The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor of the French
With a Preliminary View of the French Revolution

A detailed biography of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) containing a review of the French Revolution, first published in 1827.

Walter Scott (Author)

9781108023191, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 December 2010

536 pages
21.6 x 14 x 3 cm, 0.67 kg

Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) was a prolific Scottish poet and historical novelist who was one of the most popular romantic novelists of the nineteenth century. After studying law at Edinburgh University, Scott first started writing at the age of 25. Having made his name as a poet, he wrote the phenomenally successful novel Waverley in 1814 and was made a baronet in 1820. These volumes, first published in 1827, contain Scott's detailed biography of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821). Including a detailed review of the French Revolution, Scott focuses on Napoleon's legacy to France and his military genius, purposefully remaining non-partisan and discussing Napoleon's life and achievements without bias. The result of extensive research and correspondence with Napoleon's surviving colleagues, these volumes were extremely successful and remain valuable for the study of Napoleon's life and changing public reaction. Volume 8 covers 1813–1815, including the Battle of Waterloo.

1. Preparations of Napoleon against the invasion of France
2. Declaration of the view of the Allies in entering France
4. Retrospect of military events on the French frontiers
5. Difficulties of Buonaparte
6. Plans of Buonaparte in his present difficulties considered
7. State of parties in Paris
8. Fears of the Parisians
9. The allied sovereigns issue a proclamation that they will not treat with Buonaparte
10. Victor, and others of the French mareschals, give in their adhesion to the Provisional Government
11. Commissioners appointed to escort Napoleon
12. Elba
13. Retrospect
14. Carnot's memorial on public affairs
15. Various attempts to organize a defence for the Bourbons fails
16. Buonaparte's attempts to conciliate Britain
17. Preparations to renew the war
18. Army of Wellington covers Brussels
19. Napoleon's expectation that the Alliance would be broken up in case of his defeating the English in Belgium.

Subject Areas: European history [HBJD]