The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Vol. 4 (of 4)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

34838

Title

The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Vol. 4 (of 4)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This collection compiles extensive historical references regarding the Hundred Days, Waterloo, Napoleon's exile, and the Congress of Vienna. It synthesizes military strategies, diplomatic acts, and personal memoirs from key figures like Wellington, Grouchy, and Las Cases to offer a comprehensive view of 1815.

Summary up to 500 words

The provided text serves as a comprehensive bibliography and reference guide for the final phase of Napoleon Bonaparte's career, specifically covering his journey from Fontainebleau to Fréjus in April 1814, the Hundred Days, the Waterloo campaign, and his exile on Saint Helena. The narrative scope begins with the political maneuvering following Napoleon's first abdication, referencing memoirs by Czartoryski and historical analyses by Houssaye regarding his escape from Elba. The central focus shifts to the Hundred Days and the catastrophic defeat at Waterloo. A vast array of sources is cited to reconstruct this period, including diplomatic correspondence from Castlereagh, military histories by Clausewitz and Jomini, and personal accounts from key figures such as Wellington, Grouchy, and Marshal Davout. The text highlights the intense debate surrounding the battle's outcome, particularly the role of Prussian General Staff officers who utilized lanterns to coordinate strategy under difficult conditions—a detail that later fueled German nationalistic exultation under Emperor William II. Following Waterloo, the narrative follows Napoleon's rapid flight across France and his eventual surrender. The bibliography extensively documents his voyage to Saint Helena aboard HMS Northumberland, drawing from diaries of Cockburn and Lowe, as well as the definitive *Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène* by Las Cases. The text also addresses the controversial nature of these exile accounts, listing numerous conflicting memoirs by Montholon, O'Meara, Antommarchi, and Silvestre that offer varying perspectives on Napoleon's final days. Throughout the references, themes of military strategy, diplomatic failure, and the romanticization versus the reality of the Napoleonic legend are prominent. The tone is scholarly yet acknowledges the emotional weight of these events, citing works like Mrs. Abell's *Recollections* and Rosebery's analysis of Napoleon's last phase. Ultimately, this collection of references aims to provide a rigorous foundation for understanding the end of an empire, balancing official dispatches with personal reflections from those who witnessed history firsthand.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821
• France -- History -- Consulate and First Empire, 1799-1815
• Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 -- Bibliography
• France -- History -- Consulate and First Empire, 1799-1815 -- Bibliography