, besides acquiring a good understanding of the political and military movements during the period. It basically tells the story of the whole of Europe at that particular time, with Napoleon as the main character. According to the little I've read of his own personal writing, the impression I received of his character and personality seems quite accurate. A very interesting read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and easy to go through. This book covers Napoleon's entire public life, not just his return from Elba. It wasn't the worst biased book against the man, but it did have the usual negative slant & chose to blame all the wars on Napoleon & none to England. I suppose that's what to expect when the author is yet another Englishman.

I would recommend it to those of us who are not experts on Bonaparte & want a rather brief synopsis of his life.

[Jessie Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, Any book that begins and ends with quotes from Monsieur de Talleyrand is going to draw me in like a kid is drawn to a candy store. That being said, I really enjoyed Mr Coote's storytelling and how he brought various characters from this arc of history to life for me. All in all, a great read.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Supposedly the story of the one hundred days from Napoleon's escape from Elba to his defeat at Waterloo, but waaaaay more than that here. A good, brief bio of Napoleon Buonaparte with emphasis on his military career.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good account of Napoleon's life, mostly the last hundred days and Waterloo. Picked this up at a used book sale and it's worthwhile, but I need to read more, especially about Waterloo. I don't know enough about it.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, could have been better, too much attention for unimportant details

[Ross Parkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good read.

[Nicole D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable although Napoleon slowly morphs into the Devil. The Battle of Waterloo become the battle of good and evil with Wellesly out to "save the world."

[LOL_BOOKS]

THE HUNDRED DAYS BETWEEN ELBA AND WATERLOO