(810 pages)Napoleon's story line is pretty familiar by now . . . pops up in so many books/contexts . . . but this author had access to more of his letters than previous biographers - 33,000 letters in total . . . so it seemed like a good idea to re-up. And it was - this bio is readable, useful.
After reading all those letters - the author was generally sympathetic to Napoleon.
I have the impression that the "great man" [person] theory of history is pretty much out of fashion, and I'd think for good reason. Still - if any one person can be said to have moved the needle - Napoleon is a pretty good candidate. Amazing accomplishments across a broad range of topics at a very young age. Everyone is reacting to him across all of Europe for many decades - politics, military, legal, arts. (Interesting that Tolstoy was sufficiently moved by Napoleon to include as a central theme of this novel a refutation of "great man" theory.)
A few thoughts:
1. Only in the chaos resulting from the Revolution could someone like this advance so rapidly. (Not a criticism - he dealt with the circumstances as they existed.)
2. In his youth - into adulthood - he read high quality books incessantly. Viewed this as the best possible preparation. Agreed!
3. Of course ambitious - very much so - wanted to be remembered like Alexander or Caesar.
4. Yet able to connect with common soldiers; really with pretty much anyone - including British jailers - generally a good listener, able to absorb competing viewpoints and modify his own.
5. Author cites some major blind spots - economics (believed the Continental System would work); naval operations; putting his brothers in charge of key tasks; obsessed with Britain.
6. Biggest blind spot in my view - perhaps willful - pursuing policies/campaigns that resulted in the deaths of so many soldiers. And exhausted France. There had to be a better way. The "ambition" problem.
7. Military genius - seems definitely yes - innovator; though he fared less well as opponents adopted his innovations. Stories of the famous battles. Perceptive, decisive, personally brave.
8. Must have been an all-around genius - not just military. Rapid-fire and on-target decision-making in an astonishing array of subjects. Could handle both big picture and details - rare. Prolific letter writer - how things got done.
9. "Enlightenment on horseback" - gets back to Paris after initial wars, implements Code Napoleon - the truly lasting contribution; influence throughout Europe.
10. Information on Elba and St. Helena largely new to me.
Napoleon impresses, mightily.
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