Book of the Week

Napoleon the Great by Andrew Roberts

Recommended by George Farago

Napoleon the Great is a new, controversial biography of one of history's greatest figures, that goes against the traditional viewpoint taken by historians to put him in a very different light.  Roberts uncovers a side of Napoleon hidden from us by years of propaganda and shows us that Napoleon was more than just a great general, he was a great statesman, politician, activist and a striver whose achievements easily could rival those of Caesar, Alexander the Great, Washington and Genghis Khan.  He wasn't an egomaniac who wanted to take over the world.  He was, without doubt, ambitious, but he was also a great leader who wanted what was best for France, its people and all the other people in his empire.

Napoleon is chiefly known as a great general who became lazy, didn't care about his men's lives or well-being, and ended up losing battles at great costs.  This, to be frank, is false.  Of the sixty battles Napoleon fought in his lifetime, he lost only seven.  He cared greatly for his soldiers and made sure they were well provided for.  As Roberts says in the book, 'although he famously said "an army marches on its stomach", he was always deeply conscious that it indubitably marched on its feet, and on April 1 he managed to get 5000 pairs of shoes delivered.'  He wasn't a warmonger either: of the wars Napoleon fought in, he only started three (the Italian Campaign wasn't started by Napoleon - he was just placed in command of the French army during the war).

What many people don't know about is Napoleon's side as statesman.  After the battle of Austerlitz and the French victory in the War of the Third Coalition (catchy), the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved and became a muddle of smaller states.  Napoleon took control of these and formed them into the 'Confederation of the Rhine', which would later be conquered by Prussia to become modern day Germany.  He also turned the jumble of states on the Mediterranean coast into what we would now call Italy.  His code Napoleon underpins much of today's democracy: 'equality before the law, rational government, meritocracy, property rights, religious tolerance, secular education, sound finances, efficient administration and so on.' He also abolished slavery throughout the French colonies.

No one can truly say 'I know who Napoleon was' until they have read this book.  It is, despite its formidable size and small font, a great and easy read which will keep you turning pages long into the night as well as being highly informative.  A great book to read and a formidable one to have on your read list.  'When asked who was the greatest captain of the age, the Duke of Wellington himself replied: "In this age, in past ages, in any age: Napoleon."' After reading this book, I think you'll agree with him.