Napoleon: For Beginners

The definitive biography of the great soldier-statesman, written by the acclaimed author of Churchill and The Last King of America, has been praised as a thrilling tale of military and political genius. The book, which has won the LA Times Book Prize, been a finalist for the Plutarch Prize, and won the Fondation Napoleon Prize, is also a New York Times bestseller.

Roberts, an uncommonly gifted writer, has leveraged the recent publication of Napoleon's thirty-three thousand letters to provide a deeper understanding of the iconic figure's character and motivation. Unlike previous biographies, this work presents Napoleon as a protean multitasker, decisive in his leadership, and surprisingly willing to forgive his enemies and his errant wife, Josephine.

Like George Washington and his own hero, Julius Caesar, Napoleon was one of the greatest soldier-statesmen of all time. His battles, including Austerlitz, Borodino, and Waterloo, are among the greatest in history. However, this biography goes beyond the military exploits, delving into Napoleon's strategic importance as a storyteller and the enduring impact of his memoirs, which became the single bestselling book of the nineteenth century.

To craft this comprehensive account, the award-winning historian Roberts traveled to fifty-three of Napoleon's sixty battle sites, discovered crucial new documents in archives, and even made the long trip by boat to St. Helena. His deep understanding of both politics and military history is evident throughout the work, making it a biography worthy of its subject.

Magisterial, insightful, and beautifully written, this book by one of our foremost historians is a must-read for anyone interested in the life and legacy of one of history's most remarkable figures.

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