Napoleon

A Concise Biography

By: David A. Bell

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

This book provides a concise, accurate, and lively portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte's character and career, situating him firmly in historical context.

David Bell emphasizes the astonishing sense of human possibility - for both good and ill - that Napoleon represented. By his late 20s, Napoleon was already one of the greatest generals in European history. At 30, he had become absolute master of Europe's most powerful country. In his early 40s, he ruled a European empire more powerful than any since Rome, fighting wars that changed the shape of the continent and brought death to millions. Then everything collapsed, leading him to spend his last years in miserable exile in the South Atlantic.

Bell emphasizes the importance of the French Revolution in understanding Napoleon's career. The revolution made possible the unprecedented concentration of political authority that Napoleon accrued and his success in mobilizing human and material resources. Without the political changes brought about by the revolution, Napoleon could not have fought his wars. Without the wars, he could not have seized and held onto power. Though his virtual dictatorship betrayed the ideals of liberty and equality, his life and career were revolutionary.

©2015 Oxford University Press (P)2018 Tantor

Great Summary, good narration

Read this book in anticipation of watching the upcoming movie about Napoleon. Author managed to give a really good overview without being too anti or pro-Napoleon. The narration was very well done.

Great introduction to Napoleon

Very concise, timely and a joy to listen to with recent research and conceived by a respected scholar.

Great concise history of Napoleon

I feel that this book did a fine job of hitting the important moments in Napoleon’s life and tying them into the happenings that impacted and were impacted by his actions.

The narration was will done and very clear and easily followed.

I will recommend it to others as this history helps us understand how it shapes our present realities.

High level overview. Enough for casual interest.

Well narrated. Great for casual interest in Napoleon. Will likely leave some wanting more. Worth the time and enjoyable.

Biographical stories make history memorable

I’m rating this audible book very high because I gained a better understanding of European history through Napoleon’s biography. I am surprised and saddened by the tragedies his lust for power caused, Napoleon was a complicated person, and had much potential. It was all wasted on war; so much death and destruction. Yes, he changed the course of history dramatically. And the author was able to find lasting good in some of what Napoleon accomplished. But the man is not one I would honor. He was brilliant when it came to waging war, but this story goes into many horrible details of his influence. Urging his men to loot, rape and torture those he conquered is unforgivable. Here is a good but troubling biography, especially because we are witnessing very similar world events today.