The Fall of Napoleon: The Final Betrayal [Import] [Paperback]

David Hamilton-Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0471160776 | ISBN-13: 978-0471160779 | Edition: 1

Praise for The Fall of Napoleon

"A well-researched and original history. . . . Hamilton-Williams tells a stirring story, revealing much new material." —Kirkus Reviews

"[Hamilton-Williams] is a fine writer and a ferocious logician. He has written a fascinating, if controversial, book." —Washington Times

"A dedicated Bonapartist, British historian Hamilton-Williams spares no one in exposing the double and triple crosses perpetrated." —Library Journal

In The Fall of Napoleon, David Hamilton-Williams offers a fresh and striking new assessment of the cause and effects of the Emperor's decline. Using substantial new research, the acclaimed author calls into question many of the views established in Napoleonic literature to date. Filled with fascinating details on the diplomatic intrigues linking Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia in the quest for Napoleon's demise, this riveting account reveals surprising new information on previously unknown secret terrorist organizations, assassination attempts, and the unbridled political duplicity that led to the French ruler's fall from power.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this extraordinary revisionist history, a sequel to Waterloo, British historian Hamilton-Williams offers a startling new perspective on Napoleon Bonaparte's rise and fall. Drawing on untapped archival material, he presents evidence that the British government, determined to eliminate Napoleon, established a secret organization, Chevaliers de la Foi (Knights of the Faith), headed by pliable Charles-Philippe, Count of Artois, heir to the Bourbon throne (and later Charles X of France). Aided by his network of fanatical royalists, Charles orchestrated armed insurrection and several abortive attempts to assassinate Napoleon, all with British approval and financing. Hamilton-Williams also unearths details of how Austrian Prince Metternich and British Foreign Secretary Robert Castlereagh, in concert with French Arch-Chancellor Talleyrand, in 1814 clandestinely plotted Napoleon's downfall, using subversion, paid agitators and financial panic to promote the reactionary Bourbon cause in Paris. The aim was to make France a dependent ally. Among those who betrayed Napoleon was his long-time comrade and friend General Charles Tristan, Count of Montholon, who was Charles X's agent and who, by this account, murdered Napoleon by arsenic poisoning on St. Helena in 1821. Illustrated.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This second volume in a trilogy following Waterloo: New Perspectives (LJ 10/1/94) explores the political and diplomatic intrigues carried out by France's enemies-Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia-while at the same time describing the military campaigns of 1813, 1814, and 1815 and the deceit and treachery of those surrounding Napoleon himself. A dedicated Bonapartist, British historian Hamilton-Williams spares no one in exposing the double and triple crosses perpetrated by such leading figures as Castlereagh, Talleyrand, Davout, and Fouche to bring about the restoration of the Bourbon Louis XVIII and the murder of Napoleon. An in-depth account is given of the "White Terror" that swept France in the aftermath of Waterloo, resulting in the execution of many of the emperor's ex-marshals and generals. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.
David Lee Poremba, Detroit P.L.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 14, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471160776
• ISBN-13: 978-0471160779
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,277,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Redemption From The British Isles, May 26, 2002

By 

Barry Louis Isaacs (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fall of Napoleon: The Final Betrayal (Paperback)

I have been studying the Napoleonic era for many years and have built up quite a library as a result. If I were obliged, however, to retain only one of them, it would be this one. The volume is so well-written and researched that one is surprised that history can be so riveting. Hamilton-Williams has indeed made the dry bones live. His other volume, Waterloo-The Great Battle Reappraised, is just as brilliant and profound. No one who reads these books will be disappointed.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Challenging but risky, December 8, 2001

By 

J. C. Attridge "lannes" (leicester, uk) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fall of Napoleon: The Final Betrayal (Paperback)

Edit - DHW is an amateur historian who can be termed professional only by fact of his having written books. A large part of his personal history is invalid and apparently designed only to increase historical credentials that do not exist.

Read the book, it is enjoyable, but be aware that he is heavily biased towards the French and as he is not an academic historian his interpretations can not be guarenteed with any certainty.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, complete, compelling., July 29, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fall of Napoleon: The Final Betrayal (Hardcover)

Hamilton-Williams builds his book around original documents, including memos and orders. His view is as free of bias as one can hope, while building a compelling case against the Grand Alliance and for Napoleon