Reading this great book written in 1932 by Franco-English historian Belloc. The author looks like Napoleon. Same hair styling "A la Romaine", rather from the Consulate period than from the Revolution. Highly conservative, fundamentalist Christian, Belloc believes in Imperators, Commanders in Chief as opposed to parliaments. The more authority the better. Napoleon is the episode of History that clearly aimed at creating for France and for Europe the Fourth Dynasty: after the First Dynasty called the Franks or Merovingians, whom he assimilates to Roman Generals that followed the breakdown of the Imperial administration and took over Gaul's government, the Carolingians of the Second Dynasty culminate with the year 800 and the crowning of Charlemagne. The Third Dynasty originating from Hugues Capet in the year 1000 that gradually governed France for 900 years until the Revolution creates a new society. From the First Consulate to the assassination of the Duke of Enghien the author celebrates the crowning with the Imperial title of his subject on December 2 1804, Napoleon hoped to have his Fourth Dynasty succeed the Third like the First succeeded the Second. Belloc's introduction is still resonating to this day: "The task before us today is the re-uniting of Europe. Not a federation of the world - a mechanical idea without historic or organic basis - but the resconstruction of one Europe is the business by which we must be tested, and according to our success or failure in which we shall live or die" ( )

Beautiful book with beautiful plates and maps