This document provides summaries and recommendations for resources about Napoleon and the Napoleonic era. It begins with summaries of four documentary films on Napoleon that range from 4 hours to 1 hour and 28 minutes. It then summarizes several books on Napoleon and his armies, including comprehensive works by John Elting and David Chandler. Further recommendations include historical fiction novels by Bernard Cornwell, websites containing resources on Napoleon, and episodes from a television drama about Napoleon's life. The document is aimed at providing concise overviews and guidance for further viewing, reading, and surfing on topics related to Napoleon.

1. Napoleon
Guide for Viewing, Reading & Surfing
General
Napoleon PBS 4 hrs (2000) (N) When I started watching this I almost gave up
preparing the class. Who could compete with this? Golden-throated David McCullough, a
stable of French and Anglo expert talking heads, all having spent their careers studying
the Emperor. Including Col John Elting, who wrote the West Point Atlas I’ve used for
your maps. And the visuals! The production values. Enjoy!
Napoleon: The Myth, The Battles, The Legend: 2 Disks 2 hrs 25 min
@ (2001) (N) Another overview. Minimal reenactments. Many British “talking
heads” with varying viewpoints from critical to adulatory. Gets “down in the weeds.” But
worthwhile for the provocative thoughts expressed.
Napoleon’s Final Battle 1 hr 28 min 2006 (N) Despite the title, this National
Geographic presentation is a succinct view of his entire career. It focuses on the Hundred
Days of 1815 but used flashbacks to tell his entire career. If an hour and a half is all you
want to invest, you can’t do better. Well shot costumed re-enactments of the key events.
Minimal “talking heads,” but well done.
Elting, John. Swords around the Throne. 1988 (2)
This authoritative, comprehensive, and enthralling book describes and analyzes
Napoleon's most powerful weapon -- the Grande Armée, which at its peak numbered over
a million soldiers. Elting examines every facet of this incredibly complex human
machine: its organization, command system, logistics, weapons, tactics, discipline,
recreation, mobile hospitals, camp followers, and more. From the army’s formation out of
the turmoil of Revolutionary France through its swift conquests of vast territories across
Europe to its legendary death at Waterloo, this book uses excerpts from soldiers’ letters,
eyewitness accounts, and numerous firsthand details to place the reader in the boots of
Napoleon’s conscripts and generals. In Elting’s masterful hands the experience is truly
unforgettable.
Chandler, David G. The Campaigns of Napoleon. 1966 (3)
The Campaigns of Napoleon is an exhaustive analysis and critique of Napoleon’s art of

2. war as he himself developed and perfected it in the major military campaigns of his
career. Napoleon disavowed any suggestion that he worked from formula (“Je n’ai
jamais eu un plan d’opérations”), but military historian David Chandler demonstrates
this was at best only a half-truth. To be sure, every operation Napoleon conducted
contained unique improvisatory features. But there were from the first to the last certain
basic principles of strategic maneuver and battlefield planning that he almost invariably
put into practice. To clarify these underlying methods, as well as the style of Napoleon’s
fabulous intellect, Mr. Chandler examines in detail each campaign mounted and
personally conducted by Napoleon, analyzing the strategies employed, revealing
wherever possible the probable sources of his subject’s military ideas.
The book opens with a brief account of Bonaparte’s early years, his military education
and formative experiences, and his meteoric rise to the rank of general in the army of the
Directory. Introducing the elements of Napoleonic “grand tactics” as they developed in
his Italian, Egyptian, and Syrian campaigns, Mr. Chandler shows how these principles
were clearly conceived as early as the Battle of Castiglione, when Napoleon was only
twenty –six. Several campaigns later, he was Emperor of France, busily constructing the
Grande Armée. This great war machine is described in considerable detail: the
composition of the armies and the élite Guard; the staff system and the methods of
command; the kind of artillery and firearms used; and the daily life of the Grande Armée
and the all-seeing and all-commanding virtuoso who presided over every aspect of its
operation in the field.
As the great machine sweeps into action in the campaigns along the Rhine and the
Danube, in East Prussia and Poland, and in Portugal and Spain, David Chandler follows
closely every move that vindicates – or challenges – the legend of Napoleon’s military
genius. As the major battles take their gory courses – Austerlitz, Jena, Fried-land – we
see Napoleon’s star reaching its zenith. Then, in the Wagram Campaign of 1809 against
the Austrians – his last real success – the great man commits more errors of judgment
than in all his previous wars and battles put together. As the campaigns rage on, his
declining powers seem to justify his own statement: “One has but a short time for war.”
Then the horrors of the Russian campaign forever shatter the image of Napoleonic
invincibility. It is thereafter a short, though heroic and sanguinary, road to Waterloo and
St. Helena.
Napoleon appears most strikingly in these pages as the brilliant applier of the ideas of
others rather than as an original military thinker, his genius proving itself more practical
than theoretical. Paradoxically, this was both his chief strength and his main weakness as
a general. After bringing the French army a decade of victory, his methods became
increasingly stereotyped and, even worse, were widely copied by his foes, who operated
against him with increasing effectiveness toward the end of his career. Yet even though
his enemies attempted to imitate his techniques, as have others in the last century and a
half, no one ever equaled his success. As these meticulous campaign analyses testify, his
multifaceted genius was unique. Even as the end approached, as David Chandler points
out, his eclipse was “the failure of a giant surrounded by pygmies.”
“The flight of the eagle was over; the ‘ogre’ was safely caged at last, and an exhausted

3. Europe settled down once more to attempt a return to former ways of life and
government. But the shade of Napoleon lingered on irresistibly for many years after his
death in 1821. It lingers yet.”—review in The Boston Globe
Bruce, Robert, Iain Dickie, Kevin Kiley et al., eds. Fighting Techniques
of the Napoleonic Age; 1792-1815. 2008 at abe for about $8-9, new
In this thematically-organized, thoroughly-illustrated reference text, five expert authors
describe the fighting techniques used at the height of Napoleon Bonaparte`s empire. The
book explores the tactics and strategy required to win battles and describes how the
drastic changes in weapons technology and military systems altered the face of the
battlefield permanently. Using specially-commissioned color and black and white
artworks to illustrate the battles, equipment and tactics of the era, Fighting Techniques of
the Napoleonic Age shows in detail how the battles that would define Europe for years to
come were fought and won. In this thematically-organized, thoroughly-illustrated
reference text, five expert authors describe the fighting tactics, equipment and techniques
used at the height of Napoleon Bonaparte`s empire as well as the developments in
weapons technology and changes in military systems. The book shows in detail how the
battles that would define Europe for years to come were fought and won.
Table of Contents:The Role of Infantry; Mounted Warfare; Command and Control;
Artillery and Siege Warfare; Naval Warfare;Select Bibliography;Index
The Osprey series: Freemont-Barnes. Napoleon Bonaparte; Leadership •
Strategy • Conflict. 2010 at abe $10 &c.
This would be my choice for a “textbook” if you’re interested in getting a single volume
(64 pp.). There are probably more related titles on Napoleonic warfare in this excellent
publishing house than any other military period. You could go broke (and I probably
will) trying to get them all. My strategy is to buy them second hand through the
abebooks.com/ website. Saves about 20-30% off new. Osprey’s website lists the
specialized titles such as French Napoleonic Infantry Tactics 1792-1815.
Napoleon : vol 3. (Bonus materials) 2 hrs 40 min 2002 (N)
The Napoleon and Wellington episode (1 hr 36 min) is an excellent bi of these two
opponents, both born in 1769! A really fine intro to Napoleon’s career. It culminates in
an excellent analysis of Waterloo.
www.napoleonicsociety.com A very enthusiastic (biased) biography is
available at this site along with many other resources.
www. Napoleon.org The website of the Fondation Napoléon. It can be
viewed in either French or English. A great many resources. Many different
types of media. One example: a 4 minute video of N’s coronation as
emperor employing period art and computer graphics @ http://napoleon.org/
en/fun_stuff/video/index.asp

4. http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/
Napoleon, His Armies and Enemies. This is the ultimate website for
finding quotations, pictures, battle maps, descriptions and accounts, links to
more information &c. If you even want more, check it out.
Session i-Ambition
Napoleon : vol 1. 3 hrs 1 min 2002 (N)
An A & E drama focusing more on the personal life than does our class presentation.
Impressive casting. The Bonaparte (Christian Clavier) is convincing, a native French
speaker, Josephine (drop dead gorgeous Isabelle Rosselini), Talleyrand (John Malkovich)
and Fouché (Gerard Depardieu). Episode 1 begins on St Helena, then picks up with 13
Vendimiaire and goes through the attempt on Napoleon’s life of December 1800. You’ll
recognize the costumes from the historical paintings you’ve seen in class
Dwyer, Philip. Napoleon; The Path to Power. Yale Univ Press, 2008 This
651 page volume covers the same years as our first session. The Australian professor
author spends more time on Napoleon’s childhood and education than do most
biographers. The notes and bibliography are impressive measures of the author’s
scholarship. He is presently preparing a follow-on volume concluding Napoleon’s life.
An added bonus to reading this work is the author’s review of the French Revolution at
appropriate places to clarify events in Bonaparte’s biography. He doesn’t hesitate to
expose the young would-be despot’s feet of clay.
Session ii-Empire
Napoleon : vol 1. 3 hrs 1 min 2002 (N)
An A & E drama focusing more on the personal life than does our class presentation. The
second Episode begins with the search for the assassins, then skips forward to the duc
d’Enghien affair (1804). Next, Napoleon’s family “issues.” Then the imperial coronation,
great “back and forth” with the pope, Pius VII. Lavish re-staging. Carries the story to
Eylau, 1807.
Potter, E. B. and Chester W. Nimitz, Sea Power; A Naval History.
Prentice Hall, 1960.
This was my textbook at Annapolis. It began my interest in history! It has seventy-nine
pages on the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In a text for training U.S. naval
officers. It is an excellent overview of the maritime dimension of the Napoleonic Wars.
Available at abebooks.com
The Battle of Trafalgar. 55 min 1999 (N)

5. A fine job explaining the tactics of the age of fighting sail, weapons, living conditions
and the differences between the British and French navies which met in this decisive
battle. Like others in the Kultur series on Napoleonic warfare, this film contains
commentary by Dr. Chandler, film clips, animations and re-enactors who deliver lines
from the writings of actual participants. A fine account of this important event.
Session iii-Third Coalition
1805: The Battle of Austerlitz 55 min 1999 (N)
A marvelous account of this supreme display of Napoleon’s abilities. The film footages
are from Sergei Bondarchuk’s 1965-67, War and Peace, and British films on naval
warfare. Bondarchuk made an epic reenactment of these events. He was given 120,000
actors, mostly from the Red Army, a Guinness Book of Records, made possible by a
totalitarian state. The graphics show how Napoleon used his eye for terrain in choosing
the place for his victory against superior numbers. The reenactors who speak lines from
the actual memoirs of participants portray Captain Coignet of the French Imperial Guard
and Austrian Major General Stutterheim. Expert analysis is provided by Professor David
G. Chandler, long the leading authority on Napoleonic warfare. Chandler (1934 –
2004) was a British historian whose study focused on the Napoleonic era. His
book is recommended above.
As a young man he served briefly in the army, reaching the rank of captain, and in
later life he taught at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Oxford University
awarded him the D. Litt. in 1991. He has held three Visiting Professorships at
Ohio State in 1970, at the Virginia Military Institute in 1988, and Marine Corps
University in 1991.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6fpu7_1806-engl_videogames
This rather cryptic URL will take you to an impressive student Master’s degree film, 40
minutes long, of the double battle of Jena Auerstädt. I highly recommend it for both
the excellent account of the campaign against Prussia in 1806 and the illustration of
Napoleonic tactics. He explains many important concepts more clearly tha is possible
with written descriptions and static diagrams.
Napoleon : vol 1. 3 hrs 1 min 2002 (N)
The second Episode includes a decent re-enactment of Austerlitz. Napoleon begins his
interest in restoring Poland and bedding Polish patriot Countess Walewska. Carries the
story to Eylau, 1807.

6. Session iv-Apogee
Asprey, Robert. The Reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. Basic Books, 2001
A more popular work by a retired U S Marine veteran of two wars who has published
accounts of other military eras as well. He takes the story from the peak of Napoleon’s
power following the victory at Austerlitz. He also has authored a “prequel” The Rise of
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Napoleon : vol 2. 3 hrs 1 min 2002 (N)
This 3rd episode begins with the aftermath of the battle of Eylau and takes events up to
the fire in Moscow, 1807-1812. It develops his affair with Polish Countess Marie
Walewska. A nice recreation of the meeting with Alexander at Tilsit. Back in Paris,
family troubles. Spain, 1808, spot on portrayal of the useless Spanish monarchs, the grim
guerilla warfare. The battle of Essling, also grim. Joséphine put aside for Marie Louise of
Austria, the birth of l’Aiglon (Napoleon II), a very cursory invasion of Russia. Beautiful
interiors and good military re-enactments.
Session v-Spain
http://www.peninsularwar.org/penwar_e.htm
This excellent website by Andrew C. Jackson not only gives excellent historical details
but also contains photos of remaining structures and terrain plus directions for the would-
be battlefield and museum tourist. Most informative about the Spanish Ulcer which
began Bonaparte’s downfall.
Napoleon : vol 2. 3 hrs 1 min 2002 (N)
This 3rd episode contains a segment Spain, 1808, spot on portrayal of the useless Spanish
monarchs, the grim guerilla warfare.
Napoleon: The Myth, The Battles, The Legend: Disk 2 2 hrs 25
min (2001) (N) This disk includes an episode “The Spanish Ulcer” “Russia,” and
“Waterloo” Summary narratives plus useful commentary from different viewpoints.
Cornwell, Bernard. Sharpe’s Eagle. &c
A great series of historical fiction novels set in the Napoleonic era. Dickie Sharpe, a
“James Bond” type hero from the lowest class, rises to the top of the British Army by
sheer courage and ability. He is accompanied by a faithful side-kick, Sergeant Patrick
Harper, an Irish Catholic. The novels provide remarkable historical information in the
“sugar coated’ form of page-turning adventure stories. His description of battles, here
Talavera, is positively Homeric. Each book ends with a Historical Note which points out
fact from fiction. Also BBC has made a nice series, staring Sean Bean as a very

7. believable Sharpe. Cornwell has written fine historical fiction in many other periods. I
eagerly await his latest releases, currently in Anglo-Saxon times ca. 780s.
Session vi-Russia
Napoleon : vol 2. 3 hrs 1 min 2002 (N)
This 3rd episode ends with a very cursory invasion of Russia. The 4th carries the story
forward to its dreadful conclusion.
http://www.allworldwars.com/The%20Batlle%20of%20Borodino
%20September%207%201812.html#VI
Incredible panorama painting of the battle at its height by Franz Roubaud. There is a
detailed commentary on each of nine panels. Your instructor saw this cyclorama at the
Borodino museum on the outskirts of Moscow in 1972. This 19th century technique of
painting “in-the-round,” intended to be viewed from a central point, was the forerunner of
our Cinerama and Imax techniques. Sadly, few remain. Another is the famous Gettysburg
cyclorama, discovered in a barn and lovingly restored.
1812: The Battle of Borodino 55 min 1999 (N)
Another in the series. The film footage is from Sergei Bondarchuk’s 1965-67, War and
Peace, described above. Another military historian, John Tincey, joins Chandler. The
map work is not as good as in others in the series.
Napoleon’s Road to Moscow 55 min 1999 (N)
A grim narration of this climactic campaign. More film footage i from Sergei
Bondarchuk’s War and Peace. The reenactor narrator portrays Sergeant Bourgogne of
the French Imperial Guard. His memoirs are a vivid personalization of the hardship and
suffering of Napoleon’s coalition army.
Session vii-Sixth Coalition
http://www.napoleonichistoricalsociety.com/articles/Marshalates_Betra
yal.htmAn interesting prize-winning article by a recent West Point grad on N’s
campaign of 1814. This is typical of the sort of material available at this site.
Napoleon : vol 2. 3 hrs 1 min 2002 (N)
The 4th episode describes the defeat of Napoleon, his abdication in 1814 and his time on
Elba. He hears of Joséphine’s death and plans his return.

8. Session viii-Le Cent Jours
1815: The Battle of Waterloo 55 min 1992 (N)
Another in the series with reenactors, film excerpts and David Chandler commentaries.
Nice battle diagrams and period paintings.
Napoleon : vol 2. 3 hrs 1 min 2002 (N)
The 4th episode concludes this biopic with the famous confrontation with Ney, a
disappointing filming of Waterloo (out of budget?), his futile effort to find freedom, and
a somber time on St. Helena.
Waterloo 115 min 1970 (N)
Terrific Hollywood job starring Rod Steiger as Napoleon and Christopher Plummer as
Wellington, Orson Welles as Louis XVIII. Couldn’t be better casting. Beautiful slow
motion of the futile, overextended charge of the Royal Scots Greys. Spot on shots of
Ney’s charge breaking up on the British infantry squares. I can’t imagine a better film
portrayal of this famous battle.