Napoleon's Women

by Christopher Hibbert

Book Overview

Hailed by Amanda Foreman, author of Georgiana, as one of England's greatest living historical writers, Christopher Hibbert introduces us to the many intriguing women behind the legendary soldier--from his strong-willed mother and three sisters to his varied wives and mistresses. This lively historical account reveals Napoleon's often neglected private life and passionate relationships, in which he wildly worshiped certain women as often as he disdained...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393324990
• ISBN13: 9780393324990
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 381 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

To Help "Round Out" Napoleon

Over the past few years I have become very interested in Napoleon. As such I have read several books regarding him and his life, especially the military and political aspects of his life. This book however is slightly different and for this particular reviewer, it was a refreshing aspect. Although Napoleon's political and to some very small extent, his military life is addressed within these pages, the primary focus here is on Napoleon's personal life and specifically his romantic interludes and interests. There are also some information as to his relationships with other men that found themsleves associated with him. But primarily it deals with a side of Napoleon not often read about in such depth and with such attention to his wives, lovers, mother and sisters. I found after finishing the book that I felt I had a much more rounded and fuller picture of Napoleon, the man, aside from his acknowledged militry genius and political standing. I found this book hard to put down and was constanly picking it up to continue reading and the many natural breaks in the chapters allowed for being able to read the book in short time periods during the day or in longer sittings, as at night or when time permitted for longer sittings. I would heartily reccommend this book to anyone looking or interested in learning more about the personal Napoleon or even about those women who found themselves around him during his life. If you are looking for a complete biography on him complete with all the politcal intrigue and military accomplishments, then you will be disappointed (even though these topics are touched on but not in very much depth). However, if you are looking for an enjoyable and delightful read on some of the scenarios into his personal life and to develop a more rounded picture of Napoleon, then this is the book for you.

A Compelling, Enjoyable Read

This is a very well researched book by respected historian author Christopher Hibbert. A juicy read for anyone who is interested in the intimate lives and loves of Napoleon. After reading this book, the reader will see the obsessive, selfish, domineering control freak we know of his military and political life was also part of his personal and love life too. Seems Napoleon wasn't as amorous when the woman of his desires weren't in fear of him and giving into complete submission; yet we also see a romantic, emotional man who so wanted to be loved and respected. I believe the crudeness of his behavior (at times), towards not only women, but men too, was part of his own fearful inadequacies, the so called Napoleon complex, but what a fascinating, perplexing personality he seems to have been. Regardless of Napoleon's crudeness, rude behavior and at times violent callousness, Author C. Hibbert also illustrates Napoleon's surprising acts of compassion, love and devotion to the people who knew and loved him. This objective piece of work allows the reader to come away with his own personal opinions of the private Napoleon and the people in his life. From Napoleon's sometimes cruel, obsessive but always enduring love of Josephine - his respectful, and some say fearful love of his second wife Marie-Louise, to his lusty, conquering affections for Polish mistress, Marie Walewska. The reader also gets a glimpse of his relationship with his mother and his sisters in much more provocative light. Hibbert includes a long list of minor mistresses and female acquaintances, in full delicious details too. This is serious study of the private man, Napoleon. We get a peek at the perks, quirks, oddities and passions of a fascinating man. `Napoleon: His Wives and Women' is an intelligent read and an important one too for the hardcore Napoleon reader.

A worthy edition to the Napoleon book collection

An interesting and well-written book. Due to its focus, it skims over some of the areas regularly covered in books about Napoleon - there is not much detail on his military exploits. But there is a lot of material on 'Napoleon the man' - there is a lot about his background growing up in Corsica; the continuing influence of his family and the favours bestowed upon them; and all the women, especially the one woman who seemed to have genuinely moved him - Josephine. There was also a lot about Napoleon's tastes, likes, annoying habits and physical attributes. This book would probably be most worthwhile for someone looking for a different aspect in the enormous collection of writings about Napoleon available today.

Napoleon and all of his dirty little secrets

In Napoleon: His Wives and Women, Christopher Hibbert proves once again that he is a first-rate biographer and historian. The book starts early in his love life; from his first, tender love, and follows him to those final, tragic days on St. Helena. Along the way, the reader is allowed a wonderfully, voyeristic peek into Nappy's varied, tumultuous, and sexy love life. The writing is superb, but what makes this book truly fun to read is the details, the remarkable details, like Napoleon didn't like green beans and freaked out when he found a green bean string still attached. The best story is the one when, as cadet, he was told he would be punished for a naughty act by being forced to eat his food on the floor. He replied, "I will not do it. In my house we kneel only before God. Only before God. Only before God!" That wacky Corsican!Mr. Hibbert gives the reader a balance of the negative and the positive attributes that made up the complex, enigmatic Napoleon. My only negative was that he seemed to whiz through the telling of Waterloo.

Caution! Coarse Corsican....

Mr. Hibbert quotes Napoleon as saying, "To the manner in which (my mother) formed me at an early age, I principally owe my subsequent elevation. My opinion is that the conduct of a child entirely depends upon the mother." If this theory is correct, Letizia Bonaparte has a lot to answer for! For this is a man who, in the political sphere, said that the usual rules of morality didn't apply to him and who also said that the deaths of a million men didn't much bother him! And, as Christopher Hibbert shows in this very good book, in Napoleon's relationships with women he was crude, insulting and domineering. In short, (please pardon the pun) the Napster was what we would today call a male chauvinist pig. Napoleon behaved this way pretty much across the board: towards his wives, mistresses, sisters and just about every woman he came across- with the exception of his mother. Napoleon told women that they were ugly and dirty (guests at a party); he commented on their "private parts" (Josephine); told them what to wear (everybody); who to marry (his sisters); said they were only good for making babies (guest at a party); and was condescending when an intellectual woman attempted to discuss politics (Madame de Stael). To top things off, he had a nicely developed sadistic streak- he would flaunt his mistresses in front of Josephine, commenting about their physical attributes and sexual prowess. Napoleon claimed that he loved Josephine- in fact, he said that of his 2 wives and many mistresses she was the only woman he ever did love. Based on his comments and behavior, and considering his bad case of egomania, one wonders whether he was truly capable of loving anyone. But, having said this, it is important to note that Mr. Hibbert is never simplistic in his depiction. We also get to see Napoleon being playful and affectionate with both of his wives, and feeling extreme guilt concerning his decision to divorce Josephine- a decision he made solely on the basis that he felt he needed a legitimate heir, and over a long period of time he and Josephine had failed to produce any offspring. He was also very hurt when his 2nd wife, Marie-Louise, failed to join him in exile. Despite his nagging narcissism he was clearly a complicated man. Mr. Hibbert does a good job of organizing and presenting his material, although he doesn't do much in the way of analysis or in presenting his own opinions. Still, the behavior itself is revealing and you can come to your own conclusions. Although the book is relatively short, just over 300 pages, we feel we have a good understanding of the major figures amongst the women who are portrayed- Napoleon's mother; his 2 wives; and his 3 sisters (Pauline, Caroline & Elisa). Mr. Hibbert also does a nice job of linking together the personal material with the major events of Napoleon's career- his rapid rise to power; becoming emperor; the shifting alliances; the invasion of Russia and the retreat; Waterloo; and the 2 exiles. The descriptio