Napoleon: The Story of the Little Corporal [Hardcover]

Robert Burleigh (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 4 and up

Published in association with the American Federation of Arts

The only children’s picture book about France’s greatest general and eventual emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon achieved countless military victories and unified half a continent; he was a corporal, general, consul, and emperor. The life and career of Napoleon sounds impossible—but it’s true. His success, though brilliant, was also short-lived. Robert Burleigh’s biography of the Little Corporal, illustrated by period artworks and artifacts, describes the remarkable rise and fall of this charismatic and unusual man.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Was Napoléon the heroic protector of the ideals of the French Revolution? Or was the young leader a cold tyrant whose battles killed hundreds of thousands? This large-sized, lavishly illustrated biography captures the complexity of the man and the legend, from his childhood as a poor Corsican scholarship boy who was snubbed at military school to his rise to power as victorious general who then crowned himself emperor. Then there is the Battle of Waterloo and Napoléon's final defeat and exile. The constant exclamatory tone feels condescending, but Burleigh's chatty, interactive style makes the history accessible, even for middle-grade readers. With a quote from Napoléon on every double-page spread, spacious type on thick paper, and beautifully reproduced period paintings and prints, identified in long, detailed captions, the handsome book design will encourage browsers. A select bibliography, sources for quotes, and big maps of Europe in Napoléon's time and today complete this inviting title. Rochman, Hazel

About the Author

Robert Burleigh has written many acclaimed books for children, among them Seurat and La Grande Jatte which won a prestigious Orbis Pictus Award, and Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest, a Texas Blue Bonnet Master List selection. In a starred review of his book Toulouse-Lautrec: The Moulin Rouge and The City of Light, Booklist praised Robert, saying, “Burleigh relates the facts in a way that is comprehensible . . . a lively, accessible introduction to the artist’s life and work.” He has also written Paul Cézanne: A Painter’s Journey, which debuted in mid-2006. A painter as well as a writer, Robert lives with his wife in Chicago.

The American Federation of Arts is a nonprofit institution that organizes art exhibitions for presentation in museums around the world, publishes exhibition catalogues, and develops education programs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; Library Binding edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081091378X
• ISBN-13: 978-0810913783
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Napoleon: Fame and Faults, March 29, 2010

By 

LME "The Discerning Viewer" (Central CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Napoleon: The Story of the Little Corporal (Hardcover)

Terrific book for grades 4-9. The book progresses through Napoleon's life in a series of two page spreads. Each has a memorable quote of Napoleon's and a portrait or two that is pertinent to the subject of the well-written, engaging text. It is surprising how much the quotes add to the "picture" of Napoleon that is presented in this book.

Without getting bogged down in details, the author presents Napoleon the man, statesman, and military genius through many of his biggest successes and failures. This is really written for ages 8-80 and would also make a good read-aloud. Very Well-Done !!