You've probably seen that iconic painting of Napoleon. The one where he’s charging on a white horse, looking like the ultimate conqueror. It's a vibe. But honestly, most of us just associate the guy with being short (he wasn't) and losing at Waterloo.
Then comes along Andrew Roberts.
He didn't just write another boring history book. He basically lived the guy's life. He traveled to 53 of Napoleon's 60 battlefields. He even went to St. Helena, that tiny island in the middle of nowhere where Napoleon died. When you read the napoleon biography andrew roberts wrote, you aren't just getting dates and facts. You're getting the grit, the ego, and the weirdly frantic energy of a man who couldn't sit still for five minutes.
The 33,000 Letters That Changed Everything
Most biographers in the past had to guess what Napoleon was thinking. They relied on memoirs written by people who either loved him or hated his guts.
Roberts had a secret weapon.
Starting in 2004, the Fondation Napoléon in Paris began publishing the Emperor’s complete correspondence. We’re talking over 33,000 letters. This is huge. It’s the difference between hearing a rumor about someone and reading their actual DMs.
These letters show a guy who was a total micromanager. While he was out winning battles like Austerlitz, he was also writing letters back to Paris about how the local girls' school should be run or what the new opera house decor should look like. Kinda wild, right? Roberts uses these to show that Napoleon wasn't just a soldier; he was a "protean multitasker" who arguably did more for French infrastructure than anyone else in history.
Why He Called It Napoleon the Great
If you buy this book in the UK, the title is Napoleon the Great. In the US, it’s just Napoleon: A Life. Roberts did that on purpose. He’s making a stand.
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Most British historians have spent the last 200 years acting like Napoleon was a "proto-Hitler" or a monster. Roberts says that’s nonsense. He argues that Napoleon deserves the "Great" title alongside people like Alexander the Great or Frederick the Great.
He wasn't a perfect guy. Not by a long shot.
But look at what he left behind:
- The Napoleonic Code (which is still the basis for many legal systems today)
- The meritocracy (getting a job because you're good at it, not because your dad is a Duke)
- The beautification of Paris (think the Arc de Triomphe)
- Religious tolerance for Jews and Protestants in a very Catholic France
Roberts is definitely a fan. You can feel it in the prose. Some critics say he's a bit too much of a "fanboy," but honestly, it makes for a way better read than a dry academic text. He writes with this "cavalry charge" momentum that keeps you turning pages even when you're 600 pages deep into a 900-page tome.
The Josephine Myth Gets Busted
We all know the "Oh, Josephine!" romance story. It’s the stuff of movies. But the napoleon biography andrew roberts paints a much more complicated—and kinda depressing—picture.
Josephine took a lover almost immediately after they got married. Napoleon was off in Italy writing these desperate, horny, heartbreaking letters to her, and she was back in Paris barely reading them.
He eventually found out.
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It broke something in him. After that, he became the one who cheated. Roberts points out that Napoleon had about three times as many mistresses as he ever officially admitted to. The book treats their relationship less like a fairy tale and more like a high-stakes political drama where both parties were constantly trying to keep their heads above water.
Standing on the Deathbed
Here is a weirdly specific detail. While filming a BBC documentary based on the book, Andrew Roberts actually lay down on Napoleon's deathbed in Longwood House.
Why? To check the height thing.
Napoleon was about 5'6". In the early 1800s, that was actually slightly above average. The "short" rumor came from British propaganda and a misunderstanding of French inches vs. English inches. Roberts is roughly the same height, and he confirmed that he fit the bed perfectly.
It’s that kind of boots-on-the-ground research that sets this biography apart. Roberts didn't just sit in a library in London. He went to the place where the stuff happened. He walked the mud at Waterloo and the hills at Borodino.
The Mistakes That Ruined Everything
You can't write about Napoleon without talking about the downfall. Roberts doesn't go easy on him here.
The invasion of Russia in 1812 was a catastrophe. Pure and simple.
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Napoleon thought he could force Tsar Alexander I into one big battle, win it, and go home. Instead, the Russians just kept retreating and burning everything. Napoleon's ego wouldn't let him turn back until it was too late. The description of the retreat from Moscow is brutal. Men freezing, horses dying, the "Grand Armée" basically evaporating into the snow.
Roberts argues that Napoleon’s biggest flaw was his inability to know when to stop. He was addicted to the "one more win" mentality.
How to Actually Tackle This Book
Look, it’s 900 pages. It’s heavy. You could use it as a doorstop or a weapon. If you're going to read it, don't try to power through it in a weekend.
- Treat it like a Netflix series. Read it in "episodes." The book is broken down into his rise, his mastery of Europe, and his fall.
- Keep a map nearby. Or use the ones in the book. Napoleon’s genius was all about geography—how he used a hill or a river to trap an army twice his size.
- Listen to the audiobook. The version narrated by John Lee is legendary. He makes the battle scenes sound like a movie.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Napoleon was a warmonger who just wanted to kill everyone. Roberts shows that most of the wars were actually declared on him by the other European monarchies who were terrified that his "revolutionary" ideas (like, you know, people having rights) would spread to their countries.
He was a dictator? Yes.
He was ambitious to a fault? Absolutely.
But he was also a man who believed in science, education, and the law.
Actionable Takeaway for History Buffs
If you’re looking to dive into this, start by watching the 3-part BBC documentary Napoleon (2015) hosted by Roberts. It’s a great "trailer" for the book. Once you’ve got the visuals in your head, the 900 pages don't seem nearly as intimidating.
The real value of this biography isn't just learning about a dead French guy. It’s a masterclass in leadership, psychology, and what happens when one person has way too much power.
Pick up a copy of the napoleon biography andrew roberts and skip the Wikipedia summary. The real story is much weirder and more impressive than the myth. Focus on the chapters regarding the 1805 campaign—it’s widely considered the peak of his tactical genius and Roberts explains it better than anyone else.
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