---
product_id: 24591616
title: "Napoleon: A Concise Biography"
price: "S$43"
currency: SGD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 12
url: https://www.desertcart.sg/products/24591616-napoleon-a-concise-biography
store_origin: SG
region: Singapore
---

# Napoleon: A Concise Biography

**Price:** S$43
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- **What is this?** Napoleon: A Concise Biography
- **How much does it cost?** S$43 with free shipping
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## Description

desertcart.com: Napoleon: A Concise Biography: 9780190262716: Bell, David A.: Books

Review: So well written, concise but not dumbed down - This was just what I was looking for. I didn't want all the detail in a 600 page book (tried a good one but only made it through a third of the book), but I also didn't want one that was over-simplified. This was just right. It reviews the important parts of his character and events of his life, and explains the historical context that allowed him to do what he did, including through his final downfall after Waterloo. I'm not a historian, but I love reading good history books. I put this right up there with the best ones I've read. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn about Napoleon's life and times, and his place in history - without the time or inclination to read a 600 page book.
Review: Concise and yet comprehensive - on everything but battle - As promised in the title, this is truly a concise biography of Napoleon. It is beautifully written and eminently readable. I could hardly put it down. And not concise in simple terms like a children's book - it is truly comprehensive in in explaining his life and the evolving political situation of Europe at the time. The French Revolution in particular is elegantly explained. At one point the author compares the stages of Napoleon's life to various Greek myths; heroic and victorious Hercules in his early years, Icarus flying too close to the sun at his zenith, and Prometheus chained to an island rock at the end. It was these early sections that made me fall in love with the book. However, Napoleon's military genius and battle tactics are almost entirely glazed over. Obviously the goal is a concise volume, but most of us are drawn to Napoleon in the first place to understand how it was that he managed to win more battles - usually outnumbered - than any commander in history. The Trachenberg plan is not even mentioned. Not only was it instrumental to his downfall, but it clarifies how the allies viewed him as nearly invincible - even after Russia. I think this omission (and the conclusions toward the end) suggest much about the author: he is too much of a modernist to write an inspiring account of The God of War. He favors the "trends and forces" view of history and spills much ink on how Napoleon was allegedly pulled along by events outside his control. While the trends of the time certainly provided opportunities, Napoleon stunned the world for twenty years with the manner in which he continually capitalized on those opportunities. This author is a brilliant writer, and this book is a quick, enjoyable read. That is no easy task on such a complex topic. I struggled with how to rate this book. Ultimately, I recommend it as the best one I have yet found describing Napoleon's life in a reasonable number of pages - but please don't make it the only one you read.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #93,171 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #4 in European History (Books) #33 in Historical France Biographies #68 in French History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (699) |
| Dimensions  | 5.7 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches |
| Edition  | 1st |
| ISBN-10  | 0190262710 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0190262716 |
| Item Weight  | 2.31 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 152 pages |
| Publication date  | December 3, 2015 |
| Publisher  | Oxford University Press |

## Images

![Napoleon: A Concise Biography - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/716zP27xZvL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ So well written, concise but not dumbed down
*by B***Y on January 23, 2024*

This was just what I was looking for. I didn't want all the detail in a 600 page book (tried a good one but only made it through a third of the book), but I also didn't want one that was over-simplified. This was just right. It reviews the important parts of his character and events of his life, and explains the historical context that allowed him to do what he did, including through his final downfall after Waterloo. I'm not a historian, but I love reading good history books. I put this right up there with the best ones I've read. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn about Napoleon's life and times, and his place in history - without the time or inclination to read a 600 page book.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Concise and yet comprehensive - on everything but battle
*by B***I on December 15, 2023*

As promised in the title, this is truly a concise biography of Napoleon. It is beautifully written and eminently readable. I could hardly put it down. And not concise in simple terms like a children's book - it is truly comprehensive in in explaining his life and the evolving political situation of Europe at the time. The French Revolution in particular is elegantly explained. At one point the author compares the stages of Napoleon's life to various Greek myths; heroic and victorious Hercules in his early years, Icarus flying too close to the sun at his zenith, and Prometheus chained to an island rock at the end. It was these early sections that made me fall in love with the book. However, Napoleon's military genius and battle tactics are almost entirely glazed over. Obviously the goal is a concise volume, but most of us are drawn to Napoleon in the first place to understand how it was that he managed to win more battles - usually outnumbered - than any commander in history. The Trachenberg plan is not even mentioned. Not only was it instrumental to his downfall, but it clarifies how the allies viewed him as nearly invincible - even after Russia. I think this omission (and the conclusions toward the end) suggest much about the author: he is too much of a modernist to write an inspiring account of The God of War. He favors the "trends and forces" view of history and spills much ink on how Napoleon was allegedly pulled along by events outside his control. While the trends of the time certainly provided opportunities, Napoleon stunned the world for twenty years with the manner in which he continually capitalized on those opportunities. This author is a brilliant writer, and this book is a quick, enjoyable read. That is no easy task on such a complex topic. I struggled with how to rate this book. Ultimately, I recommend it as the best one I have yet found describing Napoleon's life in a reasonable number of pages - but please don't make it the only one you read.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clear, concise and fascinating history of Napoleon
*by S***R on June 2, 2025*

Superb CD on the life of Napoleon. His military genius is explained through a concise chronicle of the battles and rise to power. His flair for showmanship and propaganda did much to create his success. A lesson for today. Highly recommended!

## Frequently Bought Together

- Napoleon: A Concise Biography
- PENGUIN Napoleon the Great

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*Product available on Desertcart Singapore*
*Store origin: SG*
*Last updated: 2026-02-21*