Napoleon (Signet Classics)

Concise look at Napoleon and his exploits. This essay is best used as an introduction to be followed up by Schom, Asprey and Horne.

For an introduction to or a refresher course in the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, readers would do well to invest in Felix Markham's 270-page mini-biography "Napoleon", published in 1963. Succinct it definitely is, which means that military campaigns requiring a great deal of detail tend to be a little dry, while Napoleon's coronation (depicted by David as one of the great spectacles in the first half of the 19th Century) is covered by Markham in a few brush strokes. The true value of the book, aside from its synopsis of a dazzling history, is Markham's incisive study of Napoleon's personality and the enormous effect he had on his generation as well as those to come. Junot is quoted as saying: "He is the sort of man of whom nature is sparing and who only appears on earth at intervals of centuries." Napoleon's wisdom as an administrator is set against his occasional brutality, as when he had 3,000 prisoners shot to death at Jaffa or somewhat arbitrarily ordered the execution of the Duc d'Enghien. (It was the latter act that caused Beethoven to cross out the "Eroica" dedication.) Markham debunks some Napoleonic myths, including my favorite that Napoleon subsisted on only four hours of sleep per day, plus power naps. And for those of us who think of Napoleon's rise to power as an unobstructed arc of triumph, Markham reminds us that in the early part of his career Napoleon came more than once under the shadow of the guillotine. There are 38 illustrations and, like the text, they provide a sort of précis of this extraordinary life. The portraits of Napoleon from the 1790's depict him in dramatic poses, his hair blowing in the wind, very much like a 1940's movie star. These contrast sadly with the St Helena pictures, the ex-Emperor leaning on a spade in his garden, looking tamed and resigned. From triumphant Emperor to tired exile, Felix Markham presents a "Napoleon" that is short but strong.

Felix Markham's work is quite short- a mere 304 pages. This is obviously not nearly long enough to give a full accounting of the life of Napoleon, one of the most extraordinary men in all of history. Still, for those readers who may not know much about Napoleon, this book is an excellent introduction. Being broad rather than deep, it covers most aspects of Napoleon's life.If you want a full and deep study of Napoleon's life, read the works of Vincent Cronin or Andre Castelot. If you want a brief overview, Markham's book would serve very well.

Felix Markham's "Napoleon" is a triumph. It's really a whirlwind history if you consider that within the first 100 pages you've seen Napoleon rise from his fairly humble Corsican origins to First Consul. The pace of the book was definetly something that I enjoyed! Markham details the rise to power, the political intrigues as well as the battles and campaigns that have in so many ways defined Napoleon. Napoleon's decline, exile and the rehabilitation of the Napoleonic legend in France are also well covered.The strength of the book is that it's really well written. It's enjoyable to read, very clear and concise. While the biography may be criticized as being pro-Napoleon, I didn't feel he was unduly so, in fact his description of Napoleon as an enigma seems quite accurate and is probably one of the reasons that Napoleon continues to be controversial and of interest. As for the layout, I disliked having the maps at the end of the book, but that is of course a very minor issue.This is definetly a good introduction for anyone interested in learning more about Napoleon.

In his book, 'Napoleon,' Felix Markham traces the rise and fall of one of the most important men in western history. As a biography, Markham sometimes relies too much questionable references, but as a history, 'Napoleon' ranks among the great works on the subject. The reports of the battles and the men who served the Emperor are first rate. One can almost imagine being at Marengo, Austerlitz or Waterloo, or riding alside Ney, Marmont, or Junot. Perhaps some of the most appealing aspects of this book are the accounts of Napoleon's life after his exile to St. Helena and the events surrounding his death. Markham also shows us how the Napoleonic legend helped to shape post-Imperial France. I would recomend this book to anyone who would like to know more about this facinating historical figure.