Honest review of The History of Napoleon Buonaparte

J.G. Lockhart's "The History of Napoleon Buonaparte" offers a comprehensive biography of the iconic French emperor. Beginning with Napoleon's Corsican childhood and military training during the French Revolution, Lockhart charts his astonishing ascent to power. The narrative vividly portrays Napoleon's brilliant military campaigns, from his Italian victories to the disastrous Russian expedition, highlighting his strategic genius and its impact on Europe. Beyond the battlefield, the book explores his political maneuvers, the enduring legacy of the Napoleonic Code, and his complex personal life. Lockhart provides a nuanced portrait, examining the forces that propelled Napoleon to imperial glory and ultimately led to his exile on St. Helena after Waterloo.

Hardcover 29.95 USD

Paperback 16.49 USD

4 / 281 ratings

Review The History of Napoleon Buonaparte

This biography of Napoleon by J.G. Lockhart is a fascinating read, and a surprisingly balanced one, considering its age and the author's likely biases. Lockhart doesn't shy away from presenting Napoleon's less savory actions, honestly acknowledging the cruelty and ambition that fueled his rise. However, he also doesn't demonize him, presenting both sides of the coin – giving context and, in some instances, even seemingly excusing Napoleon's behavior, while simultaneously highlighting the critiques levelled against him. This approach allows the reader to form their own informed opinion, rather than being spoon-fed a simplistic narrative of saint or villain. I appreciated that immensely.

The writing style, as several reviewers have noted, is undeniably old-fashioned. Long, complex sentences are the norm, and occasional archaic vocabulary might require a quick dictionary check. This made it a slightly slower read than I'm used to, but honestly, it added to the charm and immersive historical experience. I found myself picturing the author writing by candlelight, painstakingly crafting each sentence. This isn't a quick, breezy read designed for modern attention spans; it demands a bit of patience and active engagement. This, in turn, made the moments of clarity all the more rewarding, especially the descriptions of his military campaigns – particularly the harrowing account of the Russian debacle. I actually found myself wishing for maps at certain points to better visualize the troop movements, a common sentiment echoed by other readers.

Despite the stylistic challenges, Lockhart's narrative held my attention throughout. He avoids getting bogged down in excessive detail about Napoleon's personal life, focusing instead on the larger historical sweep of his actions and their impact on Europe. This makes it an excellent starting point for anyone interested in learning about Napoleon, even if they lack extensive prior knowledge. Unlike some other biographies I've read, which assumed a considerable level of familiarity with the period, this one manages to be both informative and accessible. This is a significant advantage; it caters to a broader audience without sacrificing depth.

The fact that this is a free Kindle download is almost unbelievable. The value for money, or rather, the lack of monetary cost, is exceptional. While some might prefer a more modern telling, or one with more detailed personal insights, this version offers a refreshing perspective, free from the potentially biased viewpoints of later historians. It provides a solid foundation upon which to build further knowledge. It's not perfect; the language can be challenging and some contemporary historical scholarship might offer additional nuance, but Lockhart's work remains a compelling and well-written account of one of history's most complex and controversial figures. It rekindled my interest in this period and I would certainly recommend it to anyone seeking a well-rounded, albeit slightly old-fashioned, look at the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Information

• Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.14 x 8.5 inches
• Language: English
• Print length: 454
• Publication date: 2024

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