NAPOLEON'S LIBRARY: The Emperor, His Books and Their Influence on the Napoleonic Era

1-243890

Explores Napoleon's love of literature that started as a child and carried through his entire life. He not only enjoyed literature for its own sake, but he also understood the value of books as instruments of power. Before a campaign, he poured over dozens of texts relating to the relevant theaters' geography, population, trade, and history. When contemplating grave decisions, such as his divorce to Empress Josephine, he consulted the historical record for useful precedents to justify and inform his actions. To bolster his troop's morale during challenging times, he constantly referenced history in his proclamations, making his contemporaries feel as if they were actively shaping history. Looks at the emperor's favorite authors and seeks to further understanding his mind. Contains 16 mono illustrations.