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    Napoleon: A Concise Biography
    Napoleon: A Concise Biography
    Napoleon: A Concise Biography
    Audiobook4 hours

    Napoleon: A Concise Biography

    Written by David A. Bell

    Narrated by Paul Heitsch

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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 twenties, Napoleon was already one of the greatest generals in European history. At thirty, he had become absolute master of Europe's most powerful country. In his early forties, 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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateJul 31, 2018
    ISBN9781541447042
    Napoleon: A Concise Biography

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    Reviews for Napoleon

    4.5/5

    118 ratings8 reviews

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    • 5/5
      The strength of this biography is in its brevity. It gives an overview rather than belaboring the fine points. It may be that I will read one of the many huge times on the subject at some point. Maybe not. But now I have a working idea of what this important historical figure was all about.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      The book does what it claims to do. It's short and focuses on important events.
      More historical then a biography of the man himself.
    • 5/5
      Was engaging and covered the topic of Napoleon in an easy to read manner. Really enjoyed the book.
    • 4/5
      Very concise and compact, lots of information about the time period, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Austria, the US and of course England.
    • 5/5
      Great summary of Napoleon. A good introduction for those wanting to know more.
    • 5/5
      Good short introduction into napoleon. It is perfect for a minor curiosity
    • 4/5
      Interesting summary of his life,with some insights into motivations and personal challenges, but delivery is a little monotone
    • 5/5
      Great narrator, quick and factual interesting wordsmithing, Concise as advertised!