The Life and Opinions of General Sir Charles James Napier, G.C.B.

Napier's heroic and controversial military career is documented in this four-volume biography, published in 1857 by his brother.

William Francis Patrick Napier (Author)

9781108027205, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 March 2011

498 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.8 cm, 0.63 kg

Heroic, ambitious, opinionated and independent to the point of insubordination, Sir Charles James Napier (1782–1853) was an inspiring leader. Published in 1857 in four volumes, this is the story of Napier's remarkable, action-packed and often controversial life and military career, as told by his brother William. The biography places Napier's life in historical context, and contains portraits, extracts from his letters and entertaining anecdotes. William's admiration for his brother is evident throughout, and he describes how his brother's fiery character divided opinion. A close friend of Lord Byron, Napier also had a great admirer in Thomas Carlyle, who described him as 'more of a hero than any modern I have seen for a long time'. Volume 1 describes Napier's upbringing in Ireland - where, according to his brother, he was 'sickly as a child from the misconduct of a barbarous nurse' - and his early years abroad in combat.

Part I. Parentage
Part II. Rifle Corps
Part III. General Fox's staff, London
Part IV: 1. Mr. Pitt
2. State of the army
Part V. 50th Regiment
Part VI: 1. Resemblance to a chained eagle
2. Massena retreats
Part VII: 1. Letters to Prince Regent
2. American expedition
Part VIII. Exchange to 50th Regiment
Part IX. Napoleon
Part X: 1. Cephalonia
2. Quarantine
3. Greek command
4. Politics
5. Seymour Bathurst
Part XI: 1. Private life
2. Australian government.

Subject Areas: Military history [HBW]