Napoleon: The Story of the Little Corporal
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