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The Mind of Napoleon: A Selection of His Written and Spoken Words
Book by Napoleon, Herold, J. Christopher
322 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1955
43 people are currently reading
1304 people want to read
About the author
Napoléon Bonaparte
1,543 books510 followersNapoleon I, originally Napoleon Bonaparte and known as "the Little Corporal," a brilliant strategist, overthrew the directory in 1799 and proclaimed first consul and later emperor of the French and king of Italy from 1804; his military and political might gripped Continental Europe, but after a disastrous campaign in Russia in winter 1812, people forced him to abdicate in 1814 and exiled him to the island of Elba, whither he escaped and briefly regained power before they ultimately defeated him at Waterloo in 1815 and he lived on Saint Helena, yet his code still forms the basis of civil law.
Josephine de Beauharnais wed Napoleon I Bonaparte in 1796 and from 1804 served as wife and empress of the French to 1809; her alleged infertility caused annulment of the marriage in 1810.
Near Austerlitz on 2 December 1805, Napoleon decisively defeated the armies of Alexander I, czar of Russia, and of Francis II, emperor of Austria.
Napoleon I Bonaparte later adopted French soldier and statesman Eugène de Beauharnais, son of Josephine, as viceroy and then heir apparent to the throne of Italy in 1806.
A mother bore Charles Louis Napoleon III Bonaparte, a nephew of Napoleon I Bonaparte, in 1808.
Trained in mainland as an artillery officer, he rose to prominence as a general of the revolution and led several successes against the arrayed coalitions. In late 1799, Napoleon staged a coup d'état and installed for five years. In the decade of the 19th century, he turned the armies and dominated almost everyone through extensive alliance systems and a lengthy streak of major victories, epitomized through battles, such as Austerlitz and Friedland. He appointed close friends and several members of his family as monarchs and important government figures of dominated states.
Napoleon developed relatively few innovations, although virtually all large modern armies accept his doctrines that placed artillery into batteries and elevated the corps as the standard unit. From a variety of sources, he drew his best tactics, and he scored several major victories with a modernized army. Academies over the world study this widely regarded greatest commander of history. Aside from achievements, people also remember Napoleon for the establishment that laid the bureaucratic foundations for the modern state.
This leader significantly affected modern history. He, a general during the revolution, ruled as premier of the republic, mediator of the Swiss confederation, and protector of the confederation of the Rhine.
The invasion marked a turning point in fortunes of Napoleon. The wrecked grand army never recovered its previous strength. In October 1813, the sixth coalition at Leipzig then invaded. The coalition triumphed over Napoleon in April 1814. After less than a year, he returned and controlled the government in the hundred days prior to his final demise on 18 June 1815. Napoleon spent the six years under British supervision.
Josephine de Beauharnais wed Napoleon I Bonaparte in 1796 and from 1804 served as wife and empress of the French to 1809; her alleged infertility caused annulment of the marriage in 1810.
Near Austerlitz on 2 December 1805, Napoleon decisively defeated the armies of Alexander I, czar of Russia, and of Francis II, emperor of Austria.
Napoleon I Bonaparte later adopted French soldier and statesman Eugène de Beauharnais, son of Josephine, as viceroy and then heir apparent to the throne of Italy in 1806.
A mother bore Charles Louis Napoleon III Bonaparte, a nephew of Napoleon I Bonaparte, in 1808.
Trained in mainland as an artillery officer, he rose to prominence as a general of the revolution and led several successes against the arrayed coalitions. In late 1799, Napoleon staged a coup d'état and installed for five years. In the decade of the 19th century, he turned the armies and dominated almost everyone through extensive alliance systems and a lengthy streak of major victories, epitomized through battles, such as Austerlitz and Friedland. He appointed close friends and several members of his family as monarchs and important government figures of dominated states.
Napoleon developed relatively few innovations, although virtually all large modern armies accept his doctrines that placed artillery into batteries and elevated the corps as the standard unit. From a variety of sources, he drew his best tactics, and he scored several major victories with a modernized army. Academies over the world study this widely regarded greatest commander of history. Aside from achievements, people also remember Napoleon for the establishment that laid the bureaucratic foundations for the modern state.
This leader significantly affected modern history. He, a general during the revolution, ruled as premier of the republic, mediator of the Swiss confederation, and protector of the confederation of the Rhine.
The invasion marked a turning point in fortunes of Napoleon. The wrecked grand army never recovered its previous strength. In October 1813, the sixth coalition at Leipzig then invaded. The coalition triumphed over Napoleon in April 1814. After less than a year, he returned and controlled the government in the hundred days prior to his final demise on 18 June 1815. Napoleon spent the six years under British supervision.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 18, 2014
This is a compilation of quotes supposedly attributed to Napoleon, they are all taken completely out of context, and rearranged in generic themes. The author, like many other authors of Napoleon, think its ok to sit back in their studies and critique one of the greatest men that ever lived. If J. Christopher Herold read just a little about the history of Napoleon, he might have noticed that Bourrienne, Napoleon's private secretary, stole from the treasury and was fired. He then became an avid critique of Napoleon, supported the Royalist movement, and wrote a scathing memoir about Napoleon shortly before entering an insane asylum. Sorry if I find these "quotes" attributed to Napoleon, recorded by the likes of Bourrienne, doubtful. This was a time of political warfare, there are countless accounts of royalists trying to portray Napoleon as a despot for their own self-aggrandizement, but I have no idea why historians still consider them historically accurate.
March 22, 2008
Nowadays, few realize how tersely eloquent and psychologically astute Napoleon was. This book demonstrates that he was a lucid, if deeply cynical, political thinker greatly influenced by Machiavelli and all of the ancient Greek and Roman historians.
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June 11, 2012With only basic knowledge of Napoleon, and the presence of his enigma, I was captured by the spirit and eloquence in his writing. Even through translation there is poetry in his writing, and the human experience is represented poignantly and unforgivingly in his deeply personal memoirs. Moving.
August 25, 2021
This is a table-talk style piece. A pointillist way of getting to know the man, as journal entries, correspondence fragments, newspaper clippings, second-hand anecdotes, and more are topically arranged to get his (sometimes contradictory) views on the big subjects.
If I were to summarize the Napoleon I got to know in these pages, it is a man who knew how to leverage circumstance to the fraction. He was a master gambler and planner. This is why think he made history and an enduring impact without managing to remain an Emperor.
Also, Napoleon was not really much of a break from the norm of monarchs of the time except for being a Corsican upstart. He fit the mold of an Enlightened Despot perfectly and that is, perhaps, the key to his quick rise and roughly fifteen years of absolutist power. The people of Europe were ready for a man of his ilk, because they had lived under his predecessors for a generation. He would have much more in common with Frederick the Great than Joseph Stalin for example.
As such, there is a lot to learn about his times and all times in these pages. There is also a lot of value in seeing how a genius can miscalculate. It is a shame he could never cross the ocean himself to meet with the American Founding generation. The collision of atoms comes to mind.
I am about to read two very large books on Napoleon and found this to be a nice appetizer.
December 31, 2024
Napoleon’s thoughts reveal a man whose mental acuity matched his military genius. His reflections range from geopolitical predictions, to religion, to technology, to ancient generals, the nature of love and marriage, and the pursuit of greatness. What strikes the most to anyone who is able to read Napoleon's thoughts directly was his self-awareness, despite his stereotyping as a little tyrant. There is, after all, a reason why he was admired by all sorts of liberal geniuses from the era: Goethe, Laplace, Stendhal, Hegel, to name a few.
The Enlightenment on horseback was much more of an intellectual than we today give him credit. And, in truth, there is a real-life tragedy to be found here. He was not a happy man, despite his conquests: “To love another you must have enough love for life to give it to others; I don't think I've ever loved, not really. Perhaps that is why I was never at peace.”.
The Enlightenment on horseback was much more of an intellectual than we today give him credit. And, in truth, there is a real-life tragedy to be found here. He was not a happy man, despite his conquests: “To love another you must have enough love for life to give it to others; I don't think I've ever loved, not really. Perhaps that is why I was never at peace.”.
June 4, 2023
9.2/10
unravels one of the most enigmatic leaders in history.
wonderful because it looks at it from the lens of his thoughts rather that a historical overview.
It's like the French go rin no sho.
I can see why Sam likes
unravels one of the most enigmatic leaders in history.
wonderful because it looks at it from the lens of his thoughts rather that a historical overview.
It's like the French go rin no sho.
I can see why Sam likes
May 15, 2019
Awesome.
Want to read
July 26, 2023Sam altman rec. Human psychology esp.
January 9, 2012
A wonderful collection of Napoleon's thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews