Allison Strandberg asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

I just finished Andrew Roberts' excellent biography of Napoleon. I kept thinking, "This guy sure reminds me of Miles Vorkosigan." I was tickled by one detail: Miles' opinion that a shower is as good as three hours' sleep (from Cryoburn, I think?) is shared by Napoleon, although his quote is about a bath and four hours. I'm curious about the extent to which biographical details about Napoleon inspired Miles.

Lois McMaster Bujold
Not much Napoleon in Miles, no. Initial historical precedents/inspirations that I can recall were T. E. Lawrence and young Winston Churchill. And my own experience with Great Man's Offspring syndrome.

Later, after Miles was launched, people brought my attention to other quirky short soldiers of history, including Eugene of Savoy and the very interesting Homer Lea. (I recommend both to your attention.) But they were very much after the fact.

Ta, L.

flag