Description
Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power was neither inevitable nor smooth; it was full of mistakes, wrong turns and pitfalls. During his formative years his identity was constantly shifting, his character ambiguous and his intentions often ill-defined. He was, however, highly ambitious, and it was this ruthless drive that advanced his career. This book examines the extraordinary evolution of Napoleon's character and the means by which at the age of thirty he became head of the most powerful country in Europe and skilfully fashioned the image of himself that laid the foundation of the legend that endures to this day.
Drawing on an extraordinary range of sources, this important new biography weaves together the development of Napoleon as individual with the complex world in which he lived Volume I reveals the inner Napoleon, the man: what he thought, how he felt and what he lived, ending in 1799 with Napoleon's participation in the dramatic coup that brought him to power This definitive biography of Napoleon will set the standard for many years to come
About the Author
Philip Dwyer studied in Perth (Australia), Berlin and Paris, where he was a student of France's pre-eminent Napoleonic scholar, Jean Tulard. He has published widely on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras, and is the editor of Napoleon and Europe, the author of Talleyrand, and has co-edited Napoleon and His Empire: Europe, 1804-1814. He is currently Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Newcastle, Australia, and is working on the second volume of his biography of Napoleon. Napoleon:The Path to Power, 1769-1799 has also been shortlisted for The Prime Minister's Literary Awards.
Reviews
'This life of his hero in two volumes is the work that Dwyer was placed on earth to write ... We are clearly in the presence of what will be a monumental work ... meticulously researched and well-written first volume, which leaves the reader keenly anticipating the second' Andrew Roberts, Literary Review 'Remarkable ... a satisfying, psychologically convincing account of Napoleon's early years and ascent to power. Even-handed and authoritative, this fascinating and highly enjoyable book will be an eye opener even to those who think they know the subject well' Adam Zamoyski, Sunday Times 'Bonaparte's staggering ambition and penchant for blaming others for his mistakes are apparent throughout' Financial Times Summer Books 'An extraordinary story ... Dwyer has his own way of telling the story and this makes his book more than just a canter across familiar terrain ... an attractive addition to the literature on one of the most controversial figures in modern European history' Thomas Munch-Petersen, BBC History Magazine
Book Information
ISBN 9780747566779
Author Philip Dwyer
Format Paperback
Page Count 672
Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 40mm
Drawing on an extraordinary range of sources, this important new biography weaves together the development of Napoleon as individual with the complex world in which he lived Volume I reveals the inner Napoleon, the man: what he thought, how he felt and what he lived, ending in 1799 with Napoleon's participation in the dramatic coup that brought him to power This definitive biography of Napoleon will set the standard for many years to come
About the Author
Philip Dwyer studied in Perth (Australia), Berlin and Paris, where he was a student of France's pre-eminent Napoleonic scholar, Jean Tulard. He has published widely on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras, and is the editor of Napoleon and Europe, the author of Talleyrand, and has co-edited Napoleon and His Empire: Europe, 1804-1814. He is currently Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Newcastle, Australia, and is working on the second volume of his biography of Napoleon. Napoleon:The Path to Power, 1769-1799 has also been shortlisted for The Prime Minister's Literary Awards.
Reviews
'This life of his hero in two volumes is the work that Dwyer was placed on earth to write ... We are clearly in the presence of what will be a monumental work ... meticulously researched and well-written first volume, which leaves the reader keenly anticipating the second' Andrew Roberts, Literary Review 'Remarkable ... a satisfying, psychologically convincing account of Napoleon's early years and ascent to power. Even-handed and authoritative, this fascinating and highly enjoyable book will be an eye opener even to those who think they know the subject well' Adam Zamoyski, Sunday Times 'Bonaparte's staggering ambition and penchant for blaming others for his mistakes are apparent throughout' Financial Times Summer Books 'An extraordinary story ... Dwyer has his own way of telling the story and this makes his book more than just a canter across familiar terrain ... an attractive addition to the literature on one of the most controversial figures in modern European history' Thomas Munch-Petersen, BBC History Magazine
Book Information
ISBN 9780747566779
Author Philip Dwyer
Format Paperback
Page Count 672
Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 40mm
