Napoleon Bonaparte Premium Podcasts

Napoleon crowned himself “Emperor Of The French” (as opposed to “Emperor of France”, an important distinction) on 2 December 1804 at Notre Dame de Paris. In this episode, we discuss in detail the events leading up to the Coronation, the reasons for it, the arguments against it, the actual coronation itself, and the reaction to it in France. We also discuss why Napoleon&#821...

After the signing of The Treaty of Luneville in February 1801, France was at peace with every country in Europe. Only Britian stood in the way of a total peace. Listen in as JDM and I discuss some of the key events of the following period: William Pitt had been replaced briefly by Henry Addington as Prime Minister of Britian The impact of the assassination of Tsar Paul I of Russia in March 1801 Ne...

In this episode we explore First Consul Bonaparte’s failed attempts to make peace with the Kings of England and Austria after he took power in 1799 and the subsequent French campaign into Italy to regain the territory lost to the Austrians since Napoleon’s original Italian campaign. We also cover: The famous Jacques-Louis David painting of Napoleon Crossing The Alps The revisionist (an...

In 1799, when Napoleon became First Consul of France, he started a series of important domestic reforms which were revolutionary in Europe, many of which survive to this day. In this episode, we depart from Napoleon’s military triumphs and demonstrate a less-appreciated aspect of his career – his genius for domestic affairs. We talk about: The Code Napoleon The Legion of Honour The Ban...

When we last left Napoleon he was leaving Egypt in the middle of the night to sail quickly back to a corrupt and floundering Paris. In this episode, we talk about: the corruption of the Directory the various plots to overthrow the Revolutionary Government Napoleon’s failed attempt to legitimately join the Directory to save it Sieyes’ approach to Napoleon to join his plot for a coup Nap...

Is it just me or are these shows gradually getting longer? 🙂 When we last left Napoleon, he had concluded the Italian Campaign with the treaty of Campo Formio and was a national hero. In this episode we talk about the Egyptian Campaign of 1798-99: Too soon for his political move in France The invasion of England postponed In the footsteps of Alexander, off to Egypt! Taking and re-making Malta Rea...

When we last left Napoleon, he had taken the helm of the Army of Italy and was proving his brilliance in matters of strategy and tactics. In this episode we discuss: The Battle of Lodi The Kellerman incident The Bridge over Arcola The Papal States The Battle of Rivoli The Treaty of Campo Formio Napoleon’s role in the future Unification of Italy Josephine’s behaviour while he on campaig...

Napoleon is made Commander-In-Chief of the Army of France in Italy by Paul Barras in March 1796 (one week before he married Josephine). A couple of days later, he leaves to join his new command. In this episode, we talk about: Building a winning army His key team Berthier, Murat The generals he inherited, Massena, Augereau, how he got them onside The army he inheried the condition they were in, th...

  We left Napoleon in late 1795, having broken the back of the Paris insurgency with a “whiff of grapeshot”. For his efforts he was made Commander of the Army of the Interior, the largest armed force in France, with the rank of general de division. He changed his name from Buonaparte to Bonaparte. He is 26 years old. Josephine. It is around this time that Napoleon first meets Mari...

  In Episode #3 of Napoleon 101, we pick up where we left last time – Napoleon has just won the Battle of Toulon and is made a Brigadier General. He is 24. This brings us to 1794 and the events of the month of Thermidor (July in the revolutionary calendar). Napoleon’s relationship with Augustin Robespierre, and his older brother Maximillian, sees him thrown into prison. He is rele...

  In Episode #2 of Napoleon 101, we start the story of Napoleon’s life with his birth in the town of Ajaccio on the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean. We then cover: The political environment of Corsica His father Carlo’s relationship with the Corsican revolutionary Paoli Napoleon’s life at military boarding school from age 9 The French Revolution occurs in 1789 and Nap...

Welcome to the first episode of Napoleon 101! David and I are very excited about creating this show and the rest of the series. For this first episode, we thought we’d start by giving you a bit of a taste-tester. Before we get deep into the nitty-gritty of his life and career, we’ll take you on a quick journey of what makes Napoleon such an interesting topic for us. For example, we cov...