The Bottom Line
This is the best, and most accessible, biography of Napoleon on the market today.
Pros
- Sharp and witty
- An excellent synthesis
- Almost entirely believable
Cons
- No footnotes or extended support
- 'Only' a synthesis
- A specialist atlas would be handy
Description
- 739 pages including a superb reading list
- 16 pages of glossy pictures
- Published by Pimlico, ISBN: 0712662472
Guide Review - Napoleon - A Biography by Frank McLynn
McLynn's stunning interpretation of Napoleon's life and career may not break new ground in terms of academic scholarship, but his masterly synthesis and acerbic, driving, style will bring a greater understanding of the Emperor to many people. Napoleon does justice to a vastly contradictory figure, highlighting the peaks of his achievement, his gross mistakes and many of the shades in-between. Some people will use this volume as the basis for further reading, others will rely on it as their only Napoleonic book; it's easily good enough for either!
