Generals and Napoleon

⚔️👑 Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most influential—and controversial—figures in world history. From obscure Corsican artillery officer to Emperor of the French , Napoleon reshaped Europe through war, law, and ambition on a scale never seen before. In this episode, special guest & author Andrew Roberts will trace Napoleon’s extraordinary rise during the French Revolution , his early victor...

🩺⚔️ Dr. Dominique Jean Larrey was Napoleon’s greatest surgeon and the father of modern battlefield medicine . Serving as Surgeon-in-Chief of the Grande Armée , Larrey revolutionized how wounded soldiers were treated, saving countless lives across the brutal campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars . In this episode, special guest Mick Crumplin will explore Larrey’s groundbreaking innovations, including t...

Joseph Bonaparte , 👑⚔️Napoleon’s eldest brother, became a king twice—but was never meant to be one. Appointed King of Naples and later King of Spain , Joseph’s reigns showcase the limits of Napoleonic power and the challenges of ruling conquered nations during the age of empire. In this episode, special guest Graeme Callister will trace Joseph Bonaparte’s early life as a lawyer and diplomat , his...

Ridley Scott’s Napoleon promised epic battles, historical depth, and the definitive portrayal of one of history’s greatest figures—but delivered a film that left many viewers frustrated, confused, and disappointed. In this movie review of Napoleon , special guest Marcus Cribb will discuss what went wrong: shallow characterization, questionable historical choices, uneven pacing, and a portrayal of...

The final years of Napoleon’s Marshals tell a story very different from the glory days of Austerlitz and Jena. After the fall of the Empire, the men who once commanded Europe’s greatest armies faced exile, execution, obscurity, and uneasy reconciliation with the restored monarchies. In this episode, special guest Rachael Start explores what happened to Napoleon’s Marshals after 1814 and Waterloo ,...

Toussaint Louverture was one of the most remarkable leaders of the Age of Revolution—a former enslaved man who rose to become the architect of the Haitian Revolution and the most successful slave revolt in history. His life reshaped the Atlantic world and directly challenged the ambitions of Napoleon Bonaparte . In this episode, special guest Everett Rummage explore Toussaint Louverture’s rise fro...

Jean-Louis-Ébénézer Reynier was one of Napoleon’s most capable yet least remembered generals—a seasoned battlefield commander who fought across Egypt, Italy, Germany, and Spain , often in the most difficult theaters of the Napoleonic Wars. In this episode, special guest Charles Mackay will explore Reynier’s long military career, beginning with his service in the French Revolutionary Wars and his r...

Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord was the ultimate political survivor of the Napoleonic Era—a diplomat who served kings, revolutionaries, emperors, and restorations , often betraying each one to stay alive and in power. In this episode, special guest Michael Broers will trace Talleyrand’s extraordinary career from bishop of the Ancien Régime , to revolutionary power broker, to Napoleon’s fore...

Archduke Charles of Austria was Napoleon’s most formidable battlefield opponent—the commander who delivered Napoleon’s first major defeat and came closer than anyone to ending the Napoleonic Wars early. In this episode, special guest David Hollins explores Archduke Charles’s rise as the reformer of the Austrian Army and the brilliant strategist behind victories at Aspern–Essling and Stockach . We...

The Battle of Bussaco (27 September 1810) was one of the Duke of Wellington’s most masterful defensive victories—where a smaller Anglo-Portuguese army shattered Napoleon’s veterans by turning terrain into a weapon . In this episode, Marcus Cribb breaks down how Wellington positioned his forces along the Bussaco Ridge in Portugal, luring Marshal Masséna into a costly frontal assault. We examine the...

General Géraud Christophe Michel Duroc was more than a trusted general—he was Napoleon’s close aide, confidant, and Master of Horse , embodying loyalty, competence, and courage in the heart of the French Empire. In this episode, special guest Irene Kim will explore Duroc’s rise from modest beginnings to becoming Grand Marshal of the Palace , his role in coordinating Napoleon’s campaigns, and his p...

King George III was the king who presided over Britain during its greatest global conflicts—from the American Revolution to the Napoleonic Wars . Often remembered for his bouts of illness, George III was a determined and politically active monarch whose reign shaped British resilience against Napoleon’s ambitions. In this episode, special guest Mark Ellis explores George III’s life, from his early...

General Clauzel's finest moment came during a disastrous defeat. At the 1812 Battle of Salamanca, the Duke of Wellington severed the French army of Marshal Marmont. At the beginning of the battle, Marmont and his second-in-command were wounded and there was no command chain. At this chaotic moment, General Clauzel stepped up to prevent the total annihilation of the French army. Special guest C...

The Battle of Vimeiro (21 August 1808) marked the beginning of British success in the Peninsular War , as Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington , defeated the French forces under General Junot . This decisive engagement showcased Wellington’s tactical skill and set the stage for Britain’s long campaign in Spain and Portugal. In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb will break down the...

The Battle of Roliça (17 August 1808) was the first major battle fought by Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington , in the Peninsular War. Facing seasoned French troops under General Delaborde , Wellington’s Anglo-Portuguese forces achieved a crucial early victory that set the tone for the British campaign in Iberia. In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb explores how Wellington used...

General Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher , was one of Napoleon's most relentless and determined opponents. Famous for his fiery leadership and refusal to give up, Blücher played a decisive role in the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo and the ultimate collapse of the French Empire. In this episode, special guest Philip Wagenknecht traces Blücher’s military career—from his early service in the Prussi...

Think about starting your military career at the age of 43. Think about losing your first 4 military campaigns to Napoleon and his armies. Then think about leading one of the major Allied victories over Napoleon's troops in the Peninsula War. Then think about working your way up to become second-in-command to the Duke of Wellington. The best word to describe General Thomas Graham is “persevera...

The Battle of Salamanca (22 July 1812) was one of the most decisive victories of the Peninsular War , where the Duke of Wellington’s Anglo-Portuguese army delivered a stunning defeat to Marshal Marmont’s French forces in Spain. In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb breaks down Wellington’s brilliant use of terrain, timing, and maneuver , including the famous counterattack that turned French...

Queen Hortense de Beauharnais was a key figure in Napoleon’s family and political network. Daughter of Empress Josephine , stepdaughter to Napoleon, and later Queen of Holland , Hortense’s life was a mix of royal duty, personal ambition, and turbulent romance. She was also the mother of Napoleon III , shaping the future of France long after her own reign ended. In this episode, special guest Beatr...

General Lazare Hoche Foy was one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s most capable and underrated generals. Known for his courage, tactical skill, and disciplined leadership, Foy played a critical role in campaigns across France, Spain, and the Napoleonic battlefields of Europe . In this episode, we explore Foy’s rise through the ranks of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic armies , his command in the Peni...

Armand de Caulaincourt was one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s closest aides and diplomats, known for his loyalty, intelligence, and honesty. Serving as Master of the Horse , ambassador to Russia, and a key advisor during critical campaigns, Caulaincourt witnessed the triumphs and tragedies of the French Empire firsthand. In this episode, special guest Irene Kim will explore Caulaincourt’s career, from hi...

The Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815) was the climactic showdown that ended Napoleon’s rule and reshaped Europe forever. Facing the combined forces of the Duke of Wellington and Prussian Field Marshal Blücher , Napoleon’s army suffered a decisive defeat that marked the fall of the French Empire. In this episode, Marcus Cribb will break down the strategies, key movements, and pivotal moments of the...

Sir John Kincaid was an officer in the British army who served with distinction during the Peninsular War . Best known for his memoirs, Kincaid provides one of the most vivid and detailed firsthand accounts of life on campaign, the battles of Wellington’s army , and the daily realities of Napoleonic warfare. In this episode, special guest Luke Reynolds will explore Kincaid’s military career, from...

Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais was more than Napoleon’s first wife—she was a key figure in the social and political life of Napoleonic France. Known for her charm, elegance, and intelligence, Joséphine influenced the Emperor, the court, and even French fashion, leaving a lasting legacy on history. In this episode, special guest Rachael Stark explores Joséphine’s early life, her first marriage, a...

Sir John Moore was one of Britain’s most important—and often overlooked—generals of the Napoleonic Wars. A reformer, battlefield commander, Moore helped shape the modern British Army long before his famous last stand in Spain. In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb explores Moore’s military career, from his early service in the French Revolutionary Wars to his role in transforming British inf...