Customer Reviews

Napoleon & Josephine: The Sword And The Hummingbird

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This is the story of the relationship between Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine Beauharnais. After Josephine's original husband is killed in the French revolution by the guillotine, she seeks a new husband and finds one in Napoleon. He quickly falls in love with Josephine and creates what seems at times a one sided love. Napoleon must balance being a conquerer and being a husband. Yet Josephine, on the other hand, appeared to have more trouble in the relationship even though it did not seem she had many
distractions.

When I read the description of Napoleon and Josephine, I thought that there would be inappropriate content for children which made me very reluctant to read it. Fortunately, there was nothing of the sort. I found the story very interesting and informative, not only about Napoleon and Josephine, but also about the French Revolution. There were many twists and turns that made the book faster reading than your regular love story.

Reviewed by Flamingnet Book Reviews, www.flamingnet.com.

I was very excited to read this book because I love historical fiction, but I was not at all satisfied. I found Napoleon the most annoying character I've ever had in a book. He is self centered and arrogant. All he does is thimk about himself. Josephine isn't much better. She always lets Napoleon have his way. The only reason I finished this book was just for the sake of it. I would definitely not reccomend this book. It's a waste of time.

I have never had the slightest interest in Napoleon and Josephine, so for the authors to write a story with these people as the subject that I found interesting and enjoyable to read was quite a feat. The Hausmans pulled it off by tracing Josephine's life from childhood on, so that when she meets the ponderous, egomaniacal goof Napoleon, even he seems real and one is able to engage with interest in their topsy turvy relationship. The authors' use of interior monologue, quotations from Napoleon's letters, plus an intimate understanding of the period, makes for a great blend. I would be very surprised if this book doesn't do well for a very long period of time. -David Kherdian

Life is often bitter sweet, and all the more so when history is being made. Here is a another way of viewing French history. One that is from the islands, not the continent. This is a beautifully bound book containing beautifully executed writing.