Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Napoleon #4

Napoleon: The Immortal of St Helena

Rate this book
In 1812, Napoleon enters Russia at the head of 500,000 men. An ocean of fire destroys Moscow, and a chaos of ice and snow engulfs the Grand Army. For the first time, the Eagle bows its head. From now on, conquered Europe awakens and takes its revenge. The powerful betray him, his old Guard weep at Fontainebleau. The final act is nigh. Chained by the English to his rock of St. Helena, the Emperor can still conquer time and oblivion and forge his immortal memory.

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

9 people are currently reading
283 people want to read

About the author

Max Gallo

386 books96 followers
Max Gallo was a French writer, historian and politician.

The son of Italian immigrants, Max Gallo's early career was in journalism. At the time he was a Communist (until 1956). In 1974, he joined the Socialist Party. On April 26, 2007, the French Academy recorded his candidacy for its Seat 24, formerly held by the late Jean-François Revel. He was elected to the French Academy on 31 May 2007.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
128 (38%)
4 stars
117 (35%)
3 stars
71 (21%)
2 stars
11 (3%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for El Bibliófilo.
322 reviews64 followers
May 16, 2022
My comments in video https://youtu.be/NVVim_d6Izc

He did more honor to Malraux than to Stendhal.
The French writer expert on Napoleon presents us with an ambitious work in which he presents the life of Napoleon. Written in the third person, with the addition of Napoleon's thoughts in italics, and some dialogues (which seem more like monologues because Napoleon hardly ever receives an answer) make the work seem like a documentary. In the video you can see other criticisms that I make as well as highlight some interesting reflections. I say that it does more honor to Malraux's dedication because it is equally focused on the hero without showing other interesting aspects of the time as Stendhal did, however, I would recommend reading it for the thoroughness and detail that it allows us to know.
I compare the work with that of Cesar by Colleen McCullough and I miss that figures other than Napoleon stand out. I would even like to see what Posteguillo would do.
I await his comments.

Hizo más honor a Malraux que a Stendhal.
El escritor frances experto en Napoleón nos presenta una obra ambiciosa en la que presenta la vida de Napoleón. Escrita en tercera persona, con añadidura en cursiva de los pensamientos de Napoleón, y algunos diálogos (que más parecen monólogos porque casi nunca Napoleón recibe respuesta) hacen que la obra parezca un documental. En el video podrán ver otras críticas que hago así como destaco algunas reflexiones interesantes. Digo que hace más honor a la dedicatoria de Malraux porque está igualmente centrada en el héroe sin mostrar otros aspectos interesantes de la época como sí hizo Stendhal, sin embargo, la recomendaría leer por la minuciosidad y detalle que nos permite conocer.
Comparo la obra con la de Cesar de Colleen McCullough y extraño que se destaquen otras figuras aparte de Napoleón. Incluso me gustaría ver lo que Posteguillo haría.
Espero sus comentarios.
Profile Image for Lamia Gasimzade.
32 reviews23 followers
January 1, 2023
I see this book as a love story of a lonely person.
He had a passion and a love. This is just a sad story
Profile Image for Federico Kereki.
Author 7 books15 followers
February 7, 2020
C'est intéressant, mais un peu lent -- et le chapitre sur Waterloo est assez court.
13 reviews
December 20, 2020
La série de Max Gallo est fidèle à l’histoire mais il a l’art d’ajouter des dialogues qui rendent le récit intéressant et même palpitant par moments.
Profile Image for Bernardo Arcos Álvarez.
214 reviews4 followers
November 6, 2025
No sé cuántas biografías de Napoleón he leído, pero no son suficientes. La caída monumental del astro es tremendamente dolorosa para mí, es la caída del derecho civil y de la dignidad del ciudadano, pero la victoria militar de la vieja aristocracia europea fue solo un contratiempo para los ideales de la revolución, que se difundieron de forma imparable en las siguientes décadas, en todo el mundo. Gran, gran libro.
Profile Image for Hirok.
40 reviews
April 6, 2023
Tristement passionnant

Je connaissais les grandes lignes de l'histoire de Napoléon, j'en sais plus grâce à cette suite de livres passionnants. Dommage qu'il n'y ait pas un chapitre sur son fils, même si il y a peu de chose a dire, histoire d'y voir plus clair. Je conseille vivement en tout cas.

Écouter en livre Audio sur Audible.
Profile Image for Jb.
554 reviews5 followers
August 13, 2024
La fin de la série est plus courte que les autres, avec de nombreuses ellipses. J'aurais aimé en savoir plus sur la chute du personnage. L'ensemble des quatre livres est vraiment édifiant, bien que naturellement biaisé en faveur du protagoniste, étant donné qu'ils sont presque entièrement racontés à la première personne.
Profile Image for Thibault .
52 reviews5 followers
December 22, 2020
Une quadrilogie facile d'accès et bien vulgarisée. L'écriture à la première personne rend la lecture immersive. Une collection qui peut être intéressante pour connaître les grandes lignes de la vie de Napoléon mais qui reste toutefois bien trop lacunaire.
18 reviews
August 28, 2018
Très bonne biographie sur Napoléon
On se retrouve dans l'intimité de l'Empereur, on ne rentre pas trop dans le détail donc se lit comme un roman. Vraiment abouti.
Profile Image for Rafael Santamaría Villegas .
69 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2024
Un final triste para un gran conquistador.
Algunos dirán que muy merecido, otros dirán que fue una injusticia con su memoria.
Profile Image for pam.
64 reviews
December 21, 2015
I read all four volumes in the original French edition. I was never bored although the battles Napoleon fought are described in great detail. On the contrary, I was totally absorbed and found myself spellbound, partly because the men who fought alongside Napoleon are brought to life as humans with individual frailties, ambitions, illusions and disappointments. Napoleon was well aware that some of his closest advisers were also traitors but he realized that there were no easy solutions available to him. The relationships between Napoleon and the two women of his life play a major role as well. One begins to understand his consuming desire to produce an heir, to see his vision for Europe extended beyond his own lifetime. His ultimate distress at being separated from his wife and son, isolated on an island infested with rats, lonely and facing death, is overwhelming.
77 reviews12 followers
Read
August 9, 2011
Curiosa biografía del belicoso tapón corso, bautizado en su dá como el "petit cabrón" por Pérez Reverte. En realidad es una zambullida en su mente, en el por qué de sus acciones, su hambre, su gloria. Sus enfermizas relaciones con las mujeres, su patética familia, una cabeza que no deja de bullir e idear nuevas conquistas. Curiosamente, se despacha las batallas en un par de páginas, sin apenas darle importancia. Es más un retrato psicológico rodeado de hechos históricos, a ratos naif y demasiado didáctico, pero que fluye como las grandes novelas. Destacable.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.