what is the best napoleon biography

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Nonfiction Books » History Books » Historical Figures

The best books on napoleon, recommended by andrew roberts.

Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts

How did Napoleon Bonaparte, an upstart Corsican, go on to conquer half of Europe in the 16 years of his rule? Was he a military genius? And was he really that short? Historian Andrew Roberts , author of a bestselling biography of Napoleon , introduces us to the books that shaped how he sees l'Empereur —including little-known sources from those who knew Napoleon personally. Read more history book recommendations on Five Books

Interview by Charles J. Styles

The Campaigns of Napoleon by David G Chandler

Talleyrand by Duff Cooper

With Eagles to Glory: Napoleon and His German Allies in the 1809 Campaign by John H Gill

Private Memoirs Of The Court Of Napoleon by Louis François Joseph Bausset-Roquefort

With Napoleon in Russia: Memoirs of General de Caulaincourt, Duke of Vicenza by Armand de Caulaincourt

1 The Campaigns of Napoleon by David G Chandler

2 talleyrand by duff cooper, 3 with eagles to glory: napoleon and his german allies in the 1809 campaign by john h gill, 4 private memoirs of the court of napoleon by louis françois joseph bausset-roquefort, 5 with napoleon in russia: memoirs of general de caulaincourt, duke of vicenza by armand de caulaincourt.

I f you were to explain the significance of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) to someone who knew nothing about him, what would you say?

I argue that although he didn’t have much to do with the French Revolution itself, as he was too young, he nonetheless kept the best bits of the Revolution—equality before the law, religious tolerance, meritocracy—for France and the countries that France conquered. The Code Napoleon was still in effect in the Rhineland until 1900, for example, and it underlies modern European legal systems to this day.

He got rid of the worst bits, like the mass guillotining, the Reign of Terror, the various mad ideas they had like the ten-day week, abolishing Christianity, and so on. He was the person who brought France into the 19th century with huge reforms of administration and finance. He was a moderniser.

You mentioned his relationship with the Revolution. I think there’s something paradoxical about it. He’d declare things like “I am the Revolution”, and the Napoleonic Code did enshrine revolutionary principles like civic equality into law. But didn’t he also curtail the rights of women and reinstate slavery in the Caribbean sugar colonies? Some would argue that the main constitution itself was structurally undemocratic, with an unelected senate, even if it was put to the people in a plebiscite.

The Code Napoleon was not good for women , but then they were hardly over-endowed with rights before the Revolution. He went on to abolish slavery , of course, not once but twice. He did reinstitute it in 1802, but abolished it again in 1814. So, he had an in-out/in-out policy with slavery. When I say a ‘moderniser’, I mean a moderniser in the context of the times, not a moderniser in the context of Tony Blair.

Joining the dots between the French Revolution and Napoleon’s ascendency, how did France go from establishing a Republic and executing their king to welcoming an emperor barely a decade later?

I think his military successes first in Italy in 1796 and also in 1800 as well as his creation of the civil code were essential to understanding how they able to recognise that he wasn’t a king . Being an emperor and being a king were very different things. They were perfectly happy to have an empire, which they saw as being based on republican principles, with a Napoleon rather than Bourbon at the top of the tree.

So, there wasn’t any lingering republican resistance?

No, there was—especially in the army. The French army was considered to be highly republican. There was resistance from people like Marshal Bernadotte to Napoleon calling himself an emperor in December 1804. But it was not unpopular in the rest of the country.

I really enjoyed your own biography of Napoleon , which was awarded the Grand Prix of the Fondation Napoléon. It’s an excellent read and continues to be an international bestseller in both UK and US editions. It was also one of the first books to build upon the publication of some 33,000 of Napoleon’s letters. I’m curious to know what you found to be the most striking revelations from them. Did they overturn any major myths?

There are still dozens of myths and misconceptions about Napoleon. But what I came across most powerfully among the letters was his capacity for compartmentalising his mind. He could completely ignore what was happening at the time, even during or after battles or when the Kremlin was burning, and concentrate on running parts of his empire, or on setting up the rules of a girls’ school, or on telling a prefect that he shouldn’t be seen at the opera with his mistress. He had this incredible capacity for, as he put it, pulling out a drawer in his mind, dealing with whatever was in it, and then closing it again.

If we’re talking about myths, I suppose the main one to get out of the way is his height!

Your first book choice is The Campaigns of Napoleon by David Chandler. Can you tell us about this one and why you’ve recommended it?

It’s a totally comprehensive history of all of Napoleon’s campaigns. Chandler wrote it, I think, in the late 60s, and yet it still holds up very well as an overall history of Napoleon’s fighting. Perfectly understandably, it doesn’t include everything else about Napoleon—the politics, the personality, the 27 mistresses and all the rest of it—nor is it intending to do that. It’s just doing the military side of it all. But it is an absolutely encyclopaedic run-through of all of Napoleon’s battles.

So, this is a must-have for military history buffs?

It is indeed. David Chandler reissued it several times and updated it with the latest thought on Napoleon’s battles. If there was something new said on the Battle of Austerlitz or something like that, he would then reissue the book with that new information in it. So, you want to buy the last iteration of it before David died.

Napoleon is often labelled a “military genius”. Notwithstanding his ultimate defeat, what is the best way to support that judgement?

I think the fact that he was able to fight so many different kinds of battles. The reason that he’s a genius is that he managed to win battles whether he outnumbered the enemy or was outnumbered by the enemy, whether he was moving forwards or backwards, whether or not he was having his right or left flank enveloped, or whether he was enveloping the enemies. Or sometimes he could do a double-envelopment, which is one of the most difficult manoeuvres in warfare. He managed to pull that off.

“It is an absolutely encyclopaedic run through of all of Napoleon’s battles”

Napoleon had equal dexterity when it came to commanding infantry, cavalry, and artillery, even though he was himself educated as an artilleryman. He’s also extremely good in coalition warfare—in striking at the hinge between his enemies but also keeping his own coalitions in order. His invasion of Russia involved something like 20 countries. You have, therefore, a commander who is incredibly dextrous and capable of adapting to whatever military circumstance he’s facing.

In terms of his military weaknesses, we undoubtedly have naval warfare, but he also had difficulty with guerrilla insurgencies in the Peninsular War.

That’s right and, of course, the guerrilla insurgencies in the Russian campaign as well. He was no good at sea. At all. He just didn’t understand how ships worked. That was a huge lacuna in his capacity and his knowledge. As is what we now call “asymmetrical warfare”, where the enemy doesn’t actually put up an army in the field.

Would you say Napoleon was deluded about his own naval capabilities?

Yes. He didn’t recognise that he was rubbish at sea at all. He thought that you could tell an admiral to do things at sea in much the same way that you could tell a general to do things on land. But, of course, the whole process is very very different—not least because of the wind!

There were various points in your book where Napoleon is still trying to fund naval expansion and is putting men out in ships for warfare despite them never having been at sea before.

That’s right. To give him his due, though, he was up against the Royal Navy which was at the peak of its efficiency. Britain was putting one third of its national spend into the navy. With admirals like the Earl of St Vincent and Collingwood and obviously Nelson, they had endless extremely talented admirals and an extremely can-do attitude towards maritime fighting in the period of fighting sail. Napoleon was really up against an absolutely superb organisation in the Royal Navy. One has to give him his due, but there are no Napoleonic naval victories.

The Napoleonic Wars are very complex and involve coalitions taking on Napoleon at different points. How much can we say with generality about what provoked them?

Here was somebody who was a profoundly radical force that each of these legitimist monarchies like the Hapsburgs of Austria and the Romanovs of Russia and the Hohenzollerns of Prussia were extremely nervous about. They saw what had happened to the Bourbons in France, and they didn’t want it to happen at home. So, this cold wind of modernisation that Napoleon unleashed on Europe was something that they were very keen to try to . . . whatever you do to a wind. That’s the reason.

So, he has inherited international hostility already because of the Revolution?

That’s right, yes. But also, they didn’t see him as a legitimate monarch. There were no ‘Bonapartes’ before him. His statement that he wanted to be the Rudolf of his dynasty, i.e. the founding father like Rudolf Hapsburg had been, was seen to be impossibly pretentious—not least because Rudolf came from the 13th century and they were in the 18th century.

There are two cases of Napoleon launching an offensive war. The rest of the time, people are declaring war on him. So, would you say this image of Napoleon stomping across Europe, declaring war on everybody, annexing their territory and so on, is completely wrong?

Yes, completely wrong. He started the Peninsular War and he started the 1812 Russian campaign. Other than that, each of the wars was started by the coalitions against him.

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And the cases where Napoleon does initiate a war seem largely to do with enforcing the ‘Continental System’—his attempt to weaken Britain economically by blocking trade—rather than building an empire for empire’s sake.

Precisely, yes. He didn’t believe in empire for empire’s sake; he recognised that he could overstretch French resources very dangerously and very easily. But he did want to try to force England to the negotiating table. The way he thought he could do that was to hit us in our pocket and try to cut us off from all European markets.

That’s why he invaded Portugal, which was unwilling to take part in the Continental System—being a very old ally of England’s, going back to 1383—and it’s also why, ultimately, he invaded Russia after the tsar ripped up the Tilsit agreement and started trading openly with Britain. It’s a fascinating thing that, as you say, the two aggressive wars that Napoleon started began for mercantile protectionist reasons. It was to try to force the merchants of London to put pressure on the Whig and Tory governments to make peace with him.

But the problem with enforcing this policy of economic strangulation against the Brits was their sea power.

Exactly. When you can land anywhere at all, when you can set up various places off the coast of Italy and off the coast of Germany which are effectively massive freebooting piracy operations of free-trade in everything, it’s just something that is not going to work. His attempt to stimulate local production and an industrial revolution in France was also something that never truly got off the ground.

Britain and France are continuously at war from 1803 onwards until Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815, a period of war unmatched in any of the other coalitions. What do you think is the main motivation for why the Brits are so uncompromising?

Let’s move on to your next book. This is Duff Cooper’s biography of the diplomat Talleyrand, whose political life encompasses the rise and fall of Napoleon and beyond.

Talleyrand had a totally extraordinary political life. He supported six different separate regimes in his career and, naturally, got a reputation for being a turncoat. Some people have argued, including Duff Cooper in this brilliant biography, that he did have some central messages that he believed all his life—like liberalism and an affection for the English-style constitution. But the key reason to read this book is that it’s literature as much as history. It’s a beautifully written evocation of an era that Duff Cooper, having been British ambassador to Paris, knew well and actually saw the last glimmers of.

It’s incredible that Talleyrand flees the Reign of Terror, goes to England and then to America, returns to France in 1796 and manages to become foreign minister within a year.

And stays foreign minister or in the diplomatic sphere in some way or another for the rest of his life. He thereby met almost all the important people in Europe and was at the table when all the great decisions were made. He was born an aristocrat and was later an unfrocked bishop. He had a lame foot rather like Byron and Goebbels which apparently turns you into a sex maniac; he turned his niece into his mistress which I think today would have him defenestrated but, nonetheless, no one seemed to hold that against him either.

What does the book tell us about the relation between Talleyrand and Napoleon? What are the main ways we can trace his influence on Napoleon as foreign minister or vice-elector?

It tells us that it was always rocky. Napoleon, quite rightly, didn’t trust him. Talleyrand was working especially with the Russians behind Napoleon’s back. Despite being extremely witty and obviously wonderful company, he was a dangerous person to have working for you. Talleyrand generally thought that France should be at peace and, of course, that’s very difficult when you’re the foreign minister of a conqueror.

I don’t see that you can call Napoleon a warmonger given that, as we’ve said, of the seven wars of the coalitions he only started two. But I think there was a legitimist jihad against him and against the French Revolution. And he had to fight those. But, overall, Talleyrand was someone who, as a good negotiator and a diplomat, wanted peace.

And was willing to betray Napoleon’s military secrets in the process?

He was willing to betray absolutely everybody in the process. It wasn’t just Napoleon; he betrayed five different regimes in the course of his life. I’m certain that had he lived any longer, he would have betrayed the July Monarchy as well.

It’s surprising that when Napoleon found out Talleyrand was selling military secrets to his enemies, he didn’t exile or execute him.

This is another reason to recognise that Napoleon is not a proto-Hitler in the way he’s been portrayed by many British historians. If he were a proto-Hitler, he would have shot Talleyrand and Fouché (his police minister) years before. Napoleon was a dictator politically, in that he dictated the laws of France and what happened. But I don’t think he has anything in common with the 20th-century dictators like Lenin, Mussolini, Hitler , and Stalin.

But what about atrocities like executing thousands of prisoners of war in Jaffa, for instance?

When you say “for instance”, that implies that there were 20 or 30 Jaffas but there weren’t. There’s one at Jaffa and then, after that, in 1796 in Padua, Italy, he also let the troops run riot. But other than that, there just aren’t the mass executions. There aren’t the 40,000 people who died during the Reign of Terror, for example.

“Napoleon was a dictator politically in that he dictated the laws of France and what happened. But I don’t think he has anything in common with the 20th-century dictators”

I go into Jaffa in some detail in my book about how the men who he executed had earlier promised to fight against France. And then, six weeks later, they were captured fighting against France. According to the very harsh rules of law in the late eighteenth century, they forfeited their lives.

There’s a stereotype about Napoleon being indifferent to the immense human cost incurred by trying to establish French hegemony in Europe. Do you think this is misguided?

Yes, I think it’s hugely misguided. I think that commanders throughout history have had to harden their hearts to the inevitable losses made, but I don’t think he ever threw men into battle willy-nilly. He was one of the great commanders in history and one of the great soldiers of all time. Great soldiers don’t do that. And he was personally affected. There are times when he’s in tears in his tent after a battle, in the same way that Wellington was.

The idea of him being some cold-hearted unemotional figure profoundly misunderstands him, as does the idea of him being humourless. Throughout my book, there are something like 80 or 90 Napoleon jokes. He was constantly making humorous remarks that even 200 years later remain extremely funny.

I enjoyed the one where, in the midst of battle, an officer has his helmet thrown off by the impact of a cannonball, only for Napoleon to casually remark “It’s a good job you’re not any taller.”

Let’s move on to your third book. This is With Eagles to Glory: Napoleon and His German Allies in the 1809 Campaign by John H. Gill.

This is a tremendously detailed military history of the Danube campaign of 1809. This was a very important campaign because it knocked the Austrians out of the Napoleonic Wars for the third time. The only way for them to deal with Napoleon after that was for the archduchess Marie-Louise to marry Napoleon and try to bring him into the system like that. He fought a lightning campaign up the Danube, capturing Vienna, fighting battles such as Aspern-Essling and Wagram. This is Napoleon at his classic best. You can see him in this book just outmaneuvering the Austrian army again and again.

One of the distinctive things about this book is that it drew a lot of attention to the 30,000 German troops fighting on behalf of Napoleon.

Yes, this book is an important corrective to the idea that Napoleon’s forces were all French. They certainly weren’t. When Napoleon invaded Russia, only something like 55% of his army were French. He invaded Russia with 615,000 men which was the same size as Paris at the time. It’s very important to see the Napoleonic Wars as coalition wars, both on his side and against him. The book does lots of other things as well, but it certainly underlines that very important factor about Napoleon’s wars.

These soldiers were all supplied from the Confederation of the Rhine. Can you tell us about that and when it was established?

It was established at the time of the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire in August 1806. After the Holy Roman Empire vaporised out of existence, it became Napoleon’s tool—his vehicle—for bringing together the north German states. He called himself the “Protector” of the Confederation. They stayed as such for nine years or so before it itself collapsed at the time of the 1813 campaign. The battles of Leipzig and Dresden were pretty much the death-knell for the Confederation of the Rhine.

I want to ask about military culture and attitudes towards Napoleon among soldiers from the client states. Presumably the German troops didn’t have the same patriotic fervour motivating them as French soldiers, but they weren’t indifferent either.

There’s a huge difference. Some of them some of the time are just as enthusiastic about Napoleon as the French. The Polish lancers, for example, believed that Napoleon was going to make Poland an independent state and give it its own sovereignty for the first time since it had been sliced up in the partitions. And so, they were incredibly excited about fighting for Napoleon. In fact, Napoleon is the only individual named in the Polish national anthem. That’s a good one for a pub quiz!

Your last two books are written by people who had great proximity to Napoleon. Let’s look at Private Memoirs Of The Court Of Napoleon by Louis François Joseph Bausset-Roquefort. This seems a fairly unknown book.

Yes, it’s a very little-known book but an extremely interesting one. Bausset was Napoleon’s palace chamberlain who followed him around the campaigns and lived in his palaces. He knew the family very well indeed and wrote these memoirs even though it was dangerous to do that once the Bourbons had been restored. He was still an admirer of Napoleon and is the living personification of the untruth of the epithet that “no man is a hero to his valet.”

Bausset definitely did admire Napoleon—not blind hero-worship by any means, but he was somebody who saw Napoleon for what he was. This book explodes many of the myths about Napoleon being a vicious and unpleasant individual. Instead, he comes across as a good employer, a witty man, and someone who had normal human emotions.

I suppose it says a lot about a person when all of your personal servants are begging to go into exile with you.

Well, exactly. And not just any old exile. One could understand why they might have wanted to go to Elba, which is a perfectly nice, warm, pleasant place. One would go on holiday to Elba, but nobody would go on holiday to Saint Helena. This is a windswept, godforsaken, tiny, eight-by-ten-mile island plopped bang in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It takes six days by boat to get there from Cape Town, or at least it did before the airport came in. And a very boring journey it is too, I can tell you. And these 21 servants were basically fighting each other for the right to accompany into exile. It shows the charisma of the man.

You mentioned that Bausset goes with him on the campaigns, but what do we find out about Napoleon in a more domestic setting?

That he was a kind husband and a loving father. He was not the domestic monster that the Bourbon literature has been so keen to present him as; many books, I’m afraid, have taken it for granted to be true.

There are some quite eccentric arrangements in Napoleon’s imperial household as well. I’m thinking of his first wife Josephine’s menagerie.

Yes, having orangutans around at lunchtime, zebras in the fields, and black swans at Malmaison. That was her idea, of course, but he indulged it and paid for it. But having exotic animals at that time was very much a royal pursuit and it had been for years. I think Cosimo III de’ Medici had a hippopotamus or something along those lines. It was a way of proving your wealth and status to have unusual animals around. Josephine did actually dress the orangutan in a chemise and have it come to tea parties.

You mentioned that this was to flaunt wealth and status. Was that a slightly sore thing to do considering the tensions building up to the Revolution?

Let’s go on to your final choice. This is the Memoirs of General de Caulaincourt, Duke of Vicenza.

These are fascinating. Caulaincourt was the ambassador to Russia and was also Napoleon’s master of the horse. He was an aristocrat, born and bred. At least according to his memoirs, he was the person who informed Napoleon not to invade Russia. The memoirs were only published in 1935, and there’s no reason why he should have lied in them, owing to the fact that they were never going to be published in his lifetime.

Once he had warned Napoleon, he came with him and was the only person on the sledge that accompanied Napoleon back to France from the catastrophe of the 1812 campaign. It’s in his sledge that we get Napoleon saying “from the sublime to the ridiculous is just one small step.” The memoirs are immensely well-written, encapsulating and pretty crushing for Napoleon’s reputation with regard to the 1812 campaign.

So, it’s not a panegyric?

Not in the slightest. But equally it’s not a denunciation. Caulaincourt stayed with Napoleon up until the 1814 abdication and is a trustworthy source. He’s not anti-Napoleon. It seems that he kept scraps of paper that he used as his notes for this book. It’s a pretty fabulous and invaluable source for the period.

The Russia campaign is regarded as one of the worst defeats in military history. Can you give an outline of the factors that made it so catastrophic?

Napoleon went into Russia on June 21, 1812 with 615,000 men, and by the time he crossed the river Niemen back in the other direction in December, he had lost over half a million of those men. In that sense, you have to go back to the ancient world to see such an enormous military catastrophe.

“Napoleon went into Russia on 21 June 1812 with 615,000 men. By the time he crossed the river Niemen back in the other direction in December, he had lost over half a million of those men”

In a nutshell, the reason was that he was drawn further and further into Russia. He captured Moscow, something that Hitler never did, but he stayed there too long. He won a battle called Maloyaroslavets and decided the next day to retreat back via Borodino, which was a big battle that he’d won on 7 September. It turned out to be the wrong route back and his army was encompassed by blizzards. Although he won each of the formal engagements, the army was swallowed up by the snows of Russia. It’s a story of cannibalism and utter despair and disaster, with a few flashes of redemption such as the crossing of the Berezina river. Otherwise, it’s up there with Xenophon.

We’ve mentioned it already, but it’s important to keep in mind that Napoleon wasn’t marching on Russia to try and annex it. He was trying to force Russia’s compliance with the Continental System.

Yes, he had no territorial desires. He had an army twice the size of the Russian one, and had defeated the Russians twice before. Napoleon only intended to fight on the outskirts; he only intended to go in 50 miles or so and wanted a three-week campaign. Instead, it turned out to be a six-month campaign and carried on for literally thousands of miles there and back. It’s a classic example of mission creep.

The Russians also pursued a scorched earth policy, rather like they did in 1941 and 1942, which meant that there was mass starvation. Napoleon lost 100,000 of the troops of his central thrust to typhus—a horrible disease where a louse will bury itself into your skin and then defecate in your skin and then die. You then die about four days later in immense pain. It’s a horrible way to go.

With armies in those days, everyone had lice. If the weather’s too cold for you to change your clothes more than once every six weeks or so, then you’re going to get lice. The soldiers all huddled together, very close to one another, because it was so cold outside. So, their lice jumped from one soldier to another. There wasn’t a single person, including the emperor, who didn’t have lice. They didn’t work out a cure for typhus until 1911; it wasn’t properly diagnosed until over a century later. It was, in every way, an absolute nightmare of a campaign.

It’s largely remembered for the merciless winter, but the immense heat of the summer advance was almost as damaging.

That killed a lot of horses. And, of course, it’s almost entirely a horse-and-bullock-drawn invasion. The heat and the thirst were appalling on the way into Russia, yes. It was biblical.

There are three more years before Waterloo in 1815 but, in your view, was the Russian campaign the turning point?

Yes. Up until 1811, Napoleon was the master of Europe. From December 1812 onwards, he was on the skids. You can’t lose half a million men and not expect your throne to topple.

But he went out fighting.

He did. The 1814 campaign involved small numbers of men but, nonetheless, he won four battles in five days there. He was back to his old form. These were significant, rather brilliant military victories. But, in the end, with the whole of Europe against him and invading, he was fought to a standstill and then very comprehensively defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.

Just to end, what do you consider to be Napoleon’s greatest achievements that have endured?

I think the beauty of Paris is very largely down to him. He rebuilt Paris. We love going and taking our loved ones there and crossing the four bridges that he built and seeing the fountains and great buildings like the Madeleine Church. That’s a testament to him. He designed the Arc de Triomphe , but it was only built after his death. Although as an Englishman I prefer English common law, nonetheless the whole of French and European law is much more closely built on the Napoleonic Code than anything that had gone before, including Roman law. Napoleon is someone who every Frenchman should be proud of. Other things like the Légion d’honneur and the Conseil d’État are still around. In fact, the numbering of its houses in its streets from the Seine outwards is all down to him. There are also the reservoirs. Even 200 years after his death, it’s difficult to imagine Paris or France without the influence of Napoleon Bonaparte.

October 28, 2019

Five Books aims to keep its book recommendations and interviews up to date. If you are the interviewee and would like to update your choice of books (or even just what you say about them) please email us at [email protected]

Andrew Roberts

Andrew Roberts is a British historian and journalist. He is a Visiting Professor at the Department of War Studies, King's College London, a Roger and Martha Mertz Visiting Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and a Lehrman Institute Distinguished Lecturer at the New York Historical Society. He has written or edited nineteen books—including internationally bestselling biographies of Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill—which have been translated into 23 languages.

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7 Of The Best Books On Napoleon Bonaparte

“Imagination rules the world.”

When it comes to the greatest military leaders in history, few names come close to matching the legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte. Having risen through the ranks as a military genius during the French Revolution, his authoritarian rule as First Consul and then as Emperor led to many cultural and political reforms that helped establish Europe’s contemporary history, and his fast-paced stunning tactics continue to fascinate military schools and historians to this day. From his humble beginnings in Corsica, his expeditions to Egypt, smashing victories at Austerlitz and Wagram, his doomed invasion of Russia to his final defeat and exile following Waterloo, books on Napoleon help us put his achievements into perspective, understand his character and appreciate his legacy on history. Join us today at What We Reading as we present the best Napoleon books and biographies that capture all there is to know about the French emperor (who was definitely average height for the time). 

Napoleon: A Life – Andrew Roberts 

First up on our list of the best books on Napoleon is Andrew Roberts’ definitive biography of the French emperor. From Austerlitz to Waterloo, Napoleon: A Life was the first single-volume biography on Napoleon to make use of the thirty-three thousand letters published by the man himself, completely warping our understanding of his character and motivations. Dictated during his years of exile on St. Helena, these letters show Napoleon to be far more decisive, strategic and forgiving than many readers would likely assume. 

Roberts, an award-winning historian, travelled to fifty-three of Napoleon’s sixty battle sites, uncovered crucial new material in archives and even visited St. Helena personally to paint one of the most compelling portraits of Napoleon. Acute just as much in his political knowledge as he is with his military history, A Life is undoubtedly the most insightful, fascinating and comprehensive Napoleon books ever written. 

Napoleon: The Man Behind The Myth – Adam Zamoyski 

In his 2018 biography, Napoleon: The Man Behind the Myth , Adam Zamoyski makes use of original European sources to take readers beyond the myths surrounding France’s First Consul. Rather than the conflicting views that surround Napoleon ranging from being a god-like genius to a crackpot nasty little dictator , Zamoyski’s landmark work shows that he was instead a rather ordinary individual, capable of flashes that lean into all of these personalities. 

By stripping away the prejudices, The Man Behind the Myth is a book on Napoleon that firmly puts the emperor in the context of his time. From a range of European sources in several different languages, Zamoyski’s book is one of struggle, ambition, conflict and self-interest, examining how a boy from Corsica became ‘Napoleon’. He documents how Napoleon was able to achieve what he did, and how he managed to undo it all. Rather than painting Napoleon as either a genius, romantic or a butcher, Zamoyski expertly attempts to understand Napoleon and his incredible trajectory. 

Napoleon In Egypt – Paul Strathern 

Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt was the first attack from the West on the Middle East in modern history. And, in his acclaimed book on Napoleon, Paul Stathern offers readers a rich and compelling account of a mission fuelled by a quest for riches and glory, and how it ended in disaster. 

Napoleon in Egypt documents the 335 ships, 40,000 soldiers and an array of scholars, artists, scientists and inventors that followed Napoleon on his mission to establish an Eastern empire akin to his hero, Alexander the Great. Yet, this ‘liberation’ effort would soon descend into endless desert marches in the shadows of the pyramids, being hounded by a Muslim army led by the infamous Murad Bey. Not only one of the best Napoleon books for capturing the unquenchable ambition, heroic romanticism and slice of madness that personified all of his efforts, Strathern’s work also shows the significance of Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt in bridging Eastern and Western cultures and broadening, translating hieroglyphics and modern Egyptology. 

The Illustrious Dead: The Terrifying Story Of How Typhus Killed Napoleon’s Greatest Army – Stephen Talty 

In the spring of 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte was at the height of his powers. Forty-five million people called him ‘emperor’ and he led the most cultured and advanced nation on Earth. No army on the continent could match his masterfully trained forces, leading to him turning his attention towards Russia. He assembled the largest army ever seen in human history, and his continued sweep across Europe seemed like an inevitability. 

Yet, even as the disorganised Russians dispersed around him, Napoleon’s invading force would find itself continually picked off by an invisible assailant. The emperor’s fabled brilliance appeared useless as the once all-conquering march descended into a hellish retreat for survival. No list of Napoleon books would be complete without an examination of the infamous invasion of Russia, and Stephen Talty presents a unique take on the tale by going beyond the bloody battlefields and into the ordinary lives of the soldiers present, and the ghastly pathogens that have a hidden role in history. 

Napoleon: A Political Life – Steven Englund 

If you’re looking for a book about Napoleon that focuses more on his enduring political legacy rather than all of his fabled military adventures, Steven Englund has you covered with his famous work, Napoleon: A Political Life . 

This sophisticated biography may not be the best reading for a newcomer to all things Bonaparte, but it does do an excellent job of analysing one of Europe’s most famous generals. From his Corsican upbringing, his French education, his acts of reform as First Consul, his more controversial record as Emperor, all the way to his exile and death, A Political Life is one of the best books for understanding the power Napoleon held, and why he continues to fascinate even to this day. 

The Invisible Emperor: Napoleon On Elba – Mark Braude 

One of the most overlooked parts of Napoleon’s remarkable life was the emperor’s ten-month-long exile on the small island of Elba. But, in Mark Braude’s The Invisible Emperor , readers get a fascinating look at how the most powerful man on the planet turned defeat into one final challenge. 

A jaw-dropping drama mixed with a close character study, The Invisible Emperor presents a different side to Napoleon Bonaparte – as a heartbroken husband, civil engineer, interior designer, decorator, gardener and even spymaster. It also chronicles his efforts to turn two of his greatest enemies into close confidants, build a miniature island empire and famously hatch a plan to return to France without ever firing a single shot. 

Waterloo: The True Story Of Four Days, Three Armies And Three Battles – Bernard Cornwell 

Bestselling historian Bernard Cornwell offers one of the most fascinating books on Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars in his 2014 work. Already renowned for his ability to bring history to life through his vivid storytelling, Waterloo: The True Story of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles is everything you need to know about a campaign that forever altered the course of European history. 

Through the lens of the British, Prussian and French armies amassed across the campaign, Cornwell delves into the heroism and tragedies of what it was truly like to be a soldier fighting at the scene of Waterloo. Pitting two of the greatest military minds on the continent against each other, Cornwell’s combination of gritty descriptions and meticulously researched details make this the definitive account of what would prove to be Napoleon’s final defeat. 

Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).

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David Bell emphasizes the astonishing sense of human possibility--for both good and ill--that Napoleon represented. By his late twenties, Napoleon was already one of the greatest generals in European history. At thirty, he had become an absolute master of Europe's most powerful country. In his early forties, he ruled a European empire more powerful than any since Rome, fighting wars that changed the shape of the continent and brought death to millions. Then everything collapsed, leading him to spend his last years in miserable exile in the South Atlantic.

Bell emphasizes the importance of the French Revolution in understanding Napoleon's career. The revolution made possible the unprecedented concentration of political authority that Napoleon accrued, and his success in mobilizing human and material resources. Without the political changes brought about by the revolution, Napoleon could not have fought his wars. Without the wars, he could not have seized and held onto power. Though his virtual dictatorship betrayed the ideals of liberty and equality, his life and career were revolutionary.

The story of Napoleon has been written many times. In some versions, he is a military genius, in others a war-obsessed tyrant. Here, historian Adam Zamoyski cuts through the mythology and explains Napoleon against the background of the European Enlightenment, and what he was himself seeking to achieve. This most famous of men is also the most hidden of men, and Zamoyski dives deeper than any previous biographer to find him. Beautifully written, Napoleon brilliantly sets the man in his European context.

The Napoleonic wars were nothing if not complex—an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of moves and intentions, which by themselves went a long way towards baffling and dazing his conventionally-minded opponents into that state of disconcerting moral disequilibrium which so often resulted in their catastrophic defeat.

Unfortunately, this is an older book and it only comes in hardcover. Due to its high price, we recommend that you check it out from a library.

When Napoleon’s Grand Armee went to war against the might of the Habsburg empire in 1809, its forces included more than 100,000 allied German troops. From his earliest imperial campaigns, these troops provided played a key role as Napoleon swept from victory to victory and in 1809 their fighting abilities were crucial to the campaign. With Napoleon’s French troops depleted and debilitated after the long struggle in the Spanish War, the German troops for the first time played a major combat role in the center of the battle line.

Frederick Kagan, a distinguished historian and military policy expert, has tapped hitherto unused archival materials from Austria, Prussia, France, and Russia, to present the history of these years from the balanced perspective of all of the major players of Europe. In The End of the Old Order readers encounter the rulers, ministers, citizens, and subjects of Europe in all of their political and military activity-from the desk of the prime minister to the pen of the ambassador, from the map of the general to the rifle of the soldier.

John Tone recounts the dramatic story of how, between 1808 and 1814, Spanish peasants created and sustained the world's first guerrilla insurgency movement, thereby playing a major role in Napoleon's defeat in the Peninsula War. Focusing on the army of Francisco Mina, Tone offers new insights into the origins, motives, and successes of these first guerrilla forces by interpreting the conflict from the long-ignored perspective of the guerrillas themselves.

While this book is not specifically about Napoleon, it examines the early 19th century through Tallyrand. Tallyrand was the French Foreign Minister for multiple French regimes and one of the most interesting and remarkable diplomats of the 19th century. Unique in his own age and a phenomenon in any, Charles-Maurice, Prince de Talleyrand, was a statesman of outstanding ability and extraordinary contradictions. He was a world-class rogue who held high office in five successive regimes. A well-known opportunist and a notorious bribe taker, Talleyrand’s gifts to France arguably outvalued the vast personal fortune he amassed in her service.

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‘Napoleon: A Life,’ by Andrew Roberts

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By Duncan Kelly

• Nov. 13, 2014

On July 22, 1789, a week after the storming of the Bastille in Paris, Napoleon Bonaparte wrote to his older brother, Joseph, that there was nothing much to worry about. “Calm will return. In a month.” His timing was off, but perhaps he took the misjudgment to heart because he spent the rest of his life trying to bring glory and order to France by building a new sort of empire. By the time he was crowned emperor on Dec. 2, 1804, he could say, “I am the Revolution.” It was, according to the historian Andrew Roberts’s epically scaled new biography, “Napoleon: A Life,” both the ultimate triumph of the self-made man, an outsider from Corsica who rose to the apex of French political life, and simultaneously a “defining moment of the Enlightenment,” fixing the “best” of the French Revolution through his legal, educational and administrative reforms. Such broad contours get at what Napoleon meant by saying to his literary hero Goethe at a meeting in Erfurt, “Politics is fate.”

Napoleon didn’t mean fatalism by this, rather that political action is unavoidable if you want personal and national glory. It requires a mastery of fortune, and a willingness to be ruthless when necessary. If this sounds Machiavellian, that’s because it is — Machiavelli’s arguments about politics informed Napoleon’s self-consciousness, whether in appraising fortune as a woman or a river to be tamed and harnessed, or assuming that in politics it is better to be feared than loved. Such views went hand in hand with the grand visions of politics outlined in the ancient histories and biographies Napoleon revered as a young man. “Bloodletting is among the ingredients of political medicine” was Napoleon’s cool if brutal reminder of an ever-present item on his exhausting schedule.

His strategy always included dashing off thousands of letters and plans, in a personal regime calling for little sleep, much haste and a penchant for being read to while taking baths so as not to waste even a minute. He compartmentalized ruthlessly, changing tack between lobbying for more shoes and brandy for the army at one minute, to directing the personal lives of his siblings or writing love letters to the notorious Josephine at another; here ensuring extravagant financial “contributions” from those whom he had vanquished, there discussing the booty to send back to Paris, particularly from the extraordinary expedition in Egypt where his “ savants had missed nothing.” The personal and the political ran alongside each other in his mind.

Yet when his longtime collaborator but fair-weather political friend, the diplomat Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, suggested that Napoleon try to make those he conquered learn to love France, Napoleon replied that this was an irrelevance. “ Aimer : I don’t really know what this means when applied to politics,” he said. Still, if grand strategy and national interest lay behind foreign affairs, there were nevertheless personal rules of conduct to uphold. Talleyrand was a party to Napoleon’s strategy since supporting his coup d’état against the French Directory in 1799. That was O.K. And by short-selling securities he made millions for himself. But he was called out by Napoleon and dismissed as vice grand elector when found facing both ways politically at a crucial moment.

Napoleon understood those temptations because he was also flexible enough to tilt toward the winning side, regularly supporting any form of local religion that could help him militarily. Nonetheless, Roberts’s Napoleon is a soldier, statesman and “bona fide intellectual,” who rode his luck for longer than most intellectuals in politics ever do.

Testing himself against fate seems to have been his mantra. A relative outsider to the French elite, he forced his way up its ranks through ferocious hard work, making the best of his natural talents, particularly in mathematics and artillery. He was among the few selected for the prestigious École Militaire in Paris, and there he grasped every opportunity. He was a severe young man with little small talk. “His favorite entertainments were intellectual rather than social,” though he eventually cultivated a happy marriage with Josephine, only later to annul it for strategic reasons.

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Early life and education

The jacobin years.

• The Directory
• Consolidation of power
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Who was Napoleon?

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Napoleon I, also called Napoléon Bonaparte, was a French military general and statesman. Napoleon played a key role in the French Revolution (1789–99), served as first consul of France (1799–1804), and was the first emperor of France (1804–14/15). Today Napoleon is widely considered one of the greatest military generals in history.

Napoleon first seized political power in a coup d’état in 1799. The coup resulted in the replacement of the extant governing body—a five-member Directory —by a three-person Consulate . The first consul, Napoleon, had all the real power; the other two consuls were figureheads. Napoleon eventually abolished the Consulate and declared himself Emperor Napoleon I of France.

Napoleon served as first consul of France from 1799 to 1804. In that time, Napoleon reformed the French educational system, developed a civil code (the Napoleonic Code ), and negotiated the Concordat of 1801 . He also initiated the Napoleonic Wars (c. 1801–15), a series of wars that carried over into his reign as emperor of France (1804–14/15). As Emperor Napoleon I, he modernized the French military.

After a series of military defeats in 1812–13, Napoleon was forced to abdicate the French throne on April 6, 1814. Napoleon returned to power in early 1815 but was again ousted on June 22, 1815. In October 1815 Napoleon was exiled to the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, where he remained until he died on May 5, 1821, at age 51.

No! “Le Petit Caporal” wasn’t petite—at least not by 19th-century standards. The estimated average height of a French man in 1820 was 5 feet 4 inches (about 1.65 meters). At the time of his death in 1821, Napoleon measured about 5 feet 7 inches (roughly 1.68 meters) tall, meaning that he was actually of above-average height.

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Napoleon I (born August 15, 1769, Ajaccio, Corsica—died May 5, 1821, St. Helena Island ) was a French general , first consul (1799–1804), and emperor of the French (1804–1814/15), one of the most celebrated personages in the history of the West. He revolutionized military organization and training; sponsored the Napoleonic Code , the prototype of later civil-law codes; reorganized education; and established the long-lived Concordat with the papacy.

(See “Napoleon’s Major Battles” Interactive Map)

Napoleon’s many reforms left a lasting mark on the institutions of France and of much of western Europe . But his driving passion was the military expansion of French dominion, and, though at his fall he left France little larger than it had been at the outbreak of the Revolution in 1789, he was almost unanimously revered during his lifetime and until the end of the Second Empire under his nephew Napoleon III as one of history’s great heroes.

Napoleon was born on Corsica shortly after the island’s cession to France by the Genoese. He was the fourth, and second surviving, child of Carlo Buonaparte , a lawyer, and his wife, Letizia Ramolino. His father’s family, of ancient Tuscan nobility, had emigrated to Corsica in the 16th century.

Carlo Buonaparte had married the beautiful and strong-willed Letizia when she was only 14 years old; they eventually had eight children to bring up in very difficult times. The French occupation of their native country was resisted by a number of Corsicans led by Pasquale Paoli . Carlo Buonaparte joined Paoli’s party, but, when Paoli had to flee, Buonaparte came to terms with the French. Winning the protection of the governor of Corsica, he was appointed assessor for the judicial district of Ajaccio in 1771. In 1778 he obtained the admission of his two eldest sons, Joseph and Napoleon, to the Collège d’Autun.

A Corsican by birth, heredity, and childhood associations, Napoleon continued for some time after his arrival in Continental France to regard himself a foreigner; yet from age nine he was educated in France as other Frenchmen were. While the tendency to see in Napoleon a reincarnation of some 14th-century Italian condottiere is an overemphasis on one aspect of his character, he did, in fact, share neither the traditions nor the prejudices of his new country: remaining a Corsican in temperament, he was first and foremost, through both his education and his reading, a man of the 18th century.

Napoleon was educated at three schools: briefly at Autun , for five years at the military college of Brienne, and finally for one year at the military academy in Paris. It was during Napoleon’s year in Paris that his father died of a stomach cancer in February 1785, leaving his family in straitened circumstances. Napoleon, although not the eldest son, assumed the position of head of the family before he was 16. In September he graduated from the military academy, ranking 42nd in a class of 58.

He was made second lieutenant of artillery in the regiment of La Fère, a kind of training school for young artillery officers. Garrisoned at Valence , Napoleon continued his education, reading much, in particular works on strategy and tactics. He also wrote Lettres sur la Corse (“Letters on Corsica”), in which he reveals his feeling for his native island. He went back to Corsica in September 1786 and did not rejoin his regiment until June 1788. By that time the agitation that was to culminate in the French Revolution had already begun. A reader of Voltaire and of Rousseau , Napoleon believed that a political change was imperative , but, as a career officer, he seems not to have seen any need for radical social reforms.

The Revolutionary period

When in 1789 the National Assembly , which had convened to establish a constitutional monarchy , allowed Paoli to return to Corsica, Napoleon asked for leave and in September joined Paoli’s group. But Paoli had no sympathy for the young man, whose father had deserted his cause and whom he considered to be a foreigner. Disappointed, Napoleon returned to France, and in April 1791 he was appointed first lieutenant to the 4th regiment of artillery, garrisoned at Valence. He at once joined the Jacobin Club , a debating society initially favouring a constitutional monarchy, and soon became its president, making speeches against nobles, monks, and bishops. In September 1791 he got leave to go back to Corsica again for three months. Elected lieutenant colonel in the national guard, he soon fell out with Paoli, its commander in chief. When he failed to return to France, he was listed as a deserter in January 1792. But in April France declared war against Austria , and his offense was forgiven.

Apparently through patronage, Napoleon was promoted to the rank of captain but did not rejoin his regiment. Instead he returned to Corsica in October 1792, where Paoli was exercising dictatorial powers and preparing to separate Corsica from France. Napoleon, however, joined the Corsican Jacobins, who opposed Paoli’s policy. When civil war broke out in Corsica in April 1793, Paoli had the Buonaparte family condemned to “perpetual execration and infamy,” whereupon they all fled to France.

Napoleon Bonaparte, as he may henceforth be called (though the family did not drop the spelling Buonaparte until after 1796), rejoined his regiment at Nice in June 1793. In his Le Souper de Beaucaire ( Supper at Beaucaire ), written at this time, he argued vigorously for united action by all republicans rallied round the Jacobins, who were becoming progressively more radical, and the National Convention , the Revolutionary assembly that in the preceding fall had abolished the monarchy.

At the end of August 1793, the National Convention’s troops had taken Marseille but were halted before Toulon , where the royalists had called in British forces. With the commander of the National Convention’s artillery wounded , Bonaparte got the post through the commissioner to the army, Antoine Saliceti, who was a Corsican deputy and a friend of Napoleon’s family. Bonaparte was promoted to major in September and adjutant general in October. He received a bayonet wound on December 16, but on the next day the British troops, harassed by his artillery, evacuated Toulon. On December 22 Bonaparte, age 24, was promoted to brigadier general in recognition of his decisive part in the capture of the town.

Augustin de Robespierre, the commissioner to the army, wrote to his brother Maximilien , by then virtual head of the government and one of the leading figures of the Reign of Terror , praising the “transcendent merit” of the young republican officer. In February 1794 Bonaparte was appointed commandant of the artillery in the French Army of Italy . Robespierre fell from power in Paris on 9 Thermidor, year II (July 27, 1794). When the news reached Nice, Bonaparte, regarded as a protégé of Robespierre, was arrested on a charge of conspiracy and treason. He was freed in September but was not restored to his command.

The following March he refused an offer to command the artillery in the Army of the West , which was fighting the counterrevolution in the Vendée . The post seemed to hold no future for him, and he went to Paris to justify himself. Life was difficult on half pay, especially as he was carrying on an affair with Désirée Clary, daughter of a rich Marseille businessman and sister of Julie, the bride of his elder brother, Joseph. Despite his efforts in Paris, Napoleon was unable to obtain a satisfactory command, because he was feared for his intense ambition and for his relations with the Montagnards , the more radical members of the National Convention . He then considered offering his services to the sultan of Turkey .

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Napoleon: A Life Paperback – Illustrated, October 20, 2015

• Print length 976 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Penguin Books
• Publication date October 20, 2015
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• Dimensions 2.3 x 6 x 8.9 inches
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• ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0143127853
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books; Reprint edition (October 20, 2015)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 976 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780143127857
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143127857
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 2.3 x 6 x 8.9 inches
• #4 in Historical France Biographies
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10 Best Books About Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte is a historical figure who has captured the imagination of generations. Whether it’s his meteoric rise to power, legendary battles, or ultimate downfall, there is no denying that Napoleon has left a lasting impact on the world. For those who are interested in learning more about this fascinating figure, there are a plethora of books available. In this article, we will explore the 10 best books about Napoleon.

The links on this page are affiliate links to Amazon. If you find value in these recommendations, please consider purchasing through these links to support this free content. We greatly appreciate it! 🙂

Why Learn About Napoleon?

Napoleon Bonaparte is one of modern history’s most iconic and influential figures. He rose from obscurity to become the ruler of France, and his conquests reshaped the political landscape of Europe. Napoleon’s story is filled with intrigue, ambition, and drama and continues to captivate historians and enthusiasts alike.

But beyond his military and political accomplishments, Napoleon’s legacy has profoundly impacted art, literature, and culture. From the epic paintings of Jacques-Louis David to the novels of Victor Hugo, Napoleon has inspired some of the greatest works of art in history. He has also been the subject of countless biographies, historical studies, and even works of fiction.

Whether you are interested in military strategy, political intrigue, or cultural history, there are many reasons to learn about Napoleon. With that in mind, let’s dive into our list of the 10 best books about Napoleon.

Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts

Andrew Roberts’ biography of Napoleon is widely considered to be one of the most comprehensive and authoritative works on the subject. Drawing on new sources and fresh research, Roberts offers a detailed and nuanced portrait of Napoleon’s life, from his early years in Corsica to his exile on St. Helena. Roberts’ writing is engaging and accessible, making this book an excellent choice for casual readers and serious scholars alike.

Napoleon the Great by Andrew Roberts

Another book by Andrew Roberts, Napoleon the Great, is a more focused study of Napoleon’s military campaigns and his impact on European history. Roberts’ writing is vivid and dramatic, bringing to life the battles, intrigues, and personalities that shaped the Napoleonic era. This book is an excellent choice for readers primarily interested in Napoleon’s military career.

The Campaigns of Napoleon by David G. Chandler

David G. Chandler’s classic study of Napoleon’s military campaigns is a must-read for anyone interested in military history. Chandler’s detailed descriptions of Napoleon’s battles and tactics are accompanied by maps and illustrations that help bring the action to life. This book is an excellent resource for students and scholars of military history, as well as casual readers who want to learn more about Napoleon’s military genius.

Napoleon Bonaparte: A Life by Alan Schom

Alan Schom’s biography of Napoleon is a gripping and engaging account of his life and career. Schom’s writing is vivid and cinematic, painting a portrait of Napoleon as a complex and dynamic figure. This book is an excellent choice for readers who want to get a sense of Napoleon’s personality, psychology, and military and political accomplishments.

Napoleon: The Path to Power by Philip Dwyer

Philip Dwyer’s three-volume biography of Napoleon is an ambitious and impressive work that covers every aspect of Napoleon’s life and career. The first volume, Napoleon: The Path to Power, explores Napoleon’s early years and his rise to prominence in the French army. Dwyer’s writing is scholarly but accessible, making this book a great choice for serious students of history.

Citizen Emperor: Napoleon in Power

The second volume of Philip Dwyer’s biography, Citizen Emperor: Napoleon in Power, is a masterful study of Napoleon’s reign as emperor of France, covering his rise to power, his transformation of French society, and his eventual downfall. Dwyer’s writing is detailed and engaging, providing a nuanced look at the complex political and social forces at work during this turbulent period of European history. This book is a great choice for readers who want to gain a deeper understanding of Napoleon’s impact on France and the world and the challenges he faced as he sought to consolidate his power.

Napoleon and His Marshals by J.T. Headley

J.T. Headley’s classic study of Napoleon and his Marshals is a detailed and engaging account of the men who served under Napoleon during his military campaigns. Headley’s writing is lively and colorful, and he provides a wealth of fascinating anecdotes and insights into the personalities and strategies of Napoleon’s top generals. This book is a great choice for readers who want to learn more about the military leaders who helped shape Napoleon’s legacy.

Napoleon: Soldier of Destiny by Michael Broers

Michael Broers’ biography of Napoleon is a fresh and engaging look at his life and career. Broers’ vivid and engaging writing offers a new perspective on Napoleon’s early years and rise to power. This book is an excellent choice for readers who want to gain a deeper understanding of Napoleon’s personality and motivations and his impact on European history.

The Napoleonic Wars: A Very Short Introduction by Mike Rapport

Mike Rapport’s concise and accessible overview of the Napoleonic Wars is an excellent introduction to this fascinating period of history. Rapport provides a clear and engaging summary of the significant events and personalities of the Napoleonic era, making this book a great choice for both casual readers and serious students of history.

Napoleon: The Man Behind the Myth by Adam Zamoyski

Adam Zamoyski’s biography of Napoleon is a fresh and insightful look at his life and legacy. Zamoyski’s writing is engaging and nuanced, providing a balanced perspective on Napoleon’s achievements and failures. This book is an excellent choice for readers who want to understand the man behind the myth and the impact he had on the world.

Whether you are a student of history, a military enthusiast, or simply someone fascinated by the life and legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte, many great books are available on this subject. From Andrew Roberts’ sweeping biographies to David G. Chandler’s detailed accounts of Napoleon’s military campaigns, there is something for every reader in our list of the 10 best books about Napoleon.

By delving into these books, readers can better understand the man who reshaped Europe and left an indelible mark on history. Whether you are looking for a comprehensive biography or a concise overview, there is a book on this list that will help you explore the fascinating world of Napoleon Bonaparte.

A Political Life

Steven Englund

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ISBN 9780674018037

Publication date: 04/30/2005

Winner of the J. Russell Major Prize, American Historical Association Best Book on the First Empire by a Foreigner, Napoleon Foundation

“Englund has written a most distinguished book recounting Bonaparte’s life with clarity and ease…This magnificent book tells us much that we did not know and gives us a great deal to think about.”—Douglas Johnson, Los Angeles Times Book Review

“Englund, in his lively biography…seeks less to rehabilitate Napoleon’s reputation and legacy than to provide readers with a fuller view of the man and his actions.”—Paula Friedman, New York Times

“ Napoleon: A Political Life is a veritable tour de force : the general reader will enjoy it immensely, and learn a great deal from it. But the book also has much to offer historians of modern France.”—Sudhir Hazareesingh, Times Literary Supplement

“Englund’s incisive forays into political theory don’t diminish the force of his narrative, which impressively conveys the epochal changes confronting both France and Europe…A strikingly argued biography.”—Matthew Price, Washington Post

This sophisticated and masterful biography brings new and remarkable analysis to the study of modern history’s most famous general and statesman. As Englund charts Napoleon’s dramatic rise and fall—from his Corsican boyhood, his French education, his astonishing military victories and no less astonishing acts of reform as First Consul (1799–1804) to his controversial record as Emperor and, finally, to his exile and death—he explores the unprecedented power Napoleon maintains over the popular imagination.

Englund’s book feature[s] brilliantly pyrotechnic prose and a keen appreciation of Napoleon’s political instincts. —David A. Bell, The Nation

Englund has written a most distinguished book recounting Bonaparte’s life with clarity and ease… This magnificent book tells us much that we did not know and gives us a great deal to think about. —Douglas Johnson, Los Angeles Times Book Review

Englund, in his lively biography…seeks less to rehabilitate Napoleon’s reputation and legacy than to provide readers with a fuller view of the man and his actions. —Paula Friedman, New York Times

Napoleon: A Political Life is a veritable tour de force : the general reader will enjoy it immensely, and learn a great deal from it. But the book also has much to offer historians of modern France. —Sudhir Hazareesingh, Times Literary Supplement

Englund’s incisive forays into political theory don’t diminish the force of his narrative, which impressively conveys the epochal changes confronting both France and Europe… A strikingly argued biography. —Matthew Price, Washington Post

Englund’s luminous prose, and, yes, his romanticism, allow him to appreciate a quality that was central to Napoleonic experience, but which has virtually disappeared from contemporary political life, namely, grandeur… By far the best biography currently available. —David A. Bell, The New Republic

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) has inspired countless films, plays and books—five biographies since 1997 alone. This one is a marvelous read, all 575 pages of it, even if you’re not a historian. As a political biography, it looks at the man’s motives rather than at the details of his battles… This is a sophisticated, often witty biography. Englund sweeps across a brilliantly crowded canvas with clarity and dash, and he enriches his own fine writing with Napoleon’s pithy aphorisms and the tart remarks of his contemporaries. —Barbara Black, Montreal Gazette

It is Napoleon’s politics, not explicitly his battles, that interest this biographer, who subtitles his study A Political Life … His is no narrow study of how those in politics operate, hang on to power, or scratch each others’ backs… All things considered, this is the best of the recent crop of Napoleonic biographies. —David P. Jordan, Journal of Modern History

• Steven Englund is a scholar of French history.

Book Details

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• Harvard University Press

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Napoleon Bonaparte

By: History.com Editors

Updated: April 24, 2023 | Original: November 9, 2009

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), also known as Napoleon I, was a French military leader and emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. Born on the island of Corsica, Napoleon rapidly rose through the ranks of the military during the French Revolution (1789-1799). After seizing political power in France in a 1799 coup d’état, he crowned himself emperor in 1804. Shrewd, ambitious and a skilled military strategist, Napoleon successfully waged war against various coalitions of European nations and expanded his empire. However, after a disastrous French invasion of Russia in 1812, Napoleon abdicated the throne two years later and was exiled to the island of Elba. In 1815, he briefly returned to power in his Hundred Days campaign. After a crushing defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, he abdicated once again and was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he died at 51.

Napoleon’s Education and Early Military Career

Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769, in Ajaccio, on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. He was the second of eight surviving children born to Carlo Buonaparte (1746-1785), a lawyer, and Letizia Romalino Buonaparte (1750-1836). Although his parents were members of the minor Corsican nobility, the family was not wealthy. The year before Napoleon’s birth, France acquired Corsica from the city-state of Genoa, Italy. Napoleon later adopted a French spelling of his last name.

As a boy, Napoleon attended school in mainland France, where he learned the French language, and went on to graduate from a French military academy in 1785. He then became a second lieutenant in an artillery regiment of the French army. The French Revolution began in 1789, and within three years revolutionaries had overthrown the monarchy and proclaimed a French republic. During the early years of the revolution, Napoleon was largely on leave from the military and home in Corsica, where he became affiliated with the Jacobins, a pro-democracy political group. In 1793, following a clash with the nationalist Corsican governor, Pasquale Paoli (1725-1807), the Bonaparte family fled their native island for mainland France, where Napoleon returned to military duty.

In France, Napoleon became associated with Augustin Robespierre (1763-1794), the brother of revolutionary leader Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794), a Jacobin who was a key force behind the Reign of Terror (1793-1794), a period of violence against enemies of the revolution. During this time, Napoleon was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the army. However, after Robespierre fell from power and was guillotined (along with Augustin) in July 1794, Napoleon was briefly put under house arrest for his ties to the brothers.

In 1795, Napoleon helped suppress a royalist insurrection against the revolutionary government in Paris and was promoted to major general.

Did you know? In 1799, during Napoleon’s military campaign in Egypt, a French soldier named Pierre Francois Bouchard (1772-1832) discovered the Rosetta Stone. This artifact provided the key to cracking the code of Egyptian hieroglyphics, a written language that had been dead for almost 2,000 years.

Napoleon’s Rise to Power

Since 1792, France’s revolutionary government had been engaged in military conflicts with various European nations. In 1796, Napoleon commanded a French army that defeated the larger armies of Austria, one of his country’s primary rivals, in a series of battles in Italy. In 1797, France and Austria signed the Treaty of Campo Formio, resulting in territorial gains for the French.

The following year, the Directory, the five-person group that had governed France since 1795, offered to let Napoleon lead an invasion of England. Napoleon determined that France’s naval forces were not yet ready to go up against the superior British Royal Navy. Instead, he proposed an invasion of Egypt in an effort to wipe out British trade routes with India. Napoleon’s troops scored a victory against Egypt’s military rulers, the Mamluks, at the Battle of the Pyramids in July 1798; soon, however, his forces were stranded after his naval fleet was nearly decimated by the British at the Battle of the Nile in August 1798. In early 1799, Napoleon’s army launched an invasion of Ottoman Empire -ruled Syria , which ended with a failed siege of Acre, located in modern-day Israel . That summer, with the political situation in France marked by uncertainty, the ever-ambitious and cunning Napoleon opted to abandon his army in Egypt and return to France.

The Coup of 18 Brumaire

In November 1799, in an event known as the coup of 18 Brumaire, Napoleon was part of a group that successfully overthrew the French Directory.

The Directory was replaced with a three-member Consulate, and 5'7" Napoleon became first consul, making him France’s leading political figure. In June 1800, at the Battle of Marengo, Napoleon’s forces defeated one of France’s perennial enemies, the Austrians, and drove them out of Italy. The victory helped cement Napoleon’s power as first consul. Additionally, with the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, the war-weary British agreed to peace with the French (although the peace would only last for a year).

Napoleon worked to restore stability to post-revolutionary France. He centralized the government; instituted reforms in such areas as banking and education; supported science and the arts; and sought to improve relations between his regime and the pope (who represented France’s main religion, Catholicism), which had suffered during the revolution. One of his most significant accomplishments was the Napoleonic Code , which streamlined the French legal system and continues to form the foundation of French civil law to this day.

In 1802, a constitutional amendment made Napoleon first consul for life. Two years later, in 1804, he crowned himself emperor of France in a lavish ceremony at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.

Napoleon’s Marriages and Children

In 1796, Napoleon married Josephine de Beauharnais (1763-1814), a stylish widow six years his senior who had two teenage children. More than a decade later, in 1809, after Napoleon had no offspring of his own with Empress Josephine, he had their marriage annulled so he could find a new wife and produce an heir. In 1810, he wed Marie Louise (1791-1847), the daughter of the emperor of Austria. The following year, she gave birth to their son, Napoleon François Joseph Charles Bonaparte (1811-1832), who became known as Napoleon II and was given the title king of Rome. In addition to his son with Marie Louise, Napoleon had several illegitimate children.

The Reign of Napoleon I

From 1803 to 1815, France was engaged in the Napoleonic Wars, a series of major conflicts with various coalitions of European nations. In 1803, partly as a means to raise funds for future wars, Napoleon sold France’s Louisiana Territory in North America to the newly independent United States for $15 million, a transaction that later became known as the Louisiana Purchase .

In October 1805, the British wiped out Napoleon’s fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar . However, in December of that same year, Napoleon achieved what is considered to be one of his greatest victories at the Battle of Austerlitz, in which his army defeated the Austrians and Russians. The victory resulted in the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the creation of the Confederation of the Rhine.

Beginning in 1806, Napoleon sought to wage large-scale economic warfare against Britain with the establishment of the so-called Continental System of European port blockades against British trade. In 1807, following Napoleon’s defeat of the Russians at Friedland in Prussia, Alexander I (1777-1825) was forced to sign a peace settlement, the Treaty of Tilsit. In 1809, the French defeated the Austrians at the Battle of Wagram, resulting in further gains for Napoleon.

During these years, Napoleon reestablished a French aristocracy (eliminated in the French Revolution) and began handing out titles of nobility to his loyal friends and family as his empire continued to expand across much of western and central continental Europe.

Napoleon’s Downfall and First Abdication

In 1810, Russia withdrew from the Continental System. In retaliation, Napoleon led a massive army into Russia in the summer of 1812. Rather than engaging the French in a full-scale battle, the Russians adopted a strategy of retreating whenever Napoleon’s forces attempted to attack. As a result, Napoleon’s troops trekked deeper into Russia despite being ill-prepared for an extended campaign.

In September, both sides suffered heavy casualties in the indecisive Battle of Borodino. Napoleon’s forces marched on to Moscow, only to discover almost the entire population evacuated. Retreating Russians set fires across the city in an effort to deprive enemy troops of supplies. After waiting a month for a surrender that never came, Napoleon, faced with the onset of the Russian winter, was forced to order his starving, exhausted army out of Moscow. During the disastrous retreat, his army suffered continual harassment from a suddenly aggressive and merciless Russian army. Of Napoleon’s 600,000 troops who began the campaign, only an estimated 100,000 made it out of Russia.

At the same time as the catastrophic Russian invasion, French forces were engaged in the Peninsular War (1808-1814), which resulted in the Spanish and Portuguese, with assistance from the British, driving the French from the Iberian Peninsula. This loss was followed in 1813 by the Battle of Leipzig , also known as the Battle of Nations, in which Napoleon’s forces were defeated by a coalition that included Austrian, Prussian, Russian and Swedish troops. Napoleon then retreated to France, and in March 1814 coalition forces captured Paris.

On April 6, 1814, Napoleon, then in his mid-40s, was forced to abdicate the throne. With the Treaty of Fontainebleau, he was exiled to Elba, a Mediterranean island off the coast of Italy. He was given sovereignty over the small island, while his wife and son went to Austria.

HISTORY Vault: Napoleon Bonaparte: The Glory of France

Explore the extraordinary life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte, the great military genius who took France to unprecedented heights of power, and then brought it to its knees when his ego spun out of control.

Hundred Days Campaign and Battle of Waterloo

On February 26, 1815, after less than a year in exile, Napoleon escaped Elba and sailed to the French mainland with a group of more than 1,000 supporters. On March 20, he returned to Paris, where he was welcomed by cheering crowds. The new king, Louis XVIII (1755-1824), fled, and Napoleon began what came to be known as his Hundred Days campaign.

Upon Napoleon’s return to France, a coalition of allies–the Austrians, British, Prussians and Russians–who considered the French emperor an enemy began to prepare for war. Napoleon raised a new army and planned to strike preemptively, defeating the allied forces one by one before they could launch a united attack against him.

In June 1815, his forces invaded Belgium, where British and Prussian troops were stationed. On June 16, Napoleon’s troops defeated the Prussians at the Battle of Ligny. However, two days later, on June 18, at the Battle of Waterloo near Brussels, the French were crushed by the British, with assistance from the Prussians.

On June 22, 1815, Napoleon was once again forced to abdicate.

Napoleon’s Final Years

In October 1815, Napoleon was exiled to the remote, British-held island of Saint Helena, in the South Atlantic Ocean. He died there on May 5, 1821, at age 51, most likely from stomach cancer. (During his time in power, Napoleon often posed for paintings with his hand in his vest, leading to some speculation after his death that he had been plagued by stomach pain for years.) Napoleon was buried on the island despite his request to be laid to rest “on the banks of the Seine, among the French people I have loved so much.” In 1840, his remains were returned to France and entombed in a crypt at Les Invalides in Paris, where other French military leaders are interred.

Napoleon Bonaparte Quotes

• “The only way to lead people is to show them a future: a leader is a dealer in hope.”
• “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”
• “Envy is a declaration of inferiority.”
• “The reason most people fail instead of succeed is they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment.”
• “If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing.”

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Biographies of Napoleon Worth Reading

I've read more than a few biographies of the Great Man, and the following I highly recommend:

Napoleon Bonaparte: An Intimate Biography by Vincent Cronin

The following is my review of the book:

"It is an excellent biography of Napoleon and is filled with excellent information on Napoleon the man and head of state, and concentrates on his civil achievements as First Consul and Emperor. It is very well sourced, and if the author's sources are checked, the reader will discover that the material is accurate as well as well-delivered.

Too many 'biographies' of Napoleon do nothing but regurgitate the old 'Corsican Ogre' theory that is based on the English and allied propaganda of the period. This volume explores Napoleon's actions, motivation, and achievements and after reading of this, Napoleon is shown to have been head and shoulders above his contemporary heads of state in Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia, who were his main antagonists from 1803-1815.

Napoleon's reforms and achievements in law, education, bringing back the Church to France, rebuilding the infrastructure of France after ten years of revolutionary upheavals, ensuring civil rights and freedom of religion as well as providing France with firm and honest government are highlighted and explained by the author. Further, Napoleon's personality and strong character definitely come through in the narrative provided and whet the appetite for more research into the matter.

The most outstanding facet of the book, however, is the appendix which is a critique of various memoirs of the period on Napoleon. Those that are fairly accurate are pointed out, and those that defamed Napoleon to facilitate the personal aggrandizement of the memoir writer at Napoleon's expense are revealed. It is an outstanding guide to further study.

This is the best biography done in the last forty years and this viewpoint, a fair one, is being continued in the recent outstanding biographies on Napoleon by Andrew Roberts and Michael Broers, which are also highly recommended. This volume, however, is the starting point. The critics of this volume are critical because the book is sympathetic to Napoleon, which is an absolutely ridiculous position to take. Good history, well-researched should be the goal, and this volume is excellent history."

Napoleon the Great by Andrew Roberts:

"NOW A MAJOR BBC2 TV SERIES AWARDED THE PRIX DU JURY DES GRANDS PRIX DE LA FONDATION NAPOLÉON 2014 From Andrew Roberts, author of the Sunday Times bestseller The Storm of War, this is the definitive modern biography of Napoleon. Napoleon Bonaparte lived one of the most extraordinary of all human lives. In the space of just twenty years, from October 1795 when as a young artillery captain he cleared the streets of Paris of insurrectionists, to his final defeat at the (horribly mismanaged) battle of Waterloo in June 1815, Napoleon transformed France and Europe. After seizing power in a coup d'état he ended the corruption and incompetence into which the Revolution had descended. In a series of dazzling battles he reinvented the art of warfare; in peace, he completely remade the laws of France, modernised her systems of education and administration, and presided over a flourishing of the beautiful 'Empire style' in the arts. The impossibility of defeating his most persistent enemy, Great Britain, led him to make draining and ultimately fatal expeditions into Spain and Russia, where half a million Frenchmen died and his Empire began to unravel. More than any other modern biographer, Andrew Roberts conveys Napoleon's tremendous energy, both physical and intellectual, and the attractiveness of his personality, even to his enemies. He has walked 53 of Napoleon's 60 battlefields, and has absorbed the gigantic new French edition of Napoleon's letters, which allows a complete re-evaluation of this exceptional man. He overturns many received opinions, including the myth of a great romance with Josephine: she took a lover immediately after their marriage, and, as Roberts shows, he had three times as many mistresses as he acknowledged. Of the climactic Battle of Leipzig in 1813, as the fighting closed around them, a French sergeant-major wrote, 'No-one who has not experienced it can have any idea of the enthusiasm that burst forth among the half-starved, exhausted soldiers when the Emperor was there in person. If all were demoralised and he appeared, his presence was like an electric shock. All shouted "Vive l'Empereur!" and everyone charged blindly into the fire.' The reader of this biography will understand why this was so."

Napoleon: Soldier of Destiny by Michael Broers

"All previous lives of Napoleon have relied more on the memoirs of others than on his own uncensored words. This is the first life of Napoleon, in any language, that makes full use of his newly released personal correspondence compiled by the Napoléon Foundation in Paris. All previous lives of Napoleon have relied more on the memoirs of others than on his own uncensored words. Michael Broers' biography draws on the thoughts of Napoleon himself as his incomparable life unfolded. It reveals a man of intense emotion, but also of iron self-discipline; of acute intelligence and immeasurable energy. Tracing his life from its dangerous Corsican roots, through his rejection of his early identity, and the dangerous military encounters of his early career, it tells the story of the sheer determination, ruthlessness, and careful calculation that won him the precarious mastery of Europe by 1807. After the epic battles of Austerlitz, Jena and Friedland, France was the dominant land power on the continent. Here is the first biography of Napoleon in which this brilliant, violent leader is evoked to give the reader a full, dramatic, and all-encompassing portrait."

Napoleon: The Spirit of the Age by Michael Broers

"Like volume one of Michael Broers's magnificent biography, The Spirit of the Age is based on the new version of Napoleon's correspondence, made available by the Fondation Napoléon in Paris. It is the story of Napoleon's conquest of Europe—and that of his magnificent Grande Armée—as they sweep through the length and breadth of Europe. This narrative opens with Napoleon's as yet untested army making its way through the Bavarian Alps in the early winter of 1805 to fall upon the unsuspecting Austrians and Russians at Austerlitz. This was only the beginning of a series of spectacular victories over the Prussians and Russians over the next two years. The chronicle then follows the army into Spain, in 1808, the most ill-considered step in Napoleon's career as ruler, and then through the most daunting triumph of all, the final defeat of Austria at Wagram, in 1809, the bloodiest battle in European history up to that time."

Napoleon by Andre Castelot

"André Castelot was a French writer born in Belgium who wrote 65 biographies of famous persons in the History of France. He is perhaps best known for his biography of Josephine. His biography of Napoleon emphasizes not only his military campaigns, but his many love affairs and his many mistresses. It shows how his tumultuous relationship with Josephine influenced and affected his Napoleonic Code. It was because of Josephine's fickleness and unfaithfulness to Napoleon that Napoleon decreed that all women upon leaving their father's houses and entering into matrimony must understand that henceforth they are to be under the control of their husbands. Women cannot be trusted to be free, said Napoleon. Yet, Napoleon was easily influenced by women. On page 299 is recounted an incident where his Governor of Berlin had committed an act of treason, and had been arrested and faced death. Then, the man's wife, who was expecting a child, came and threw herself at the feet of Napoleon, begging forgiveness. With that, Napoleon ordered the man's release, something that Napoleon did not often do. Throughout this book, there are discussions of Napoleon's relationships with women, including his fears that he could not father a child or that a child who had been born was not really his."

@Kevin F. Kiley even poorly written memoirs contain verifiable facts and data points. Sources that are “credible” (not a black and white binary description I like to use, I find such thinking a symptom of a rigid and inflexible mindset) even they contain errors. That’s why footnotes are so important in secondary works rather than long florid passages of hyperbole and praise which usually characterises hagiography. So let’s analyse the effect of removing Bourrienne and Marmont would be: Criteria 1 (Grandiose self-importance) we lose 2 data points of 5, but it remains well evidenced Criteria 2 (fantasies of unlimited success etc) One data point lost. Still stands. Criteria 3 (belief of special) No effect. Still stands. Criteria 5. (Sense of entitlement) Two data points lost out of 6 but sufficient evidence found. Criteria 6. (Interpersonally exploitative) 3 lost out of 6 quoted, but an additional 36 considered so was still the easiest to discern. Criteria 7. (Lacks empathy) 4 of the 8 quoted used Bourrienne but 40 additional passages also supported it. Criteria 9 (Arrogance) 3 out of the 8 quoted sources lost and with over 80 additional points means the criteria stands. As only 5 are needed it seems that even if 100% of the data from these sources are spurious, it does not support reversing of the clinical opinion. There is therefore no material effect. All data quoted is from ‘The Spirit and the Sword’ pages 20-33

Agreed @Zack White but the demonising comment came before he mentioned Dwyer, and I specifically asked for a response that distanced us from it. The conflation of metal health and demons is biblical and medieval. Are we to suffer it to continue to exist in the 21st century? All evil requires to prosper is that good men do nothing.

As the comment has since been contextualised (ie Tom has explained that he was referring to Philip Dwyer's work, and therefore was not making slurs in relation to mental health), I am satisfied that there is no conflation. There are no evil individuals here, and none with evil intent.

If you would like an official position from me as site manager, I can reassure that any attempts to denigrate the serious nature of mental health disorders with derogatory, dismissive, or belittling comments will receive a suitable response from in line with forum rules on acceptable conduct. Put another way, there is not place for them here.

I hope that allays your concerns. Feel free to contact me directly if you would like to discuss further.

As ever Zack, I bow to your wise words. This matter is closed from my point of view. I happen to believe that knowing how sometimes Napoleon was helped but also occasionally hindered by his condition actually leads to a more sympathetic view of him. Many thanks

I'm becoming a bit weary of the "glorification" of Ed Coss as the be-all-and-end-all of the alleged psychoanalysis of Napoleon. I also think the attempt to analyze any historical figure, particularly those who have been dead for several centuries, is an exercise in ridiculousness and produces nothing but psychobabble, a word I am quite fond of because it applies to quit a few folks writing these days. I already posted several weeks ago exactly what I thought of Coss, and I won't repeat it. However, I also said I thought Napoleon had a streak of narcissism a mile wide, plus a couple of other issues, but guess what? I figured that out all by myself by reading lots and lots of books, articles, manuscripts, and other document over decades and in English, French, German, and Spanish. I didn't need some man with a Ph.D. from OHU--I have one from FSU--to tell me that he thought Naps has serious mental issues.

At the end of the day, I second Hans-Karl's opinion that most of the Brit-centric folks who loathe Napoleon are missing out on an opportunity to expand their dislike because they can't read German or Dutch or Russian, or even French. And while Dwyer is a good author to read if you want the opposite of hagiography, he is a sloppy historian. One does not deliberately cherry-pick one's sources to support a theory already firmly developed before the research even begins. The same applies to those who really, really like Napoleon.

Let's move on from Coss, shall we? He is a historian, not a scientist nor a mental health professional. He simply presented one of several papers at an inaugural conference; he did not invent the wheel. And as for an "eye-opening" view of Napoleon's alleged mental health, I would agree that it is, but not in the laudatory manner I believe was meant here.

Indeed, my point all over again, but I say it is comforting, at least for me, that others, from a different point of view - come to the same conclusion.

@Kevin F. Kiley

What faulty research material? Please read Maggie Scotts contribution and conclusions - do you accuse her of faulty research??

@Hans - Karl Weiß That's enough - we both know that Kevin is referring to his assessments of Ed's research, which were the subject of an ugly discussion earlier this week. As Maggie suggests, it is worthwhile moving the conversation on.

@tomholmberg I appreciate your ‘if the cap fits wear it’ style, however saying someone may have faced mental health challenges is not demonising. For the sake of mental health stigma in the here and now, I must ask you to either withdraw or explain please.

@tomholmberg I don’t think history forums should be a haven for mental health bigots or ableist assertions. Are you specifically prepared to refute a connection between a scientific discussion of mental health and accusations of demonisation? I think we need to put an air gap between the enlightened and those who still see mental health in pejorative, negative and discriminatory light. It’s a binary choice ultimately @tomholmberg , there are no degrees of bigotry. That’s conclusion silence brings though, if we don’t stand together for everyone who experienced or experiences mental health challenges. That includes Napoleon who is as entitled as anyone else to our empathy and compassion.

@david Tomlinson It seems to me that this situation is the product of something having got lost in proverbial translation. As @tomholmberg has explained above, his comments on demonisation relate to his opinion of Philip Dwyer's work, and does not appear from what has been said, to amount to any denial of the importance of respecting the importance and seriousness of mental health disorders. The discussion regarding Ed Coss's eye-opening work is a separate matter.

So all above cited biographies of Kevin Kiley are worthwhile to read because they fawn Nabulieone?

I find most biographies a waste of time there you only read the bias of the author.

I see - that even that of Tulard it not even mentioned.

My favourite though is

Presser, Jacques : Napoleon - Da Leben und die Legende

other then the usual boney fawning blurb of Cronin here a cirtical evaluation.

A pity that the best biography, in my view, that of Presser is only available in Dutch and German, there in case you are no Anglophone and don't publish in Anglospeak, such works are ignored.

I find Patrice Gueniffey's "Bonaparte" very interesting, even if only the years 1769 to 1802 are dealt with so far. With over 1000 pages, the work is very detailed and balanced in my opinion. I hope that Gueniffey will add another book on the Empire over the next few years.

On the old Napoleon Series from 2017, examination of one specific topic did reveal that, in his Napoleon biography at any rate, Professor Roberts' attitude to providing valid references in support of his narrative was somewhat cavalier. On a single page, not one footnote bore any relation to the assertion to which it was attached, let alone support it. Something of an eye opener. I seem to remember that in that regard Vincent Cronin did not come out of it too well, either, although at least he did not cite Dr. Ibid.

The only problem with Vincent Cronin's biography is that it is sympathetic to Napoleon and we cannot have that, now can we?

Kevin, I’m afraid I’m rather ridiculous therefore, as I prefer biography to hagiography. My copy of Cronin was swiftly donated after reading to Oxfam, as I foresaw little utility in it’s retention. I haven’t found I’ve missed it. I’ve retained Roberts and Broers, because being a little newer they have more references and up to date research. I tend not to agree with many conclusions though. As the 100 days are my main area of interest, I’m looking forward Broers next instalments in his series. I suppose it would be difficult to write a biography about someone you disliked, so many biographers tend to be at least sympathetic, if not positive. We should also face commercial facts: hagiography sells! The problem I face is that I’m interested in Napoleon the man, not so much the legend and legacy. These only give glimpses. The fact that they at best excuse, but often just ignore Napoleon’s narcissistic personality disorder makes them too selective for my liking. That’s like writing about Louis XVIII and not mentioning his weight problem. Zack Thank you for the Dwyer recommendations. I’ll make the effort to broaden my horizons. I’m a skeptic when it comes to the legend and legacy but I try to keep at least a semblance of balance. As Napoleon appears to be the most written about individual outside of theology, I’m sure the debate will rumble on long after we are all gone!

@david Tomlinson

Yes - I agree absolutely

@Hans - Karl Weiß

First, as already shown, Napoleon did not write the Civil Code, four lawyers did and then it was debated in the Council of State in over 100 sessions, of which Napoleon presided in more than half.

And, again, Napoleon governed by the rule of law and was a constitutional monarch. He was not, by definition, a tyrant.

As for Great Britain, the parliament was corrupt: Napoleon rooted out corruption and created an organization of auditors to investigate high-level corruption (Bourrienne was sacked from Hamburg because of corrupt activities). How many ministers in the British government were sacked for corruption? Both Fouche and Talleyrand were sacked for corruption, with dabbling in treason thrown in for good measure.

It is illogical to accept the writings of French memoir-writers who were either ghost-written and grossly inaccurate, or written to curry favor with the returning Bourbons, and the only criteria for acceptance is that you agree with it because of being against Napoleon and his government. And employing those suspect memoirs in order to prove something against Napoleon invalidates the suspect study.

@Hans - Karl Weiß Why did you post the Wikipedia blurb on Presser more than once?

It's on this thread three times. Aren't you continually mentioning that material is repeated in your opinion?

I would respectfully submit the suggestion that, even if only to ensure variety in one's reading diet, some Philip Dwyer would be useful.

(He says fully expecting to jumped on by those who aren't a fan of the anti-Napoleon interpretation). 😉🤣

Tracing a French regiment of the line

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The past is never dead, it isn’t even past

Six of the Best: Books on Napoleon

Oliver Webb-Carter

With Ridley Scott’s new movie, Napoleon, out soon and starring Joaquin Phoenix as Bonaparte and Vanessa Kirby as Josephine, much discussion has been prompted over its historical accuracy. If your interest is peaked then you must check out these six books on the Corsican Ogre/Greatest Frenchman (delete as appropriate). Scott has caused much consternation among historians who have taken his comments to heart, so if you want to find out the truth, or their truth, you could do worse than one, or all, of the following titles that cover so many aspects of his extraordinary life.

Napoleon the Great , Andrew Roberts

‘Fighting is a soldier’s religion’ said Napoleon and he was first and foremost a soldier. If Andrew Roberts’ Napoleon & Wellington was an enjoyable read for the two great commanders who only met in battle once but never met, with Nosey the victor thereby ensuring his greatness in Britain forever, then perhaps it’s a surprise to read Roberts so enthusiastic about Napoleon in making his demand that he be known as ‘Great’. Whilst positive this is no hagiography, and if you’re looking for an all-encompassing biography then this should be your start. Napoleon was both a brilliant general and ruler, not something the Duke could claim. The descriptions of the various conquests are thrilling, and in Napoleon the Great we understand exactly why he is important to modern day Europe.

Napoleon: A Life in Gardens & Shadows , Ruth Scurr

Did you know Napoleon was fascinated by horticulture from a young age? Ruth Scurr has written an incredibly moving and original biography focussing on how nature was important to him in providing order in a life that saw the chaos of the French Revolution, countless bloody battles of carnage and ultimate disaster then solitude in the middle of the Atlantic. As Ridley reminded us there have been many books written, but it’s quite an achievement to produce a work in 2021 that really does break new ground – we are taken to the gardens of his youth in Corsica to Paris, Malmaison, Egypt and even to the walled garden at Hougoumont, Waterloo and finally his St. Helena exile arranging plants much as he did troops on countless battlefields.

1812: Napoleon’s Fatal March on Moscow , Adam Zamoyski

The march into Russia is well-known to be Napoleon’s greatest blunder, but Adam Zamoyski’s 2004 1812 is rare for its exhaustive description of the disaster using diaries and accounts of the army from Croats, Dutch, Prussians, Poles, Spaniards and Italians as well as French and Russians. Zamoyski’s narrative grips you as he describes the freezing winter conditions, with the summers no better as the sun beat down on troops marching in collapsing footware, thick woollen coats and all the time attacked by swarms of ravenous horse-flies. Napoleon was not at his best for this campaign, most notably with costly mistakes at Borodino, but the reader can understand his rage at subordinates incapable of reaching his own grand heights. A remarkable book.

Josephine , Kate Williams

Biographies of the great commander Napoleon naturally attract male historians, but to understand the man you have to understand the woman he loved, and in Kate Williams’ Josephine we get the female perspective in a gorgeous biography. Josephine was glamourous, skilled in diplomacy and utterly charming. One can see why the two were captivated, though this is no male dominated relationship – one only has to read of their wedding night when Josephine’s pug won an important victory over Bonaparte and secured the first night alone with her.

Napoleon in Egypt , Paul Strathern

When Napoleon arrived in Egypt aged only 28 he had dreams of emulating Alexander the Great, crossing Asia to reach India, and to bring the enlightenment and western civilisation to the ancient land. Nelson thwarted his ambitions by defeating his navy at the Nile, not for the first time, and so when he left his army had suffered defeat, he was confined to Egypt and it was his legion of scientists and artists that had been educated. Paul Strathern’s account of the ultimately disastrous adventure is a thrilling read and once you’ve read this, your eyebrow will be raised at Ridley Scott’s reason for Bonaparte’s departure.

Black Spartacus , Sudhir Hazeerasingh

The impression one gets from many sympathetic to Napoleon was that he was, in some way, an island of progressivism among a sea of reactionaries. Leaving aside the fact he crowned himself emperor, his re-imposition of slavery on the island of Haiti, and his disgraceful treatment of the great Toussaint Louverture certainly leave major question marks over his legacy. In Sudhir Hazeerasingh’s wonderful Black Spartacus , we see the Haitian Revolution through the eyes of the oppressed, as they go up against the mighty European powers of Spain, Britain and France – and win, even if eventual defeat led to a sad end for Louverture in Napoleonic France.

…and for some historical fiction

Sharpe’s Waterloo , Bernard Cornwell

Fans of Richard Sharpe will know he met Napoleon while travelling to South America in Sharpe’s Devil , but at Waterloo Cornwell describes the battle brilliantly as Sharpe and Harper move around the Allied lines as they faced the French army for the ultimate showdown between Wellington and Bonaparte. Boney came off second best and he underestimated the Duke, and perhaps more importantly the discipline and accuracy of the British volley fire as they wreaked havoc on his beloved Imperial Guard. Napoleon is present but does not appear and Cornwell manages convey the sense of awe he inspired in his opponents, let alone in his own devoted troops.

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6 Best Napoleon Books of All Time

Our goal : Find the best Napoleon books according to the internet (not just one random person's opinion).

• Type "best napoleon books" into our search engine and study the top 5+ pages.
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• Rank the results neatly for you here! 😊 (It was a lot of work. But hey! That's why we're here, right?)

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

• Best Napoleon Books

Andrew Roberts

The Campaigns of Napoleon

David G. Chandler

A Biography

Duff Cooper

Rites of Peace

The fall of napoleon and the congress of vienna.

Adam Zamoyski

The Path to Power

Philip Dwyer

With Eagles to Glory

Napoleon and his german allies in the 1809 campaign.

John H Gill

• ‘Napoleon: A Life,’ by Andrew Roberts - The New York Times www.nytimes.com
• Napoleon Bonaparte and the Napoleonic Wars, by the Books explorethearchive.com
• The Best Books About Napoleon Bonaparte And The Napoleonic Wars - Book Scrolling www.bookscrolling.com
• The Best Books on Napoleon - Five Books Expert Recommendations fivebooks.com
• Top Ten Books on Napoleon Bonaparte - DailyHistory.org dailyhistory.org

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Napoleon and Josephine Had a Stormy and Unfaithful 13-Year Marriage

The relationship of the French emperor and empress is featured prominently in the 2023 movie Napoleon , starring Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby.

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Now streaming on Apple TV+, the movie stars Joaquin Phoenix as the infamous military commander Bonaparte and Vanessa Kirby as Josephine, his first wife. As the name implies, Napoleon focuses heavily on Bonaparte’s own legacy, from his early success on the battlefield to his eventual downfall and exile.

However, his 13-year union with Josephine was compelling in its own way, as well as a key part of the famed leader’s life and the new movie. Among other things, the couple argued over money and experienced a prolonged struggle to produce an heir. Ultimately, these hardships drove them apart and led them both to rather unsatisfying fates.

Josephine had a humble upbringing

More than three decades before she met and received her now famous name from Napoleon, Josephine was born Marie-Joseph-Rose Tascher de la Pagerie on June 23, 1763, on the Tros-Îlets plantation in Martinique (the eastern Caribbean island is now a formal French territory overseas). Originally called Rose for short or affectionately Yeyette, she was the eldest daughter of Joseph Gaspard de Tascher, a sugar planter, and Rose-Claire Des Vergers de Sannois.

According to Ernest John Knapton’s 1963 book Empress Josephine , the future empress resided with her family in the plantation’s sugar refinery after a hurricane destroyed their home and killed 440 people in 1766. Despite her unremarkable home, Josephine enjoyed island life and the colorful birds and plants that surrounded her.

When she was 10 years old, her parents sent her to a convent in the capital city of Fort-de-France to receive an education. They weren’t concerned about their daughter’s own enrichment but rather wanted to make her a suitable partner for marrying into a rich family. In December 1779, that plan came to fruition when Joseph escorted a 16-year-old Josephine to France for her marriage to Alexandre de Beauharnais.

The couple lived in the Paris suburbs and had two children: a son named Eugéne in 1781 and a daughter named Hortense in 1783. However, their relationship quickly soured, and they separated in 1785, with Josephine eventually taking her daughter back to Martinique and Alexandre taking custody of Eugéne.

Josephine met Napoleon after avoiding the guillotine

Josephine returned to France with Hortense in 1790 following the start of the French Revolution and a related slave revolt in Martinique. There, she reconnected with Alexandre, as they never officially divorced. He was a successful politician by this time and rose to lead the Constituent Assembly in 1791 before assuming a leadership position in the army.

Three years later, he and Josephine were both arrested amid the Reign of Terror. He was executed by guillotine, and Josephine awaited her death as well. Luckily, she was spared following the overthrow and execution of Maximilien de Robespierre .

Left with no income and two children to care for, Josephine found a friend in socialite Thérésa Cabarrus. The latter introduced Josephine to an aspiring general named Napoleon Bonaparte at a party in 1795. While he was quickly smitten and proposed by January 1796, Josephine didn’t exactly give a glowing endorsement of her new beau— pointing out he was “silent and awkward with women” as well as “altogether strange in all his person.”

However, she ultimately saw the social and financial advantages Napoleon’s growing prestige could provide and agreed to his proposal. They were married in a civil ceremony on March 9, 1796, but the honeymoon would have to wait. Two days later, Napoleon departed for his first military campaign through Italy.

Infidelity and family tension marked their marriage

Although Josephine benefitted financially from her husband’s conquests on the battlefield, their long separations produced immediate tension in the relationship. Both she and Napoleon engaged in extramarital affairs , and Napoleon had at least two children out of wedlock by 1810.

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Josephine also spent money freely, angering Napoleon. She threw lavish parties at the Tuileries Palace and built a wardrobe of the finest clothes. In 1799, she purchased their Malmaison home near Paris and transformed it with beautiful rose gardens and exotic animals like kangaroos and ostriches. Although Napoleon often confronted Josephine over their bills, her charm and public perception ultimately assuaged him. “I win battles, but Josephine wins hearts,” he said .

Still, despite their trysts and disagreements, it’s clear Napoleon cared for Josephine very much. He lamented their lack of correspondence in his letters from the battlefield. “I cannot even drink a cup of tea without cursing the glory and the ambition which keep me apart from the soul of my existence,” he once wrote .

Napoleon also attempted to unite the Bonaparte and Beauharnais families, adopting Eugéne and allowing his brother Louis to marry his stepdaughter Hortense. At his coronation as emperor in 1804, he insisted on being the one to crown his wife empress—a public show of support in the midst of mounting pressure from his own relatives to split with Josephine.

Josephine couldn’t give Napoleon an heir

The resentment of the Bonaparte family stemmed primarily from Josephine’s inability to bear them children and, thus, an heir. Knowing it could ultimately lead to the end of their marriage, she felt this burden as well.

According to O&G Magazine , a desperate Josephine traveled to the spa town of Plombières in modern day Belgium in 1798 at the suggestion of Napoleon’s doctor. Her sister-in-law had done the same and became pregnant with a daughter after six years of infertility. But despite multiple visits, Josephine never experienced such a reversal of fortune.

Once Napoleon was crowned emperor in 1804, he also grew more impatient with her infertility. Finally in November 1809, he informed his wife of his desire for a separation. Josephine begrudgingly agreed, and their marriage was officially annulled weeks later on December 15.

Despite their often contentious union, Napoleon promised to safeguard Josephine’s future. “I want her to keep the rank and title of empress, but I definitely do not want her to doubt my feelings and want her always to consider me as her best and dearest friend,” he said, according to the Foundation Napoleon .

Josephine settled down for good at Malmaison, making improvements to the house, tending to the gardens, and expanding her art collection.

Josephine and Napoleon cared for each other until death

According to PBS , Napoleon, now about 40 years old, immediately began searching for a new wife. His ideal candidate was Anna Pavlovna, the 15-year-old sister of Russian Tsar Alexander I. But after his proposal was met with delays and excuses, he instead chose Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria due largely to political motivations. Despite the 19-year-old Marie-Louise’s initial fears and objections— she wrote in her diary that simply seeing Napoleon would be “the worst form of torture”—she married him in a civil ceremony in April 1810.

Within a year, Marie-Louise gave birth to an heir, Napoleon II, who received the title king of Rome. Still, Napoleon kept his promise to Josephine, continuing to write her letters and sometimes showing up unannounced to see her—sparking jealousy in his new wife.

At Malmaison, Josephine followed the deteriorating state of her ex-husband’s rule, with Russia and its allies invading France in 1814. She didn’t see Napoleon before he went into exile following Paris’ quick surrender.

She also didn’t live to see much of the aftermath. She died from pneumonia at age 51 on May 29, 1814. According to Kate Williams’ book Ambition and Desire: The Dangerous Life of Josephine Bonaparte , her maid believed she “died of grief” over Napoleon’s fall.

Napoleon shortly returned to power in 1815 but was quickly exiled again—this time by the British—to the remote island of Saint Helena that same year. There he surrounded himself with photos of Josephine, even eating off plates with her likeness on them. He apparently thought of her up until his final moments, uttering her name as his final word before his death on May 5, 1821.

Although their relationship was flawed in many ways, it’s clear Napoleon and Josephine developed a mutual fondness that outlasted their marriage—making their eventual fates all the more tragic.

Watch Napoleon Now on Apple TV+

Co-star Vanessa Kirby expressed her enthusiasm for being able to tell Josephine’s story on the big screen. “It was difficult in many ways to be the feminine in that extremely masculine world, and she did such an amazing job of remaining dignified to the end,” she told Variety .

Watch Joaquin Phoenix and Kirby’s unique interpretation of the infamous couple—and all their ups and downs—now that Napoleon is streaming on Apple TV+ and available to buy through Prime Video and Vudu .

Tyler Piccotti first joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor in February 2023, and before that worked almost eight years as a newspaper reporter and copy editor. He is a graduate of Syracuse University. When he's not writing and researching his next story, you can find him at the nearest amusement park, catching the latest movie, or cheering on his favorite sports teams.

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Den of Geek

The Real History of Napoleon’s Greatest Victory Didn’t Happen Like in the Movie

Ridley Scott’s Napoleon features some amazing battle sequences, but it might fall into French propaganda when it comes to depicting Napoleon’s greatest triumph.

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This article contains spoilers for Ridley Scott’s Napoleon .

Even in the first trailer, it is an immensely chilly spectacle. On a frozen field in central Europe, Napoleon Bonaparte, the supreme general and Emperor of France, holds the high ground. From a well-fortified and concealed position among many trees, his army has laid a perfect trap for the forces of the Austrian and Russian empires. And from their embankment, they watch coolly as the enemy blunders right into a massacre.

In the ensuing chaos, thousands of men, horses, and rolling cannons attempt to flee the thunderous crack of Napoleon’s artillery, but to no avail. Spotting a weakness as the Russian army desperately tries to retreat across a frosted lake, Napoleon has his cannons aim directly at the ice. Man and beast alike cry in agony as the white mirror beneath their feet cracks, and a frigid, horrifying death rushes up to swallow them whole in subzero waters.

Under Ridley Scott ’s direction, the full breadth of this horror is felt by the film and Joaquin Phoenix ’s steely gaze. We as an audience are asked to bear witness as a single Russian officer, carrying his nation’s flag, desperately attempts to outrace the collapsing ice on his horse, the two seemingly being the last living souls who oppose Napoleon’s dominance. As that flag waves meekly in a sunless sky, Napoleon’s final cannon finds its target, and horse and rider both go crashing down into the darkness that awaits. They’ll never be seen again as the camera follows their descent into the abyss, the ice above becoming a vast coffin’s lid.

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It’s absolutely terrifying. Here is the grisly punctuation mark on Napoleon’s greatest victory: a catastrophic slaughter of his greatest continental opponents, and a declaration for good and all (or at least the next handful of years) that Napoleon alone is Master of Europe! This is how Napoleon’s armies chronicled the devastating final moments for tens of thousands of Russians (if not more) who met the French general outside of a little town called Austerlitz on Dec. 2, 1805, and it is how Napoleon’s last reigning triumph is remembered still—as evidenced by no less than it being a centerpiece sequence in a Ridley Scott movie.

The aforementioned trailer even ends with Napoleon’s voiceover smirking, “I’m the first to admit when I make a mistake. I simply never do.” For those who know anything about the history of the Napoleonic Wars, the line is deeply ironic considering the French emperor’s later exploits in Russia or on the fields of Waterloo. However, whether intentionally or not, how the sequence itself is dramatized in Napoleon could be a mistake… at least according to modern scholarship and historians.

The Battle of Austerlitz and Napoleon Triumphant

Scott’s Napoleon is right to bask in what was one of the most impressive showcases of Napoleon’s tactical brilliance. For on this day, the French ruler soundly defeated the Austrians and Russians at the same time, despite the other empires having the greater numbers. Often romanticized in the 19th century as “The Battle of the Three Emperors,” Austerlitz was a climax of sorts to the most concerted effort yet by France’s enemies to curtail Napoleon’s ambitions and ever expanding tendrils.

The culmination of what is also known as The War of the Third Coalition, the Battle of Austerlitz occurred after the Allied forces of Great Britain, the Austrian Empire, the Russian Empire, Naples, Sicily, and Sweden rallied to war following, among other things, Napoleon’s encroachments into the Italian and Germanic lands, and his ordering the execution of Duke of Enghien in 1804. As a consequence, battles were fought that determined the fate of Europe for the next century (although not necessarily on land, but more on that later…).

To narrow this to just the sequence in the film, Napoleon is correct to depict the Battle of Austerlitz, which occurred in what is the modern day Czech Republic, as a brutally effective trap sprung by the French emperor against his enemies. Prior to the battle, Napoleon attempted to cultivate a false sense of security in the far larger Austro-Russian army. This was achieved by seeding false information that Napoleon’s men were starving and demoralized with the coming of winter; he also seemingly weakened his position on the land near the town of Austerlitz, known as Pratzen Heights, thereby suggesting the French were abandoning their positions. He even resorted to play-acting for the Russian envoy Prince Peter Petrovich Dolgorukov the month before the battle. Reportedly during a meeting with the Russian princeling, Napoleon affected nervous facial tics which were intended to suggest that the French emperor was terrified of his Russian opponents.

On the morning of Dec. 2, his enemies, urged on by an overconfident and tactical novice in Tsar Alexander I, took the bait and descended on what they assumed to be abandoned positions along Pratzen Heights. In actuality, Napoleon had divided his forces among a handful of generals in concealed locations around the trap, and the French cut the Austro-Russian army to pieces.

While the War of the Third Coalition limped on into 1806, it was effectively over when a humiliated Austria signed a peace treaty with France on Dec. 26—after Napoleon actually really did mock the Austrian general by offering him French wine following the slaughter at Austerlitz, which left anywhere between 16,000 and 36,000 Allied soldiers dead. By comparison the French only lost 9,000 soldiers.

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So What’s the Story with the Ice?

Napoleon’s victory over the Austro-Russian forces that December was total. And the way it was canonized by the likes of French general Adolphe Marbot was even more impressive. Marbot provided one of the earliest, and most influential, accounts of Russian forces fleeing in a panic across a series of frozen ponds only to be sent to a watery grave. “Thousands of Russians, with their horses, guns, and wagons, slowly settled down into the depths,” Marbot said.

So convincing were these accounts, that it became the accepted wisdom of what happened that day when the history was written by the final victors of the Napoleonic Wars: the British and their assorted allies and sympathetic associates. Consider American historian John Stevens Cabot Abbott’s influential multi-volume biography on Bonaparte, The History of Napoleon Bonaparte , first published between 1855 and 1856. In this account, Abbott wrote:

“A division of the ruined army, consisting of many thousand men and horse, sought to escape by crossing, with artillery and cavalry, a frozen lake which adjoined their line of march. The surface began to yield beneath the enormous load, when a few balls and shells from the French batteries broke the ice, and the whole mass was plunged into the freezing waves. A fearful cry, resounding above the roar of battle, ascended from the lake, as the frantic waves closed silently over them all, and those unhappy victims were sepulchered forever.”

Even Tsar Alexander I allegedly later confessed to other aristocrats in Vienna in 1814 that he watched helplessly as 20,000 Russians died beneath the frozen ponds. Twenty thousand!  

For nearly a century, this became the accepted version of events until historians a century later began to wonder… if 20,000 or more Russians and their horses fell beneath frozen lakes… wouldn’t they have left behind a spectacularly garish spectacle when the lakes thawed the following spring?

Hence why there was so much interest when Oxford historian and Napoleonic skeptic Reginald L. Poole rejected this story as nothing more than French propaganda in an influential article published in The English Historical Review in 1902. In Poole’s research, he discovered that accounts of the weather in the local Oberamtmann newspaper in early December 1805 reported the ice was relatively thin, so it was unlikely to support a full army in retreat. Poole also discovered that on Napoleon’s orders, the French army drained the lakes within a few days of the battles, whereupon the recorded discoveries found between 28 and 30 cannons, the corpses of 150 horses, and only two or three human bodies. Furthermore, in the century that passed, no more human remains, remnants of cannon fire, or any other weapons of war were ever discovered around the lakes in question.

Poole persuasively argued that if the ice did break, it only occurred as soldiers were fleeing around the edges of the frozen bodies of water, likely recognizing they were too thin to cross over, and when the ice broke, the few who were on the outskirts were mostly able to escape unharmed (unlike their horses).

In the century since this article, historians have continued to quibble over the number, with many now debating that the total number of soldiers who died in the water could have been anywhere between 38 men to a few hundred. Some even erroneously still insist it might’ve been a few thousand—but not 20,000. So why exaggerate the spectacular slaughter of Russians?

Because if you saw the movie Napoleon , you know it is a staggeringly dramatic and visceral way to smite your enemies! And in the winter of 1805/6, Napoleon needed to remind the French citizens at home of his power—and possibly to raise their spirits at the thoughts of Russian soldiers crying as the ice slams over their heads.

While the Battle of Austerlitz was decisive in cementing Napoleon’s status as the most powerful man in continental Europe, it came only after an equally decisive—and ultimately longer lasting—defeat at sea. On Oct. 21, 1805, the British Royal Navy masterfully and completely demolished the combined fleets of the French and Spanish navies at the Battle of Trafalgar. As a consequence, Great Britain cemented itself as the unrivaled master of the seas around Europe. As Napoleon himself is attributed to have said, the power of Europe was divided between the whale (Britain) and the elephant (France).

The War of the Third Coalition was over, but the conflict between these two great monsters was destined to continue. So any morale-boosting story that winter of a vanquished enemy dying in ignominy was a boon to French citizens, and even a decade later, it may have proven convenient to a Russian tsar who needed to make excuses for why the Russians so quickly abandoned the Austrians and British to an enemy they were still fighting in 1814.

Or, maybe even a Russian tsar might’ve agreed, whether it’s fact or fiction, the version where thousands went into the ice is pretty damn cinematic. Ridley Scott clearly does.

Napoleon is in theaters now and will make its global streaming premiere on Apple TV+ down the road.

David Crow | @DCrowsNest

David Crow is the movies editor at Den of Geek. He has long been proud of his geek credentials. Raised on cinema classics that ranged from…

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Best Napoleon Biography?

What is the most historically accurate Napoleon biography? Is the newer Andrew Roberts one a good place to start, or would you recommend a different one?

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Napoleon’s one-and-a-half inch long penis last known to be in the possession of nj urologist’s daughter.

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Here is a short history lesson.

French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte died 203 years ago May 5, but his legendarily petite privates were last known to be in the hands of an Englewood, NJ, resident.

The penis belonged to Evan Lattimer, whose renowned urologist dad beat out stiff competition at a Paris auction in 1977 to buy the organ for $3,000.

“He bought it, he never showed it to anyone, he never told anyone. He just took it, put it under the desk and there it was,” she once told Channel 4 in the UK.

Dr. John K. Lattimer, who did extensive research on the Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy assassinations, died in 2007 at age 92.

Evan Lattimer, now 75, declined to comment on the famous French member of the family when reached by The Post.

As legend has it, a resentful doctor supposedly snipped the inch-and-a-half long penis during the 5-foot-5 ruler’s autopsy.

The postmortem was carried out by Napoleon’s doctor, Francesco Autommarchi, in front of 17 witnesses, according to NYC writer Tony Perrottet, who wrote the 2008 book, “Napoleon’s Privates: 2,500 Years of History Unzipped.”

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The penis is then said to have been part of a collection of items owned by the priest who administered Napoleon’s last rites, Abbé Anges Paul Vignali, eventually passing through his family, Perrottet, 60, confirmed to The Post.

Napoleon’s pistol warrior was among relics bought by American rare books dealer A.S.W. Rosenbach in 1924 and displayed at the Museum of French Art in Manhattan in 1927.

It was eventually auctioned in Paris in 1977 and bought by Evan Lattimer’s father, a Professor of Urology at Columbia University.

Evan Lattimer has kept private for the most part on the kinky keepsake.

Perrottet had the rare privilege of seeing little Napoleon about 10 years ago in Englewood.

“It was a fascinating moment. She hadn’t looked at it for years. It was in a FedEx box. The legend was the doctor kept it under his bed,” the writer explained. “It had been air-dried, so no one is going to look so great after 200 years. It was like a little baby’s finger … It’s always compared to beef jerky. It’s sort of dried out.”

Here are the whereabouts of some other A-list body parts:

• Ludwig van Beethoven’s ear bones — Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies at California’s San Jose State University,
• Lincoln’s skull fragments — National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington D.C.
• Galileo Galilei’s finger — Museum of the History of Science in Florence, Italy
• Thomas Edison’s last breath – in a glass tube at Henry Ford Museum in Michigan
• Albert Einstein’s brain — Mutter Museum in Philadelphia

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Anatomy of a Fall: Why Justine Triet's Best Director Nod Is the Most Surprising Oscar Nomination for 2024

13 best freevee movies on prime video to watch right now, the 54 best movies on disney+ to watch right now, ranked, quick links, best movies streaming on amc+ & shudder, best movies streaming on apple tv+, best movies streaming on paramount+, best movies streaming on peacock, best movies streaming on netflix, best movies streaming on hulu, best movies streaming on prime video, best movies streaming on disney+, best movies streaming on max.

We're at a point now in the streaming world where just about every service has a multitude of quality titles available. But while we'd like to waste numerous days watching multiple shows at a time, sometimes we get in the mood to see a quality film. With upcoming exclusives and newly licensed films, it's admittedly a little difficult to keep track of everything worth seeing on streaming nowadays.

Therefore, we've found it helpful to highlight 50 movies from a variety of genres across all the major players in the streaming world, guaranteeing that there will be something for everyone to watch this weekend, or next week, or any other time. There's a plethora of fascinating stories from all corners of the globe, meaning you're sure to find something to enjoy here. We'll also update this list regularly to make sure we're reflecting the best new movies to watch on streaming .

Late Night With the Devil (2023)

Late Night With the Devil

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One of Shudder's newest exclusives is a particularly intriguing international co-production. Co-directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, Late Night with the Devil takes place on Halloween night circa 1977, featuring a business-savvy talk show host named Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) trying a daring experiment. In a bid for higher viewership, Delroy puts on an occult-themed special with plenty of supernatural intrigue. However, tampering with the souls of the dead may have horrible consequences for not just Delroy, but his audience nationwide. Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss, and Fayssal Bazzi co-star in this terrifying tale alongside Dastmalchian.

A Thrilling Tale of Late Night Terror

Despite facing some minor controversy due to the use of AI in the film's production , Late Night with the Devil shines as both a period piece and as a legitimate fright-fest. Beyond being your typical found-footage film, Late Night with the Devil utilizes its staging as a live performance along with traditional filming techniques in order to balance genuine misery with some lighter moments. At only a little over 90 minutes, Late Night with the Devil does all it can to wring every unique idea out of its premise before coming to a surprising conclusion. It's certainly a refreshing horror film if you're aching for something a little different. Be sure to check out the trailer for Late Night with the Devil below:

It's a Wonderful Knife

It's a Wonderful Knife

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The slasher genre is always in need of innovation, and given its malleable nature, it's no surprise that It's a Wonderful Knife debuted in late 2023. A dark homage to the classic Christmas film It's a Wonderful Life , It's a Wonderful Knife sees a young woman, Winnie (Jane Widdop), left in a depressive rut around the holiday season. Having previously saved the town from a monstrous masked killer, she laments her past and wishes that she had never been born. Unfortunately, her wish comes true, and she's left to discover just how many people she saved on that faithful night by reliving it once again.

It's a Wonderful Knife Is a Bloody Homage

Director Tyler MacIntyre presents a film that both genre enthusiasts and holiday fanatics can enjoy in equal measure, blending elements of dark humor with an interesting subversion on a classic Christmas tale. Though it's not necessarily fit for the whole family, its eclectic premise and compelling performances from the extended cast – including Joel McHale and Justin Long – make It's a Wonderful Knife an equally bloody and entertaining slasher flick.

For an exclusive interview with Joel McHale, who plays a key role in It's a Wonderful Knife , check out our video below:

The next exciting entry in the V/H/S anthology series hearkens back to the days of 1980s filmmaking. V/H/S/85 , appropriately lit up with neon lights and doused in fog machines, collects several different horror-centric short films from a plethora of directors, with the whole shebang focusing on a specific theme. While all V/H/S films feature an overarching narrative connecting the shorts, we're jumping back to the 1980s this time around, with several era-appropriate stories featured throughout.

Scott Derrickson Returns for V/H/S/85

The biggest strengths of V/H/S/85 lie solely within its anthology format. Well-known directors like Scott Derrickson, as well as new visionaries like Gigi Saul Guerrero and Natasha Kermani , all lend their talents to each of their respective shorts. David Bruckner, who previously directed 2022's Hellraiser , is in charge of the wraparound segments as well, tying each of these exciting shorts into a linear narrative. If you're the kind of horror fan who appreciates variety in their frightful films, V/H/S/85 is up there as one of Shudder's best original offerings.

Napoleon (2023)

The latest project by Ridley Scott is one filled with his technical passion. Napoleon is a grandiose historical epic directed by Scott and written by David Scarpa, telling an abridged biography of Napoleon Bonaparte's life in addition to his relationship with his wife, Joséphine. Some of Napoleon's most immense battles are brought to life on the big screen, all while political tensions back home threaten his globe-spanning conquest. Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby co-star as Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine Bonaparte, respectively, with additional performances provided by Tahar Rahim, Rupert Everett, Ben Miles, Ludivine Sagnier, and Matthew Needham.

An Incredible Display of Production Design

In addition to earning nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Production Design at the Academy Awards, Napoleon is a marvelous feast for the senses. Though Napoleon 's historical accuracy is "questionable" at points, to put things lightly, the surrounding film is more than serviceable as a feature-length highlight reel for one of history's most prominent figures. It's a film you'll appreciate more for its incredible technical qualities and immense scope than for its weaker elements, though individual moments do shine through in its gargantuan runtime. For a quick glimpse at Napoleon , be sure to check out the film's trailer below:

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese is back with Killers of the Flower Moon , and after making a big splash at the box office, it's finally available on streaming. A period drama based on David Grann's titular book, Killers of the Flower Moon takes place in 1920s Oklahoma, centered around the discovery of oil in the middle of the Osage Nation. Unfortunately, greed and malice collide as competing interests set their sights on the oil underneath the soil, with bodies piling up at a concerning rate. When the Bureau of Investigation gets involved, things will only intensify further.

Martin Scorsese Returns With a Triumph

A deviation from Scorsese's typical crime stories, Killers of the Flower Moon paints an all-encompassing picture of one of the most gratuitous crimes in American history. Its extensive cast, comprised of frequent Scorsese collaborators like Leonardo DiCaprio and established names like Tantoo Cardinal, lend this epic Western drama some appropriate credence alongside its authentic Oklahoma setting. With a stunning soundscape provided by the late Robbie Robertson, the last collaboration between him and Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon successfully returned Scorsese to the spotlight. Now, you can catch his latest crime epic from the comfort of your couch cushions.

The Family Plan

Mark Wahlberg dons a pleasant smile and a calm demeanor in The Family Plan . However, this pleasant disposition may be hiding a shocking secret. After living a fruitful life as an automotive sales agent, complete with a loving family, Dan Morgan (Wahlberg) is forced to dredge up his past as a cold assassin when an old acquaintance comes knocking. The film was directed by Simon Cellan Jones, marking his first feature film credit in over 20 years, with additional performances provided by Michelle Monaghan, Zoe Colletti, and Maggie Q.

The Family Plan Is Incredibly Popular

Overshadowing previous exclusive films like Ghosted , The Family Plan is officially the most-viewed film on Apple TV+ , This action comedy film leans heavily on its intense choreography and explosive shootouts more than its comedic chops, but the charismatic performance found in Wahlberg's Dan Morgan is enough to carry this film to its dramatic finish. It's arguably one of the most likable performances Wahlberg has put on in years, with the surrounding family playing a key role in the film's events, rather than just being typical set dressing.

Bob Marley: One Love

Musical biopics are as plentiful as they are varied, but the latest (and greatest) from the genre has recently debuted on Paramount+. Enter Bob Marley: One Love , with Kingsley Ben-Adir playing the famed reggae musician. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green ( Monsters and Men , Joe Bell ), Bob Marley: One Love follows Marley from his humble beginnings in the mid 1970s until his tragic death in the early 1980s, chronicling the creation of the titular song as well as his involvement in the wider reggae and Rastafarian movements. Lashana Lynch and James Norton co-star as Rita Marley and Chris Blackwell, respectively.

You'll Love Bob Marley: One Love

Aside from featuring the musical stylings of one of music's most recognizable artists, Kingsley Ben-Adir is practically a spitting image of the late Bob Marley. He, along with the film's greater themes of love and peace, are a refreshing change of pace compared to the typical rise and fall format you'd come to expect from musical biopics. Aside from being essential viewing for any fan of Bob Marley's work, One Love paints a terrific portrait of Marley with an infectiously memorable score.

For an exclusive interview with Kingsley Ben-Adir, be sure to check out our video below:

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning

Even now, Tom Cruise is still defying all odds when it comes to performing his own stunts. This is especially evident in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning , the latest in the long-running Mission: Impossible franchise . One of the most expensive movies ever made, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning takes place after the events of Mission: Impossible – Fallout , placing Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) at the center of his biggest mission yet. When a weapon that could end all life as we know it is sequestered into the wrong hands, Hunt and the IMF are tasked with preventing a global catastrophe. Of course, this also means Hunt will have to put his life at severe risk through a plethora of jaw-dropping stunts.

An Impressive Mission: Impossible Film

Tom Cruise's physicality aside, Dead Reckoning is an impressive film from a purely technical standpoint. Despite numerous production setbacks following the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects provided by Industrial Light & Magic on top of oodles of ludicrously expensive stunts makes for a total visual spectacle. There's even an incredible train sequence that's sure to take your breath away. Combine that with nominations for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards, and you have what is likely one of the most viscerally entertaining action movies of 2023.

Good Burger 2

Did we really need a follow-up to Good Burger ? Given Good Burger 2 's popularity, it looks like we did. Good Burger 2 picks up twenty-six years after the events of the first film. Dexter Reed has distanced himself from the titular restaurant in pursuit of independent entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, when his latest attempt at innovating fails, he's forced to return to Good Burger once more to get back on his feet. Though Dexter is greeted with warm faces and a wonderful reunion with Ed, his attempts to break out from his greasy occupation may put the entire establishment at risk. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell reprise their roles from the original film, in addition to producing the production as a whole.

A Welcomed Legacy Sequel

Good Burger 2 is a welcome nostalgia trip for fans of this wacky comedy franchise. Thompson and Mitchell haven't missed a beat, maintaining the hilarious chemistry that defined their iconic relationship so many years ago. A plethora of celebrity cameos, including appearances from Mark Cuban, Andy Samberg, and Nicole Richie can also be found throughout. Of course, returning writers Kevin Kopelow and Heath Seifert penned this sequel's hilarious screenplay, having originally worked on the beloved first film. We may even see Good Burger 3 enter development sooner than you'd think.

Drive-Away Dolls (2024)

Drive-Away Dolls

Ethan Coen of the Coen brothers came out with a surprising film this year, and it's in a genre you wouldn't necessarily expect. The 2024 road trip comedy Drive-Away Dolls sees Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan co-starring as Jamie and Marian, respectively, on an interesting trek across the United States. After a harsh breakup sees the two friends winding up together once again, their impromptu journey to Tallahassee is fraught with a murderous case of mistaken identity. Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, and Matt Damon co-star alongside Viswanathan and Qualley.

Carried by Qualley and Viswanathan

Any road trip comedy worth its salt is carried by its lead performances, and suffice to say, Drive-Away Dolls is easily carried by its two leads. Their charisma and comedic timing allow for this sub-90 minute feature to come to a brisk conclusion. Drawing parallels to the numerous films directed by both of the Coens throughout their expansive filmography, Drive-Away Dolls also injects its own unique style independent of those previous projects, no doubt due to the involvement of Tricia Cooke in the writing department. Though reviews have been mixed overall, many have noted the film's effectiveness as a raunchy comedy as its biggest draw. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Geraldine Viswanathan and Beanie Feldstein below:

Oppenheimer

If you somehow missed one of the single biggest films of 2023, don't worry: Oppenheimer is finally available on streaming. The latest and greatest by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is a focused biopic about what is arguably one of the most intriguing faces of World War II: J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is portrayed by Cillian Murphy here. The film follows the career of Oppenheimer, ranging from his initial studies, to his involvement with the Manhattan Project, to his ultimate downfall. Emily Blunt and Matt Damon co-star as his wife, Kitty, and as the director of the Manhattan Project, Leslie Groves, respectively.

2023's Most Popular Film

What can be said about Oppenheimer that hasn't been said already? It's a film whose impressive cinematography, emphasis on practical effects, and terrific casting catapulted it to the top of 2023's most popular films. This is doubly true based on its Academy Award performance, not only being the film to receive 13 nominations across all categories, but ultimately going on to win Best Picture , Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor. Suffice to say, its positive qualities made it an incredible watch, cementing it as one of the most acclaimed films of 2023. Watch the trailer for Oppenheimer below:

16 Best Horror Movies on Peacock to Watch Right Now

Peacock has plenty of spooky favorites for viewers to either rewatch or get acquainted with on the NBCUniversal streaming service.

The Book of Clarence

Jeymes Samuel, after previously creating the stylish action Western The Harder They Fall for Netflix in 2021, came back with yet another creative film in 2023. Now that it has completed its run in theaters, it's now available to stream on Netflix. The Book of Clarence takes us back to 33 A.D., where a man named Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) finds an opportunity to pull himself out of a bad situation. Burdened with debt, Clarence discovers the growing popularity of Jesus Christ, and subsequently declares himself to be a new Messiah ordained by God to capitalize on this. However, his plan may not go as smoothly as he hopes.

An Inventive and Polarizing Dramedy

Though The Book of Clarence was met with mixed reviews during its original theatrical run, you can't deny that it certainly has a lot going for it. Like The Harder They Fall , it has an incredible ensemble cast featuring the likes of Omar Sy, RJ Cyler, David Oyelowo, Anna Diop , and James McAvoy, paired with a script originally penned by Jeymes Samuel. The acclaimed cinematographer Rob Hardy ( Annihilation , Ex Machina ) is attached as well, giving the film's unique presentation some much-needed visual flair. It's a film that goes in multiple directions, but each one is equally entertaining. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with LaKeith Stanfield and RJ Cyler below.

Suzume (2023)

Suzume no Tojimari

What is arguably one of 2023's best animated films has recently jumped onto Netflix in all of its stunning glory. Suzume , directed by Makoto Shinkai, tells an enigmatic coming-of-age tale centered around a young high school girl named Suzume Iwato. After discovering a mysterious door standing by itself, she makes the discovery of a lifetime, inadvertently leading to a series of natural disasters. With the help of a mysterious stranger, she'll have to close more of these doors before an all-encompassing force threatens her home. Nanoka Hara lends her voice to the title character, whereas Hokuto Matsumura voices Souta Munakata, Suzume's mysterious partner.

One of 2023's Best Animated Films

After previously being exclusive to Crunchyroll, Suzume has finally made the jump to Netflix. Frankly, it's about time. This incredible animated film was the subject of numerous accolades, earning several Annie Award nominations for Best Feature, Best Character Animation – Feature, and Best Voice Acting – Feature. Were it not for Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron , it could've also won Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globe Awards. But even without that award, Suzume earned heaps of praise for its incredible presentation, relevant themes, and its purposeful deviations away from Makoto Shinkai's previous works.

If you're still reeling from the sudden delisting of Hulu's The Princess back in 2022, one of Netflix's latest fantasy action films may fill the void left behind by its absence. Damsel sees Millie Bobby Brown playing the role of Elodie, a young woman who, after realizing her marriage is nothing more than a means to an end, is tasked with taking on the righteous fury of a leviathan dragon all by herself. The film was directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo , famed for his sophomore directorial effort 28 Weeks Later , with additional cast members including the likes of Ray Winstone, Nick Robinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Angela Bassett.

A Damsel Dishing Out Distress

Is Damsel fine art? Is it a film that touches on important issues or has lofty ambitions of something greater? Well, no. But as a genre film, one with an exceptional cast and a talented director behind it, Damsel delivers an effective story with entertaining production values. Millie Bobby Brown's transformation from a damsel to a dragon-fighting hero is engaging from start to finish, and the film's simple premise allows for its true strengths to stand front and center. If you're curious about Damsel, be sure to check out the trailer below:

It's safe to say that whenever Adam Sandler ventures out of the comedy wheelhouse for a dramatic role, you're in for a real treat. Case in point, Spaceman , his latest dramatic venture that debuted exclusively on Netflix. Sandler plays Jacob Procházka, an astronaut on an isolated mission in the deepest reaches of space. Of course, sending a single man on a six-month expedition to the stars comes with a dangerous problem: loneliness. As Jacob ponders the state of his loved ones after they cease communications, the discovery of a stowaway on his ship may ultimately turn his life around.

Adam Sandler Does It Again

Without spoiling some of the film's most interesting attributes, Spaceman 's examination of loneliness and interpersonal relationships is absolutely worth seeing. Sandler pairs well with co-stars Carey Mulligan and Paul Dano, and with direction from Johan Renck of Chernobyl fame, what you get is an incredibly emotional story with some ample zaniness to keep things interesting. Even though Spaceman is only Renck's second film as a director, it's certainly one that promises more inventive stories in the future. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan below:

Thanksgiving

Famed horror director Eli Roth has finally returned to the big screen with one of his most intriguing projects yet: Thanksgiving . A feature-length extension of a fake trailer made for Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodgiuez's 2007 double-feature, Grindhouse , Thanksgiving marks Roth's first foray into both holiday-themed horror and the slasher subgenre. Set during the eponymous holiday season, this straightforward slasher sees a masked killer tormenting the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The killer does so while donning a John Carver mask, adding the pulpy humor found throughout.

Eli Roth's First Slasher

Any fan of Roth's work needs to check out Thanksgiving . It's the first time he's foraying into one of the most seminal horror subgenres ever made, and knowing his penchant for hyperviolence, it'll be a great opportunity to see some brutal slasher kills . Thankfully, you can also expect to see his patented brand of dark humor as well, made all the more effective via the performances of Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, and Milo Manheim. After quickly becoming a box office success, a sequel has already entered development.

The Equalizer 3

The Equalizer 3 finds Robert McCall in post-retirement...retirement. Because, of course, that first retirement attempt didn't work out so well. Now, he's living in Italy, mingling with the locals and developing connections — connections that are threatened when the local crime bosses seek to increasingly control their lives, property, and bank accounts. Denzel Washington returns once more to reprise his role as Robert McCall, this time starring alongside Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, and Gaia Scodellaro.

A Solid Trilogy-Capper

The first Equalizer film was, like the original John Wick , fairly small-scale. The sequel brought in a bit more of McCall's past, not to mention those he thought were his friends. In other words, the stakes were higher in the sequel. But the third film takes things back to even more restrained territory than the first one. If any of the three Equalizer s is more concerned with fleshing out the character of McCall than anything else, it's the third. Denzel Washington would later earn a nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards for his performance here.

Shortcomings

Shortcomings , the feature-length directorial debut of Randall Park — aka "Fake Jim" from The Office — is a dramedy you can't afford to miss. Bay Area natives Ben (Justin H. Min), Miko (Ally Maki), and Alice (Sherry Cola) find themselves on the other side of the country in beautiful New York City as they each search for their role in life. Ben, being a connoisseur of arthouse films, attempts to live life the best he can as a newly-made bachelor, though each of these three will find that life is far from predictable.

Shortcomings Has Few Shortcomings

Debut films are always a fickle thing to get right, but luckily, Randall Park delivered a thoroughly compelling drama for audiences of all kinds. The character of Ben is given a layer of depth you don't typically see in films like this, with his positive and negative qualities making him into a fully-rounded character. This is no doubt assisted by the terrific performances of Justin H. Min and the numerous talented cast members he shares the screen with. You'll find a deeper meaning in Shortcomings , even if you're not necessarily anticipating one.

Lift (2024)

Lift is an essential movie for Kevin Hart fans, as he takes the lead in what will likely be one of the best heist movies of the year. This Netflix exclusive sees Hart playing the role of Cyrus, a skilled thief, as he and a group of professional heisters attempt to hoist hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold from a gargantuan passenger plane. There's just one problem: the heist can only be completed as the plane is midair. F. Gary Gray directed this feature, having previously directed beloved films like Straight Outta Compton , Friday , and Set It Off .

Kevin Hart Helms a Hair-Raising Heist

Those who love heist films, especially those of the ludicrous variety, will find themselves right at home with Lift 's delightfully absurd premise. That being said, there are other positive qualities to look forward to as well. The supporting cast, featuring big names like Sam Worthington and Vincent D'Onofrio , play well with Hart's charm, and the over-the-top nature of the film's presentation makes for a perfect, easy-viewing experience.

For an exclusive interview with Kevin Hart and producer Bryan Smiley, check out our video below:

Bradley Cooper returns to the world of music once more with Maestro , painting a terrific portrait of one of the most beloved musical icons in American history. Maestro features Cooper both in the director's chair and in front of the camera, playing the role of the famed Leonard Bernstein alongside Carey Mulligan as Felicia Montealegre. A biopic at its core, the film examines Bernstein's successful career as one of America's most revered composers, chronicling his tenacity as he takes on the world of orchestras and Broadway in equal measure. Bernstein's marriage to Felicia Montealegre also gets plenty of focus here as well.

Maestro Is a Triumphant Black and White Film

Being one of the few films of 2023 to utilize black-and-white cinematography , there's a clear and conscious effort to use this style to its advantage, with specific scene lighting making the grayscale coloring truly pop. It's an incredible film to watch from a purely visual standpoint, though the on-screen chemistry between Cooper and Mulligan certainly helps as well. It's an impressive showcase of Cooper's talents as a director, and it would later go on to earn seven Academy Award nominations, including the coveted nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

Leo is a surprising success, to say the least. Leo was primarily developed by Happy Madison Productions, being their second animated film following 2002's Eight Crazy Nights . The film sees Adam Sandler playing the role of a sentient reptile named Leo, who is living inside an everyday classroom. As he longs for a way to visit the outside world, he soon gets his wish when he's taken to a student's home as part of a school project. However, the student soon makes a stunning discovery: Leo can talk.

After this groundbreaking revelation, a world of excitement and curiosity is opened for both Leo and his surrounding classroom, promising a hilarious adventure for everyone involved. An ensemble cast featuring Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Jo Koy, and more are featured throughout this animated musical comedy .

Leo Is a Surprising Adam Sandler Film

This surprising animated film drew positive reviews from critics, with praise pointed towards its impressive animation and memorably catchy songs. The score itself was composed by Geoff Zanelli, who previously worked on films like The Road to El Dorado and Rango . When combined with the songwriting of Robert Smigel, it creates a stellar soundscape for Leo 's colorful presentation. Underneath its cutesy exterior, there's a compelling story to be found that the entire family can appreciate.

For an exclusive interview with co-directors Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim, check out our video below:

Though we've all been taught the importance of the civil rights movement, there's a good chance you may have never heard of one of its most influential figures. Rustin , a biographical drama about the titular Bayard Rustin, tells the story of a behind-the-scenes activist whose efforts were paramount to a plethora of humanitarian causes. Unfortunately, most don't know what exactly Rustin did to aid the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. – until now. Colman Domingo plays the titular Bayard Rustin, with additional performances provided by Chris Rock, Jeffrey Wright, Audra McDonald, and CCH Pounder.

Rustin Is a Thorough Biopic

Aside from being produced by Higher Ground, the same studio behind American Factory , Rustin is a thoroughly compelling drama whose subject and historical accuracy are notable points of praise. Colman Domingo especially shines as the eponymous lead, presenting a layered illustration of Bayard Rustin while bringing him to life. The director of Rustin , George C. Wolfe , previously directed notable films like Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks . Check out our interview with the main star below:

The Killer (2023)

David Fincher returns to the world of film – and Netflix, coincidentally – with his latest thriller. The Killer sees Michael Fassbender playing the role of our titular assassin, a cold and calculating man who puts his business above all else. In a story we're all too familiar with, our killer makes a fatal misstep in what would've been an everyday job. Faced with death, he attempts to survive a globetrotting manhunt that may ultimately put him six feet under. Arliss Howard, Charles Parnell, Sala Baker, and Tilda Swinton perform alongside Fassbender. The film is based on the titular French graphic novel series originally written by Alexis Nolent.

The Killer Kills It

Fassbender kills it as our protagonist, crafting a compelling performance out of a character who's as unfeeling as they come. It's a deliberately simple thriller compared to Fincher's previous films as of late, but in foregoing a complex plot, he's able to make the creative elements of each scene shine brighter than ever before. This is especially evident in the film's soundscape. The film's score, primarily composed by the winning duo of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross , also features a plethora of songs from The Smiths, crafting a unique atmosphere that pairs well with what's on-screen.

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If you're sad about The Walking Dead or Supernatural coming to an end, never fear; here are the best horror series to watch on Netflix.

Insidious: The Red Door

The latest entry in the Insidious franchise features one of its biggest stars in a leading role and in the director's chair. Insidious: The Red Door sees Patrick Wilson reprising his role as Josh Lambert, who has since become traumatized after the events of Insidious: Chapter 2. But when the time comes to take on their pasts once and for all, Josh and an adult Dalton Lambert (Ty Simpkins) will have to hurl themselves into The Further one last time. Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Sinclair Daniel, Hiam Abbass, and Steve Coulter are attached to the film's cast, with James Wan returning once more as a producer.

Insidious: The Red Door Ties Up Loose Ends

Should the Insidious franchise be laid to rest following The Red Door , it'll act as a terrific finale for a series of terrifying horror films. Patrick Wilson does an exemplary job in his directorial debut, made all the more impressive by a staggering $189 million made at the international box office against a budget of $16 million. Knowing that The Red Door comes more than a full decade after the film that precedes it chronologically, it's impressive to see how exactly it ties up the loose ends left behind so long ago.

For an exclusive interview with Patrick Wilson himself, check out our video below:

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

One of the most popular animated films of 2023 has made a home on Netflix. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , the middle entry in the Spider-Verse trilogy, sees a returning Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) taking on more than he can handle in a multiverse adventure beyond the scope of its predecessor. After a tense encounter with the Spot (Jason Schwartzman) lands Miles in the Spider-Society, a perturbing revelation will see Miles facing off against an army of Spider-People and the potential collapse of reality itself.

Across the Spider-Verse Is a Fantastic Follow-Up

Frankly, it's easier to count the things Across the Spider-Verse hasn't been praised for compared to the alternative. It boasts some of the most impressive animation the medium has seen yet, and it continues the story of Miles in a way that feels not only refreshing, but impeccably exciting. It's an adventure that simply never lets up, making it perfect for Marvel fans and animation enthusiasts alike. The positive reception is even more impresive when you consider the film's abrupt ending.

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Michael Mann's latest movie has finally hit streaming after debuting in December 2023. Ferrari , based on the 1991 biography Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races, the Machine , sees Adam Driver playing the film's titular lead. Struggling under the weight of his shattered family and his professional woes, Enzo Ferrari weighs his options during the onset of the 1947 Mille Miglia race. At the same time, Ferrari's racing team, Scuderia Ferrari, is set to compete in the race.

Michael Mann's Ferrari Biopic

Sport-themed biopics can be a dime a dozen, but those focused around the expensive world of auto racing are always a real treat. Adam Driver undergoes a complete transformation into the illustrious Enzo Ferrari, and the supporting cast featuring the likes of Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gadon, and Patrick Dempsey all craft compelling performances that carry this stellar biography to the finish. While it originally bombed at the box office , critical reception was more than just positive, as Ferrari would be dubbed one of the Top 10 Films of 2023 by the National Board of Review, per The Hollywood Reporter .

Poor Things

Those familiar with director Yorgos Lanthimos' filmography had an idea of what to expect from Poor Things . What nobody could've expected, however, was just how much of a splash it made both critically and commercially. Emma Stone stars as Bella Baxter, an unusual woman living an unusual life. Under the visage of an adult woman lies the mind of a child, and as she spends her days living life in Victorian England, Bella finds herself at the center of uncomfortable relationships, manipulation, and more in one of the most critically-lauded films of the year. Stone stars alongside the likes of Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, and Jerrod Carmichael.

Emma Stone Won Best Actress

For her performance in the lead role, Emma Stone famously won the Oscar for Best Actress , beating Lily Gladstone in Killers of the Flower Moon as well as Carey Mulligan in Maestro . Poor Things would also secure nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director, only being topped by Oppenheimer in the sheer number of total nominations. Even with its experimental premise and unconventional approach, Poor Things tells a captivating story loaded with incredible performances, a surprising dose of humor, and prominent themes that deserves your attention.

Check out our exclusive interview with Poor Things' cinematographer, Robbie Ryan , below:

Anatomy of a Fall

Likewise, the international thriller film Anatomy of a Fall not only made our list of the best thrillers of 2023 , but it even saw several significant nominations at the Academy Awards as well. Directed by Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall tells a murder mystery with a unique approach. Sandra (Sandra Hüller) and her husband, Samuel Maleski (Samuel Theis), live together in an isolated home in the mountaintops of Southeastern France, all while raising their visually impaired son (Milo Machada-Graner). As their son takes the family dog on a walk, however, he returns home to find a shocking discovery: Samuel lying dead on the ground. With no reliable testimony from anyone involved, who's to say what really happened?

In spite of the divisive conversation surrounding the Oscar noms, it is important to give films like Anatomy of a Fall the flowers they deserve.

An Academy Award Winner

Though Anatomy of a Fall didn't win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, it did walk away with a win for Best Original Screenplay, as well as multiple nominations for Best Actress and Best Film Editing. It would also be the winner of the 2023 Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the most highly-regarded award in the festival's history. It's a fantastic thriller overall, one that leans heavily into legal proceedings with no clear answers to be found on either side. Regardless of what you believe when it comes to the film's ending, there's an incredible degree of technical skill and tense pacing to be found in Anatomy of a Fall . Check out Anatomy of a Fall 's official trailer below:

Self Reliance

We all need some Self Reliance now and then, but Jake Johnson's latest comedic thriller puts a unique spin on this concept. Both directed by and starring Johnson, Self Reliance sees him playing the role of Tommy — a man who seeks financial freedom after joining a reality show hosted on the dark web. The game itself is simple: if Tommy can stay alive against a group of hunters for a month, he'll get a hefty lump sum of cash. However, Tommy quickly finds a loophole to use to his advantage. As long as he's not alone, the hunters aren't allowed to take him out, meaning he'll have to convince his closest friends and family of the game's existence.

Self Reliance Is Jake Johnson's Feature-Length Debut

Carried by its comedically morbid premise, Self Reliance is a film full of equal parts tension and hilarity. Plenty of memorable gags are strewn throughout, made all the more hilarious by Self Reliance 's impressive supporting cast. Comedic staples like Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, Andy Samberg, and even Christopher Lloyd all make appearances throughout, with Jake Johnson presenting himself as a capable and engaging protagonist.

For an exclusive interview with both Jake Johnson and fellow co-star Biff Wiff, check out our video below:

A Haunting in Venice

The follow-up to 2022's Death of the Nile is certainly a surprising one. A Haunting in Venice , directed by Kenneth Branagh, loosely adapts the Agatha Christie novel Hallowe'en Party while continuing the ongoing adventures of Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh). After retiring to Venice, Hercule attends a festive séance at the request of Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey). Unfortunately, Hercule is pulled out of retirement when the séance is plagued by a grisly murder. Will this be another typical whodunit for Hercule, or will he have to face off against a malevolent spirit? Alongside Branagh and Fey, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Jude Hill, and Michelle Yeoh lend their talents to the film's cast.

A Haunting in Venice Is Delightfully Thrilling

In addition to providing yet another compelling mystery, A Haunting in Venice shakes up the formula by introducing some genuine horror elements throughout the investigation. It was a bold creative risk, but it paid off, giving A Haunting in Venice a unique edge compared to its predecessors. In addition to this, returning cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos maintains the signature look of Branagh's mystery films while making the stunning production design pop underneath dense shadows.

For an exclusive interview with producer James Prichard, check out our video below:

BlackBerry (2023)

Like The Social Network , BlackBerry is a detailed, incisive look at the tech industry. There's no humor here, it's no Silicon Valley . Instead, it's pretty adherent to the true story, from the developers in over their heads to the investors who placed just a bit too much faith in them being able to revolutionize interpersonal communication.

A Showcase for Glenn Howerton

As Mike Lazaridis, the co-creator of the BlackBerry, Jay Baruchel is fully in his brainy element. He's also fully in his put-upon element when he's in the same room as the character played by It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia 's Glenn Howerton . Howerton is a dynamo as co-CEO Jim Balsillie, and why his ranged, utterly intimidating, performance wasn't given a shred of Oscar consideration is a mystery. Despite this, he would receive numerous nominations for Best Supporting Actor in the Gotham Independent Film Awards, the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, and the Independent Spirit Awards.

The League (2023)

Baseball is still going strong as the national pastime. Sam Pollard knows this more than anyone, as his recent documentary, The League , is currently streaming on Hulu. Prior to the MLB as we know it today, the Negro Leagues would serve as a unifying fixture of black communities throughout the early 1900s, providing a place for players and families alike to share a mutual love of baseball. Sam Pollard documents the creation and maintenance of the Negro Leagues through archival footage and interviews with iconic players in this brilliant documentary, all while emphasizing their importance to the community as a whole.

The League Is an Insightful Documentary

Though The League is primarily about baseball, there's a powerful emotional core to be found throughout. Interviews with famous players like Willie Mays and Satchel Paige paint a fascinating picture of what the Negro Leagues truly represented, making this film essential for fans of the sport. It's an important film for analyzing the power of communal activities. Just be sure to bring your peanuts and cracker jacks.

The Boogeyman

Stephen King adaptations usually rely on a coin flip for their overall quality. Luckily, The Boogeyman seems to have landed right-side up. Directed by Rob Savage , who previously directed the found footage horror films Host and Dashcam , The Boogeyman sees the Harper family devastated by the loss of their mother. As the Harper sisters finally come to terms with their loss, they'll find that a horrifying presence has infested their home with their grieving father none the wiser.

The Boogeyman Is Bone-Chilling

The Boogeyman is a surprisingly unsettling Stephen King adaptation that miraculously survived Disney's acquisition of Fox. Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair put on a pair of powerful performances as our leading siblings, and our monstrous Boogeyman is utterly terrifying the few times you get to see him. It's a fantastic example of a straightforward horror fil, one that can be appreciated for its surface-level elements, but its impressive execution of said elements as well.

The Holdovers

The Holdovers is more than just a holdover from last year. Directed by Alexander Payne of Sideways and The Descendants fame, The Holdovers is an apt title, as it focuses on a group of students at Barton Academy who are left on campus for the holidays. Now left in the care of Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), an ornery history teacher, the group find themselves warming up to their hostile chaperone as he does the same for them. David Henningson penned the film's script, it being his feature-length debut, with Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa co-starring alongside Giamatti.

The Holdovers Is an Authentic Period Piece

Seeing as how the film is set in the 1970s, there's a genuine effort to recreate the era in every way you can imagine. Not only are the characters done up in period-appropriate costumes with similar dialects, the film itself employs similar pacing and story beats from films of the era, giving it an authentic feeling of being ripped straight out of the 1970s. Of course, Giamatti dazzles as Paul Hunham as well, with Dominic Sessa putting on a clinic of a performance in his feature-film debut. Giamatti would subsequently earn a Best Actor nomination, with Da'Vine Joy Randolph ultimately taking home the award for Best Supporting Actress.

If you want to see Paul Giamatti himself discuss his working relationship with director Alexander Payne, check out our video below:

American Fiction

One of the most acclaimed comedic dramas of 2023 is now streaming on Prime Video, and if you haven't seen it yet, you really ought to give it a shot. American Fiction , directed by Cord Jefferson in his feature-length film debut, sees Jeffrey Wright starring as Thelonious Ellison, a literature professor who's in a conundrum. Though his novels receive admiration from his peers, a lack of sales, general disinterest from publishers, and rejection letters for not being "Black enough" has him in a creative rut. After a personal tragedy strikes, a frustrated Ellison opts to write a satirical novel that directly challenges stereotypes in the literary world . But what will Ellison do after his novel suddenly becomes a critical and financial smash-hit?

A Critically-Acclaimed Debut

If you lived under a rock during the Academy Awards, this impressive directorial debut secured not one, not two, but five separate nominations. These include Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Original Score, with Cord Jefferson ultimately winning the award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Jeffrey Wright is an incredible lead, conveying the conflicting feelings of Ellison in a way that's both endearing and hilarious at just the right moments. On top of that, the supporting cast featuring Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown, and Keith David all add to an already strong screenplay with their respective performances. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with both Sterling K. Brown and Jeffrey Wright below.

Road House (2024)

Though the prospect of a Road House remake rubbed many the wrong way — and rightfully so. However, most would agree that this vivid reinterpretation of the early 1990s classic does enough to stand on its own merits. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Elwood Dalton, a former UFC fighter who has resorted to the criminal underworld in order to make his living. Tired of his current living conditions, he takes on a job at a distant roadhouse in Florida in exchange for some greater stability in his life. Unfortunately, he soon finds that trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. Along with Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen, and Jessica Williams make up the main cast, with popular UFC star Conor McGregor making his feature-length acting debut.

A Surprising Remake

Against all odds, what was believed to be nothing more than a cheap cash grab turned out to be a film with some surprisingly positive qualities. Doug Liman is in the director's chair here, and his previous experience in the action genre gives him an edge in presenting Road House 's brutal fight scenes. Gyllenhaal is as personable and iconic as ever, and many critics have noted the film's tone, in particular, as a refreshing acknowledgment of its predecessor. Given how Road House could've turned out compared to other remakes, it's nothing short of miraculous. For an exclusive interview with Road House 's Dominique Columbus, check out the video below:

Ricky Stanicky

Though Ricky Stanicky saw mixed critical reception, that doesn't necessarily mean it's not an enjoyable comedy. The latest from Peter Farrelly of Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary fame, Ricky Stanicky sees Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, and Andrew Santino starring as Dean, Wes, and JT, respectively. The trio's reckless antics are always pinned on a mysterious figure nobody but them seems to know about: "Ricky Stanicky." However, when suspicions about Ricky's existence start to come to light, they hire an actor to pose as Ricky in order to assuage any concerns. John Cena co-stars here as the titular Ricky Stanicky.

Ricky Stanicky Is Raunchy and Snappy

Ricky Stanicky may not be the most highbrow of comedies, especially knowing Peter Farrelly's previous filmography, but there's still plenty to appreciate in its surprisingly dense runtime. John Cena continues his impressive streak of off-color comedy after his successful performance in Max's Peacemaker , and you could argue that his ability to roll with the punches allows this film's many jokes to successfully land. That being said, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler shine just as brightly, given their comedic backgrounds. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Jermaine Fowler and Andrew Santino below:

Directed by Thomas Vincent and co-starring Kaley Cuoco and David Oyelowo, Role Play is an action comedy film with an atypical twist. Taking after its title, we follow a married couple comprised of Emma Brackett (Cuoco) and Dave Brackett (Oyelowo) as an intimate night together reveals a dramatic secret: Emma is secretly a gun for hire. When her shady past comes back to haunt her, the secret may do more than just throw a wrench into their long-running relationship.

An R-Rated Romance

David Oyelowo is as fantastic as always in this R-rated comedy film, with Kaley Cuoco putting on a similarly-compelling performance as its captivating assassin. Given the amount of times we've seen this premise in recent years, their dual performances combined with likable personalities give this film a lighter, more comedy-oriented edge over its contemporaries. Though critical reviews may have been a little mixed, that's not to say that the film itself isn't an enjoyable watch.

For an exclusive interview with director Thomas Vincent, check out our video below:

Three years after her feature-length directorial debut, Promising Young Woman , director Emerald Fennell returns with Saltburn . A melding of several different genres, namely psychological thriller and black comedy, Saltburn tells the story of Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) , a student at the University of Oxford who struggles to fit in with his peers. However, after forming a friendship with the amicable Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), Oliver feels he may finally fit in. He even gets an opportunity to stay at Catton's impressive country house for the summer. But this very same opportunity may lead Oliver down a path he never could've expected.

Saltburn Is Captivating and Creative

Jacob Elordi steals the show here as the impressive Felix Catton, doubly so when you consider the talent they're working with. Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Carey Mulligan, Paul Rhys, and more make up the film's extensive cast, and together they create a tangible world of manipulative excess and intense obsession. It's an unconventional story, but it's one that's more than effective when looking at the sum of its individual parts.

Prime Video's free streaming service Freevee offers a diverse range of content, catering to various preferences, without a subscription of any kind.

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

We'd be remiss if we neglected to mention what is arguably one of the most valuable films in Disney+'s repertoire. After a string of critically-mixed releases, Taylor Swfit: The Eras Tour debuted on the streamer to immediate success. A concert film at its core, The Eras Tour stitches together several performances from the titular globe-spanning musical tour with a touch of cinematic flair, as superstar pop artist Taylor Swift takes you through the many different "eras" of her prolific career. In its original theatrical run, the film became one of the biggest breakout successes of 2023, grossing more than ten times its budget of a measly 20 million USD without the use of a dedicated distributor.

One of the Most-Watched Musical Films

Given Taylor Swift's unprecedented superstardom and this film's exclusivity on Disney+, it's no surprise that it quickly became one of the streamer's most watched musical films in its vast library. Considering how many Disney musicals there are, that's certainly a noteworthy accomplishment. For fans of Swift, or those simply curious about the star's extensive musical career, The Eras Tour is one of the most essential pieces of film on Disney+. It's a feature-length highlight reel of Swift's entire career, and even if you've already seen it in theaters, content originally cut from the theatrical release has been restored for this streaming release. Check out the trailer for The Eras Tour below:

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion continues to be one of Disney's most popular franchises, and given the company's penchant for remaking its existing properties, we should've expected a modern reimagining sooner rather than later. An ensemble cast comprised of LaKeith Stanfield, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Jared Leto, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more take on the titular possessed domicile in this family-friendly Halloween spectacle. Production for the film originally began in early 2010, with Justin Simien ( Dear White People ) in the director's chair following the departure of Guillermo del Toro.

A Fulfilling Remake

Firmly set in New Orleans, Haunted Mansion differentiates itself from its previous 2003 incarnation with plenty of modern touches. Some pretty impressive digital effects bring a new band of ghoulish spirits to life, with some ghosts like the infamous Constance Hathaway getting a terrifying modern makeover. LaKeith Stanfield gives it his all as our lead, and Jared Leto makes a surprise appearance as the infamous Hatbox Ghost found in the original Disneyland attraction. Those who enjoy the original ride will also love the authentic details dotted throughout the film's set design.

Elemental had one of the most impressive box office returns of the year, doubly so when you consider how long it had been in theaters before hitting streaming. Set in a world comprised of four elements – air, water, fire, and earth – we follow the budding relationship between Ember (Leah Lewis) and Wade (Mamoudou Athie), a fire element and water element respectively, as they learn that opposites may attract. That being said, water and fire historically don't go together.

Elemental Is a Modern Pixar Gem

Helmed by Peter Sohn of The Good Dinosaur , Elemental was faced with mixed initial reactions when it finally debuted in theaters. However, over time, positive word of mouth has allowed it to blossom into yet another beloved film in Pixar's expansive filmography. It purposefully breaks the established Pixar formula by veering into the romantic comedy genre, crafting a believable relationship between two well-developed characters in a thought-out setting ripe for worldbuilding.

Elemental also features some of Pixar's most beautiful animation to date, with each element's physical and chemical properties being utilized in their respective character designs. Check out our interview with the cast and crew below:

Disney+ has a ton of classic movies and modern blockbusters that the whole family can stream right now.

Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two is finally streaming on Max, meaning you can catch one of the most anticipated films of 2024 from the comfort of your home. A direct continuation of 2021's Dune , Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides, with House Atreides now in ruins. Left with few allies on the planet Arrakis, Paul must set out and unify the Fremen in order to strike back against House Harkonnen. Denis Villeneuve is back in the director's chair, with Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh, and Dave Bautista making up the principal cast.

A Successful Sequel to a Stellar Sci-fi Film

Being the single highest-grossing film of 2024 as of writing, it's safe to say that Dune: Part Two was a full-blown phenomenon at the theaters. Much like its predecessor, its incredible effects, deliberate direction, and methodical pacing allow for an authentic adaptation of Frank Herbert's original novels that we've yet to see before. The combined talents of composer Hans Zimmer, cinematographer Greig Fraser, and director Villeneuve amount to what will likely be the best films of 2024, period. If you want to experience both Dune films, Max also has the first Dune film as well.

The Iron Claw

The Iron Claw (2023)

The world of professional wrestling is loaded with triumphant stories and tragic endings, but the Von Erichs are arguably the most prominent examples of both. The Iron Claw chronicles the life stories of the Von Erichs — a family of professional wrestlers — and the numerous tragedies that befell each of its individual members. Specifically, it focuses on the sons of Fritz Von Erich, including Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron), Kerry Von Erich (Jeremy Allen White), and David Von Erich (Harris Dickinson). Sean Durkin both wrote and directed The Iron Claw , having previously directed Martha Marcy May Marlene in 2011.

A Shocking and Enthralling Sports Drama

There's a lot to love in The Iron Claw , even if its content is legitimately heartbreaking. Zac Efron gives what is arguably the single best performance of his career here, and fans of professional wrestling will love the film's dedication to authentically replicating the profession throughout. While it was famously snubbed at the Academy Awards, several prominent figures in the world of professional wrestling, including the real-life Marshall Von Erich and prolific journalist Dave Meltzer, sung praise for The Iron Claw 's individual performances . Even if you're not a wrestling fan, it's a captivating tale with dizzying highs and lows that's sure to get the waterworks going.

Dream Scenario

What if everyone you knew saw the same person in their dreams? And what if that person was played by Nicolas Cage ? That's the scenario in Dream Scenario , a film that examines what happens when everyone sees the same real-life man in their dreams. While Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) is surprised by his newfound popularity at first, things will quickly take a dramatic turn as the novelty of his situation begins to wear off. The film was written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, with Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Tim Meadows, Dylan Gelula, and Dylan Baker making up the rest of the principal cast.

Separating Dreams from Reality

On top of securing a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, Nicolas Cage truly shines in Dream Scenario . Just like his performance in Pig , he's given an opportunity to veery away from the ham-laden performances most would associate him with in favor of something more purposefully subdued, with his lack of agency in the story being a notable highlight. Without going into any specific spoilers, this eclectic film goes in a direction you wouldn't necessarily expect, keeping you on your toes until its intriguing conclusion. Be sure to check out the trailer for Dream Scenario below:

Dicks: The Musical

Dicks: The Musical is A24's first feature-length musical for the big screen, and it's certainly a unique debut to say the least. Directed by Larry Charles, who previously cut his teeth collaborating with Sacha Baron Cohen on Borat and Brüno , Dicks: The Musical adapts the crass off-Broadway musical F****** Identical Twins for the silver screen. Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson reprise their roles from the musical as Craig and Trevor, a pair of identical twins who were separated at birth. Now fully-grown adults, the two men forge a strong connection as they attempt to reunite their eccentric parents.

A24's Musical Debut

Right off the bat, it's worth saying that if you don't like gross-out humor and crass comedy, Dicks: The Musical may not be for you. Having said that, Sharp and Jackson manage to embody the same kind of charismatic presence they had onstage in front of a high-definition camera, with an incredible amount of work done in translating the musical's numerous songs to film. Even popular hip-hop artist Megan Thee Stallion lends her talents to a dedicated song in the film, amounting to an adult-oriented musical that's sure to please anyone looking for an outrageous time.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom , the final installment of the DCEU, wasn't always intended to serve that purpose. But, all told (and especially given the lack of quality found in Shazam!: Fury of the Gods , The Flash , and, to a lesser extent, Blue Beetle ), there were worse ways to wrap up the overarching narrative. Lost Kingdom finds Arthur a few years after the events of the first film, with Mera as his wife, a little baby in his arms, and Black Manta desperate to avenge his father.

The Best of the Final DCEU Films

The DCEU's ambition and subsequent failure will certainly become the stuff of film history, if it hasn't already. And, if any calendar year has shown that the once-mighty superhero subgenre has fallen, it's 2023. But Lost Kingdom was a bright spot in 2023, even if it's not exactly high art. The chemistry between Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson is, once again, sterling, and the grandiose scale and production values found throughout stands tall alongside its predecessor.

The Color Purple (2023)

The Color Purple

One of the most surprising films of 2023 was the musical film The Color Purple . Inspired by the stage musical of the same name, which was based on an original work by Alice Walker, this musical film shares a few similarities to the 1985 movie adaptation by Stephen Spielberg. Director Blitz Bazawule's third feature film focuses on Celie (Fantasia Barrino), a Black woman whose life in the early 1900s is continually troubled by numerous tragedies. However, despite it all, she persists via the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

An Impressive Adaptation

With a special cameo appearance from Whoopi Goldberg, The Color Purple is certainly one of the more impressive adaptations to release in 2023. In its efforts to blend elements from both the 1985 film and the stage musical, what you get is a production that takes the best from both adaptations and melds them into a cohesive whole. Danielle Brooks, who played the role of Sofia, even earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

The original 1985 adaptation of The Color Purple originally drew some controversy compared to the 2023 adaptation. For information as to why, check out our video below:

Even if you're not a Barbie girl, you'd be remiss if you didn't catch one of the biggest films of 2023 now that it's on streaming. A reinvention of Mattel's famous toyline, Greta Gerwig's Barbie sees Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling playing the iconic Barbie and Ken as they're unfortunately ousted from the delightfully pink Barbieland. The two are then led on a journey of self-discovery as they enter the real world. The film is famous due to its involvement in the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon , where double feature viewings of it and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer took the summer of 2023 by storm.

Barbie Is One of 2023's Best Films

What can be said about Barbie ? It's hilarious, it's entertaining, it's informative, and above all, it's not the least bit cynical. Barbie is a refreshing example of how you can make a captivating movie about anything, let alone inanimate doll toys, while having something genuinely engaging to say. The benefit of Barbie 's exclusive home on Max is that it additionally comes with a full translation in American Sign Language, complete with an interpreter signing the film's events.

The Conjuring universe was blessed with some new life in 2023 via The Nun II . Michael Chaves directed this supernatural sequel, with returning favorites Taissa Farmiga and Bonnie Aarons reprising their roles from the first film. Set four years after the events of The Nun , Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) is now lending her talents to an Italian convent before being contacted by the Cardinal for a special mission. Valak (Bonnie Aarons) is back once again, and is leaving a trail of bodies throughout Europe. Will Irene have the ability to face off against the demonic nun once more? Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid, Anna Popplewell, and Suzanne Bertish round out the film's cast.

Bonnie Aarons Is The Nun Once More

Bonnie Aarons is as terrifying as ever , and Chaves shines after building up some experience with The Curse of La Llorona and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It . Even Farmiga's Sister Irene gets some impressive development as our central character, with a stellar finale lying in wait for fans of the first film. The Nun II does what a proper sequel should, expanding upon the ideas introduced in the first film while also incorporating new challenges for its protagonist to face.

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