Product Description

In Vienna, 1815, as the political aristocrats of Europe assembled to determine the fate of the continent after the wars of the last twenty years, the news arrives that Napoleon has returned to France. Bonaparte -- the revolutionary turned emperor and 'disturber of the world's peace' -- had been defeated and exiled to Elba, but now he is fast advancing on Paris, gathering troops and taking cities without firing a single shot. Europe's peace is not to last. NAPOLEON AND THE HUNDRED DAYS brilliantly re-lives the rise and fall of Bonaparte's empire, and brings to life the characters who shaped it: Wellington, the Iron Duke; Napoleon's great love, Josephine; the duplicitous Tallyrand, his erstwhile foreign secretary; and, of course, Napoleon himself. Showing where the mistakes were made and how the path to war became inexorable, it culminates in a virtuoso description of the Battle of Waterloo itself. Displaying his customary blend of historian's and novelist's eye, Stephen Coote paints a vivid portrait of the legendary emperor and military genius, whose energy, courage and tenacity won -- and lost -- him a vast empire.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #469707 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review
In the spring 1815, the Great Powers of Europe met at Vienna to carve up the continent following the defeat of Napoleon's France. Their deliberations were, however dramatically interrupted by the news that the Bonaparte had escaped from exile on the Italian island of Elba, and was heading for Paris. So began the extraordinary 'Hundred Days', during which Napoleon regained power without a shot being fired, only to lead France to a final, bloody, defeat at Waterloo. This story is brilliantly told by Stephen Coote, who brings the events dramatically to life. He expertly captures the flawed genius of Napoleon, who provided his nation with 'la gloire', but at the cost of the lives of thousands of her sons on the battlefields of Europe. Coote also handles the often complex politics of the age with a deft touch. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in Napoleon and his age. (Kirkus UK)

About the Author
Stephen Coote was educated at Magdelene College, Cambridge and at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is the author of several acclaimed biographies including lives of Charles II, W. B. Yeats, John Keats and, most recently, Samuel Pepys: according to the SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, 'A subtle and intelligent portrait, not just of the man, but of the volatile political milieu in which he moved.'

Customer Reviews

A facinating account of a glorious episode
Stephen Coote does the incredible episode that was the 100 days justice with a fine display of historial writing that combines a sure narrative with brilliant analysis. Coote offers an array of vignettes of the main characters involved including King Louis, Fouche and Tallyrand but ultimatately it is the brilliant if saddening portrait of the Emperor himself that leaves the longest impression. This is a good introduction to the final throes of the Napoleonic period.

Good read, bad history.
It's surprising this book made it to publication in the non-fiction category. It is incompetently researched, unfortunately polemical and badly biassed. The author is determined to bury Boney and praise Wellington throughout - thus Bonaparte escaping from Elba is portrayed as agressive and deceitful, having the audacity to try and escape secretly without informing his enemies, whereas the fact Wellington was mistrusted by his friends because he 'did not always tell the whole truth,' (ie he lied to his compatriots and allies,) is simply something which 'can be overstated.'

Coote truly seems to believe that Napoleon wanted nothing more in life than to cause mass destruction. We should not be surprised that he makes no mention of the Code Napoleon, upon which so many nations' laws are still based, or the fact that British governments were continually prepared to risk bankruptcy rather than have a nation nextdoor with something similar to universal voting rights. Early on in the book he pathetically describes the coalition allies (who he accurately notes hated each other) as 'appalled at the bloodshed' of war. He cheerfully goes on to describe British regiments cracking open the champagne and the nation rejoicing when it was announced war had indeed broken out.
(Except for the pesky political party in opposition, who in opposing another possibly financially ruinous war and proposing a peaceful solution were, in the author's view, simply hopeful that Napoleon might manage to convene another massive humanitarian slaughter.)
His coverage of the Waterloo campaign generally and the battle itself in particular is risible. He accepts Wellington's (very much later on) opinion of the Prussian deployment at Ligny at face value when primary sources famously note that to see them he would have needed a telescope which could see through hills, and by the end of the final battle he can't even tell his young guard from his old.

Many of the biographies listed inside the front pages cover characters I'm curious about, but given this book I will be looking to other writers when the time comes.

If you want to know about Waterloo, (I think: - this is a review after all) the most balanced thing recently has been Barbero's The Battle, (the author's Italian and may therefore not have much of an axe to grind) and for more in depth studies, (both with big axes to grind) try Hamilton-Williams (loves Napoleon) and Hofschroer (hates Napoleon and hates Wellington even more!).

It gets one star because he writes well.

Brilliant read
I really enjoyed this book. Written in a very easy to read style and even if you're not into Napoleon per se you'll enjoy the book. Full marks.