Napoleon at Home, Volume II

Much has been written about the life of Napoleon, whose actions dominated the beginning of the Nineteenth century; his campaigns have been charted in great detail as have his political manoeuvres; however, his life during his few quiet hours remained less well known - until the renowned Frédéric Masson cast his expert eye on them. Ranging from the court audiences reminiscent of the Ancien Régime kings such as Louis XIV to simple days at home with his extended family, the author draws out the detail of the household of the Emperor. The rooms and daily routines are juxtaposed with the celebrated events of the Imperial calendar to great effect, the mundane and the grand living side by side. As time passed and Napoleon gained more wealth and power, so the routines changed and the splendour increased. The author goes into every facet without losing the reader's interest. An astounding and intimate portrait of Napoleon, the man and the Emperor.