The Napoleonic Quarterly

Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic frustrations of...

Could some of the decisions made by those making Sir Ridley Scott's 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse and perhaps explain the approach taken by the film's creators. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hour...

Could some of the decisions made by those behind Sir Ridley Scott's spectacle-filled 'Napoleon' (2023) be better understood by the generally disappointed Napoleonic community? Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham, who knows a thing or two about screenwriting, to analyse the film in 15-minute chunks. Yes, that's right, it's the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly - taking the epic...

1800. July... August... September. Three months in which the British seek to feel less insecure in southern India... in the Baltic the Russians look to muster Danish and Swedish forces against the Royal Navy... and as the United States patches things up with France, domestic tempers fray amidst the election of 1800. This is episode 35 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three worrisome months f...

David Hollins concludes his three-part deep dive into the military action of Q2-1800 with a full hour devoted to the Battle of Marengo, a big victory for Napoleon Bonaparte over the Austrians. There is more to this battle than meets the eye, however, and here David talks us through the detail. These more in-depth explorations are the first of their kind for this podcast; please let us know your vi...

In the middle episode of this three-parter covering the fighting of Q2-1800 in more detail David Hollins talks through the siege of Genoa, Napoleon Bonaparte's famous crossing of the Alps and the critical role of the spy Carlo Gioelli - all in the build-up to the battle of Marengo.

Here's a deep dive into the fighting of 1800 in southern Germany which culminated in the battle of Höchstadt on 19 June. Thanks to David Hollins for talking us through the campaign and the battle which proved such a big breakthrough for France against the Austrians in such detail. This is the first part of a multi-part episode, with more to come on the fighting south of the Alps and the battle...

Liam Gauci, curator at the Malta Maritime Museum, interviews Sakis Gekas, Associate Professor in the Department of History at York University. Dr Gekas is Hellenic Heritage Foundation Chair of Modern Greek History. Following their conversation about the establishment of the Septinsular Republic on April 2nd 1800, Liam and Sakis explore the subsequent story of the Ionian Islands under French and Br...

1800... April... May... June... Three months in which Generals Desaix and Kellermann help Napoleon to victory against the Austrians at Marengo... French hopes in Egypt receive a big setback with the assassination of their commander, General Kleber... and in the Ionian Islands off mainland Greece, a new republic emerges out of political turmoil. This is episode 34 of the Napoleonic Quarterly, in wh...

Professor Emeritus Elise Wirtschafter of CalPolyPomona is joined by Alexander Mikaberidze and Charles Esdaile to discuss the unique nature of Russian imperialism; and the challenges and responsibilities of being historians in times of war.

1800. January... February... March... Three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte familiarises himself with the levers of power... French general Jean-Victor Moreau's battle plans clash with those of his new boss... and the election to choose a new Pope becomes delayed by division. This is episode 33 of the Napoleonic Quarterly, covering three months in which the world gets used to its new centur...

Bernie Campbell is joined by Charles, Alexes x2, Josh and a host of contributors and Patrons to assess the rather disappointing Hollywood blockbuster 'Napoleon'. Discussion points included: -how Spain played absolutely no part in the Napoleonic Wars whatsoever -the hitherto unappreciated importance of trenches at Waterloo -why Josephine shouting 'you are fat! ' is one of the most i...

This third edition of 'Napoleonic Qs', our listener Q&A format, was recorded on 19 November 2023. Thanks to all those who have commented or left questions! Introductory section: Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze offer their thoughts on director Ridley Scott's attacks on historians. [13:30] - On abusive language targeting Prof Esdaile [23:47] - Mystery guest @liamgauci13 pop...

In this episode, Bernie Campbell follows up his interview with Charles by talking with Alexander Mikaberidze about the books he has found inspiring during his work on the Napoleonic era. It's a really interesting list, since Alex's background has brought him into contact with some interesting works that may not be familiar to the English speaking world! Links for many of these books are be...

William Doyle is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Bristol. As the author of the Oxford History of the French Revolution he is also the rescuer of many an undergraduate essay crisis. William's new book Napoleon At Peace, however, sees him examine Bonaparte's performance in the top job in those first years of the 19th century. Its subtitle, 'How To End A Revolution'...

While we wait for Season 5 to begin, we at Quartermaster Productions have a series of Bonus Episodes we plan to share with all of you. In our first episode, Bernie Campbell interviews esteemed panellist Charles Esdaile about the books he has enjoyed and the books he would recommend for listeners interested in a deeper dive into the Napoleonic Era. It was a far ranging and fun conversation. Bernie...

1799. October... November... December... Three months in which Napoleon Bonaparte forces France away from democratic politics in the coup of Brumaire... a frustrated and disappointed Tsar Paul gives up on the Second Coalition... and after another British failure in the Low Countries, British ministers are in denial. This is episode 32 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months in which Fr...

Napoleonic Quarterly regulars Charles Esdaile and Alexander Mikaberidze join Alex Stevenson to respond to listeners' questions and comments. Featuring the following topics: [3:46] - an anti-Charles missive [21:07] - the sexual proclivities of Napoleon Bonaparte [32:39] - French leadership in the Revolution and afterwards: executive by committee vs strongman, with an answer from David Andress [...

1799. July… August… September… Three months in which the Allies’ pivot north to Switzerland fails thanks to a fightback from Massena... the British team up with the Russians in a bid to stir up Holland… And in Egypt Napoleon Bonaparte wins another victory for the French against the Ottomans - before sneaking off in the night on a fast ship back to France. This is episode 31 of the Napoleonic Quart...

This bonus episode is really more of a planning meeting than an actual episode of the Napoleonic Quarterly. It contains all the features of a modern online discussion: unscheduled coughs, rustling, unscheduled sniffles, people talking over each other, variable audio quality and strange buzzing sounds appearing at intermittent intervals. However, listeners may be willing to put up with all this if...

Jonathan North, Napoleonic historian and author of several books including 'Nelson at Naples 1799', sets out why he believes Horatio Nelson's conduct in 1799 constitutes more than a mere stain on his character. This episode contains content which some pro-British listeners may find alarming.

1799. April… May… June… Three months in which the Austrians and the Russians make sweeping Italian gains... Beleaguered French forces find themselves clinging on in Syria against the Ottomans… And in India Tippu Sultan meets a grisly end at the hands of the British. This is episode 30 of the Napoleonic Quarterly - covering three months of bloodshed and tensions as the empires fight back. [08:25] -...

Many people looking to find out more about the soldiers who fought for the Austrian Empire in the 1792-1815 period will have turned to David Hollins' excellent Osprey books , the result of his fascination with a Vienna-minded perspective often overlooked by those in the English-speaking world. Here David has been talking through his approach; offering more insights into how the Austrians diffe...

Charles Mackay, known to Napoleonic Twitter by his brilliant soubriquet @BubblesVampire, had his PhD on Napoleonic nearly-man Andoche Junot supervised by the late great Donald D. Horward. We'll be hearing from Charles on the latest goings-on in Egypt in episodes 30 and 31, but hear he is talking us through the life of a complicated, wounded, not-always-likeable personality. Given Junot's m...

- The Napoleonic Quarterly's Patreon has the potential to be a real game-changer, helping us take the podcast to the next level of Napoleonic tremendousness. - By using the $$$ to pay for the services of an audio editor it becomes possible to produce more content complementing the main episodes. - There's scope for higher-tier Patrons to actually present some of these bonus episodes, so co...