The Age of Napoleon (American Heritage Library) [Paperback]

J. Christopher Herold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1986 | Series: American Heritage Library

Called an "outstanding work of popular history" by The New York Times, this book is the biography of an enigmatic and legendary personality, as well as the portrait of an entire age. The author explores relevant political, cultural, military, commercial, and social history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. Christopher Herold (1919-1964) was an editor at Columbia University Press and Stanford University Press as well as the author of numerous books, including Mistress to an Age: A Life of Madame de Stael, which won the National Book Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 478 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (February 15, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0828104913
• ISBN-13: 978-0828104913
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,219,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still one of the best general histories, February 10, 2003

By 

Ralph Ashby (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Age of Napoleon (Paperback)

This is a dated but still effective general survey of the period and the man. Contrary to what is claimed in some of the reviews, it is not particularly anti-Napoleon, especially compared to some more recent works, such as the big biography by Schom, which virtually boils over with hatred for Napoleon. Herold wants to admire Napoleon, but can't quite forgive him for his faults. The result is pretty balanced. Also,unless you've got a 4th grade reading level, this isn't that hard to read -- my students prefer it to the well-known Markham biography. Highly recommended as an introduction to the Napoleonic Age. The illustrated Horizon version might be even better as an intro because of the visuals. Herold also compiled The Mind of Napoleon -- a collection of Nap's words and writings for those who really want to get a feel for what made the Emperor tick.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent....., December 6, 2004

By 

Juan C Villamil (Bogota, Colombia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Age of Napoleon (Paperback)

Herold approaches Napoleon in a very different manner, if compared to other authors. While it is true he does not concentrate on military strategy or on the battles per se, he gives us a very clear view of what was going on around in Napoleonic times.

This history book concentrates more on ideas than on anything else. You're given a picture of what was happening all around the world, at least from an ideological perspective.

I also find it quite usefull that he dedicates separate chapters to the different empires (Prussia, Russia, Spain, Britain....), so the book is not simply a chronological set of events. He is not afraid to go back in time to let us understand a particular subject, and then in the next chapter go back in time again, but concentrating on a different matter.

The book can't be considered too easy to read, but then again, it's not a novel, it's a pretty complete history of Napoleonic Europe. As a matter of fact it's probably the best one I have gotten my hands on.

The book is very well documented, and it goes into a bit of detail when explaining the sources so you come out with a basic knowledge not only of who wrote what about Napoleon, but much more importantly WHY.

The last part is a summary of what happened after Napoleon, in the times of Napoleon II and Napoleon III, which I also found useful. It helps you situate Napoleon within the history of France.

Overall, it's an excellent book and I would recommend it for people who want a good insight into the age of Napoleon.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars General account of Napolean's exploits, November 10, 1999

By 

Susan Hudson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Age of Napoleon (American Heritage Library) (Paperback)

Covers Napolean's campaigns and attempts to describe something of the world in which Napolean, his enemies and his allies operated. Each campaign is covered by a separate chapter with references to other events that were taking place simultaneously.

Some overgeneralization of national character of various European peoples.

Still...an enlightening treatise of how Napolean shaped the modern identity of Europe and ushered in other changes in the nineteenth century, particularly for Germany, Italy and Spain.