Napoleon

Published in 1971 this biography is far from young, yet it would be a pity to pass it over. The thing is, the English historian Vincent Cronin is not only focusing on the great events of the napoleonic saga; he aims in fact to get to grip with who was Napoleon, his personality, the man behind the iconic historical figure. Making him thus more accessible, personal and human, this biography turns indeed to be a must read for anyone interested in the topic.

It's obviously very difficult to be without bias when dealing with such a character so, like many other authors, Vincent Cronin of course has his own prejudices. He is (weirdly for an English, LOL!) very partisan.

Napoleon is here presented as a incredible man, patriot, ambitious not show more only for himself but France as well, and those whole politics reflects a revolutionary ideal out of norm.Whose who share such an opinion will obviously be delighted. However, what makes this book a treasure is that whose rejecting it will love it as much because, with such a view in mind, the way he deals and attempts to explain facts normally considered more than telling (e.g. freedom of opinion and speech, the Russian campaign...) truly deserve a go.

For sure, trying to explain controversial historical events through a difficult to grasp personality is not without risk. He idealises his subject, it's romantic somehow, maybe also naive, but such defects are compensated by a very pleasing and flowing style. In fact, I finished it not with the feeling of having read yet another account of the napoleonic adventure but, with the strong impress of having lived through it all alongside Napoleon himself. That was the goal of the historian. He achieved it brilliantly. show less

O autor busca em diários e relatos críveis contemporâneos ao Napoleão, bem como na própria produção extensa deste, para construir uma visão pessoal de uma figura que foi alvo de uma imensa campanha de propaganda de seus inimigos para formar a imagem de um monstro ambicioso disposto a tudo para conseguir poder. O livro mostra um Napoleão humano, bem-humorado, apaixonado e generoso, porém impaciente, impulsivo e nervoso, características que Vincent defende que foram responsáveis pelas suas derrotas. Buscando razões para seus comportamentos na sua ascendência e criação, o autor pode, em alguns momentos, oferecer uma visão otimista demais do general estadista, porém sempre baseando-se nos fatos encontrados em suas show more fontes.
Os capítulos seguem uma cronologia básica, porém alguns deles que dedicam-se à aspectos específicos podem ir e voltar um pouco no tempo, o que exige uma atenção do leitor para não se perder na ordem dos fatos. show less

I recently finished this book. I liked it as a biography and thought it was rich with detail. I enjoyed Cronin's organization and came away with an increased appreciation for Napoleon's many accomplishments as well as some sympathy for his failings.

Although unobjective (decidedly pro-Napoleon), I recommend this book. It is very readable, gives a wealth of captivating detail, and captures the spirit of both the man and the time.

Hopelessly and ridiculously pro-Bonaparte

Two brief refs to Volney: one in Corsica, one regarding Egypt.

Estadista brillante, figura trágica exaltada por el Romanticismo, déspota y militar ambicioso al mando de grandes campañas expansionistas, Napoleón suscita el odio o la admiración, pero nunca la indiferencia. La simple mención de Waterloo y Austerlitz evoca amplios escenarios bélicos, victorias sublimes y derrotas devastadoras; el nombre de Santa Elena recuerda la soledad del héroe en cautiverio y su muerte en el abandono. Napoleón, que se autodenominó Hijo de la Revolución, sentó las bases de la estrategia de guerra convencional y fue autor del código que lleva su nombre y que propagó por toda Europa. Vincent Cronin combina su indudable habilidad narrativa y una amplia y nueva documentación sobre el personaje para trazar show more un retrato psicológico y profundamente humano de ese gran estadista show less