Reproduction of the original: The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Vol. IV by William Milligan Sloane

Europas historie, Frankrigs historie, fransk militærhistorie og krigshistorie - amerikansk biografi om Napoleon (1769-1821), den store franske kejser, hærfører, soldat, militær leder, feltherre, politiker og statsmand, som i den grad ændrede Europakortet og Frankrigs historie, og ikke mindst militærhistorien med sine forbløffende, forbavsende og brilliante sejre. Napoleon er beundret og hadet og forkætret som få, og der er skrevet så utroligt mange bøger om ham, også meget vås; dette 4-bindsværk hører til i den absolut lødige del af Napoleonslitteraturen. Stilen er fin og meget bredt fortællende, men historisk absolut korrekt, det forfriskende ved værket er den amerikanske synsvinkel, og de sidste kapitler som forsøger at beskrive Napoleon og hans betydning for Frankrig og Europa i en bredere sammenhæng. Det allerbedste ved værket er dog illustrationerne. Billedmaterialet er meget fint, smukke reproduktioner af samtidige kunstnere, dels med Napoleon selv, og hans familie og forskellige "gribende" episoder i hans brogede liv, og dels de mange krigsbilleder, med forskellige krigsepisoder og krigsoplevelser med franske soldater og den franske hær, herunder en del fine uniformsbilleder og slagscener. Værket er i 4 dele, i stort format, udkom i 1894 (denne udgave fra 1896) og er skrevet af en amerikansk historieprofessor ved Princeton Universitetet. Hvert bind har en liste over illustrationerne, og udførlige kapiteloverskrifter med mange stikordsindgange til værket, desuden samlet register til alle 4 bind bagerst i bd.4.

William Milligan Sloane's The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte is a comprehensive four-volume biography that delves into the life and accomplishments of the infamous French leader. Sloane's meticulous research and detailed analysis provide readers with a deep understanding of Napoleon's rise to power, his military campaigns, and his legacy in European history. The narrative is written in a scholarly yet engaging style, making it accessible to readers interested in biography, history, and military strategy. By exploring Napoleon's complex character and the political dynamics of his time, Sloane offers a nuanced portrayal of one of the most influential figures in modern history. William Milligan Sloane, a respected historian and academic, brings his expertise in European history to this monumental work on Napoleon Bonaparte. His background in teaching and research informs the depth and accuracy of the biography, making it a valuable resource for scholars and history enthusiasts alike. Sloane's passion for the subject shines through in his vivid storytelling and insightful analysis of Napoleon's impact on France and the world. I highly recommend William Milligan Sloane's The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte to anyone interested in delving deeper into the life and legacy of one of history's most fascinating figures. This meticulously researched biography offers a comprehensive look at Napoleon's influence on European politics and warfare, providing valuable insights into his character and historical significance.

William Milligan Sloane's comprehensive work, 'The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte,' is a meticulous four-volume edition that offers a detailed account of the renowned French emperor's life and legacy. The book delves into Napoleon's military campaigns, political strategies, and personal life, providing a thorough examination of his impact on European history. Written in a scholarly yet engaging style, Sloane's narrative presents a balanced perspective on both the triumphs and shortcomings of Napoleon's rule, offering readers a nuanced understanding of this complex figure within his historical context. With rich detail and insightful analysis, 'The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte' is a valuable resource for those interested in the study of military history and political leadership.

In this “engrossing,” (The New Yorker) vivid, and intensively researched volume, esteemed Napoleon scholar David Chandler outlines the military strategy that led the famous French emperor to his greatest victories—and to his ultimate downfall. Napoleonic war was nothing if not complex—an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of moves and intentions, which by themselves went a long way towards baffling and dazing his conventionally minded opponents into that state of disconcerting moral disequilibrium which so often resulted in their catastrophic defeat. The Campaigns of Napoleon is a masterful analysis and insightful critique of Napoleon's art of war as he himself developed and perfected it in the major military campaigns of his career. Napoleon disavowed any suggestion that he worked from formula (“Je n'ai jamais eu un plan d'opérations”), but military historian David Chandler demonstrates this was at best only a half-truth. To be sure, every operation Napoleon conducted contained unique improvisatory features. But there were from the first to the last certain basic principles of strategic maneuver and battlefield planning that he almost invariably put into practice. To clarify these underlying methods, as well as the style of Napoleon's fabulous intellect, Chandler examines in detail each campaign mounted and personally conducted by Napoleon, analyzing the strategies employed, revealing wherever possible the probable sources of his subject's military ideas. “Writing clearly and vividly, [Chandler] turns dozens of persons besides Napoleon from mere wooden soldiers into three- dimensional characters” (The Boston Globe) and this definitive work is “a fine book for the historian, the student, and the intelligent reader” (The New York Review of Books).