Questions About Napoleon: A Life

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Answered Questions (3)

I'm a little confused. Goodreads lists Roberts's earlier biography of Napoleon: "Napoleon: A life" as just another edition of this book. Is there overlap between the two?

Don Janssen According to Wikipedia the original title was "Napoleon the Great", the American edition being titled "Napoleon: A Life". …moreAccording to Wikipedia the original title was "Napoleon the Great", the American edition being titled "Napoleon: A Life". (less)

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Does this book highlight the wrong deeds of Napoleon like limiting of women's rights, reintroducing slavery, attempting to crush the Haitian Revolution and stuff like that? I really appreciate Napoleon Bonaparte but I just want to make sure I end up reading something which is just praising him.

Rick Pucci Yes it shows his mistakes & bad decisions throughout. He was far from perfect.
…moreYes it shows his mistakes & bad decisions throughout. He was far from perfect.
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Is this book fine to read with only rudimentary knowledge of the history Napoleon and his importance? If not, what books are better to start with?

Simon Pockley I'm a third of the way through and finding that my ignorance of European history and it's main players and thinkers is cause for bafflement in some se…moreI'm a third of the way through and finding that my ignorance of European history and it's main players and thinkers is cause for bafflement in some sections. However, it's not a barrier to enjoyment of this wonderful book. I came to it after reading Balzac (The Black Sheep) which prompted the question, why did French install an Emperor so soon after the Revolution? Not only is this book answering the question but opening my mind to so much that is fascinating and thought provoking.(less)

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