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)

9781108027236, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 March 2011

448 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 2.5 x 14 cm, 0.57 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 Charles'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 4 includes Napier's resignation in 1847 and return to England, his social engagements, his final posting to India in 1849, the controversies that followed him into retirement, and his death in 1853.

Part XVI cont.: 7. Official memoir on Scinde
8. Scindian army broken up
Part XVII: 1. Defiance to enemies
2. Defeat of the Bhoogtees
3. Vulgar insolence of enemies
4. Punjaub war
Part XVIII: 1. Retrospect and view of affairs
2. Sketch of Sepoy mutiny
3. Directors' enmity
4. Directors cockpen
Part XIV: 1. Private life
2. Lies are lively things
Part XX: 1. Approach of death.

Subject Areas: Military history [HBW]