Napoleon: The Path to Power 1769-1799 - Softcover

Dwyer, Philip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0747586357 ISBN 13: 9780747586357

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2007

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review

'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

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0747586357
• ISBN 13: 9780747586357
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 651