Name: Bedtime Biography: Napoleon The Great
Rating: 4.7 (159 reviews)
Author: Andrew Roberts

Introduction

Bedtime Biographies are best when listened to. Check out the audio version to get the full experience!

Few people have left as large a mark on history as Napoleon Bonaparte – a man of relatively humble origins who became an emperor and conquered much of Europe.

In this bedtime biography, we’ll explore Napoleon’s story. We’ll learn about his upbringing, his rise to power, and his many battles and wars. It’s a long and fascinating story, so make sure you’re comfy, and we’ll begin.

Chapter 1

The man who would become known to history as Napoleon Bonaparte was born as Napoleone di Buonaparte on August 15, 1769. His birthplace was Corsica, a small, sunny island in the Mediterranean. Though Napoleon would go on to be a hero of France, his parents, Carlo and Letizia di Buonaparte, had Italian roots.

Corsica was a small island, with a rich and distinct culture of its own. But by the time of Napoleon’s birth it had been conquered by France.

Chapter 2

A few years after becoming a general, Napoleon was handed control of the Army of Italy – a division of the French Army.

Napoleon took up his new post on March 26, 1796. His assignment was simple: to drive Austrian forces out of Italy. He was more than ready for the job. For three years he’d studied Italy, forming plans for how to advance through the landscape.

Chapter 3

On November 9, 1799, Napoleon launched his coup. At first it went well, but then, on November 10, Napoleon entered the government’s council chambers to announce his intentions. The council didn’t agree. When the council realized what Napoleon was proposing, they couldn’t hide their anger. “Traitor!” “Outlaw!” “Down with the Dictator!” they cried. Then things turned violent. Politicians lept from their benches to confront Napoleon; they slapped him, grabbed at him, and screamed in his face.

Napoleon quickly fled in some distress.

Chapter 4

Napoleon’s Continental System might have worked in theory, but in practice, it was far from perfect. For one, it was almost impossible to maintain. Sure, some nations might have promised to stop trading with Britain, but that didn’t mean they actually would. And many were bitter that France had tried to interfere with their economic affairs.

The Russians hated the system especially. They undermined it at every chance, much to the annoyance of the French. The goodwill between the two nations began to erode. Then, in 1810, things finally came to a head. The Tsar broke with France and joined forces with Britain. Once again, Napoleon went to war.

Key ideas in Bedtime Biography: Napoleon The Great

What is Bedtime Biography: Napoleon The Great about?

Narrated by Cathleen McCarron

Music by Federico Coderoni

Napoleon the Great (2014) is an in-depth look into the life and times of the infamous French conqueror, Napoleon Bonaparte. These blinks detail how Napoleon, once a penniless young man, became a general at the age of 24 before going on to revolutionize the French military and government, and leaving an indelible mark on European and world history.