Napoleon: Life, Legacy and Image: A Biography

As an exemplary military leader and self-crowned emperor, Napoleon capitalized on his mastery of manipulating traditional media, says Forrest, director of the Centre for 18th Century Studies in England: “He surrounded himself with journalists and spin-doctors long before it became a tradition of politics....” His savvy in trying to establish his image among all sectors of the population is illustrated by the fact that, during his Italian campaign, he simultaneously published both a revolutionary-minded newspaper and one appealing to worried royalists. Forrest glosses over Napoleon’s military exploits and legendary romances to highlight the strategically brilliant Corsican’s attention to image and legacy. Napoleon attempted to create a political dynasty, rewarding loyalty from three of his four brothers with kingdoms (the fourth received nothing). Surprisingly, Forrest devotes few words to trusted followers or even the influential women in Napoleon’s life; he quickly portrays Josephine as a decadent Creole Eva Peron, primarily enchanted by Napoleon’s potential for success and wealth, and his sisters and Marie Louise receive scant attention in spite of their contributions to his empire. With his emphasis on the construction of the Napoleonic myth, Forrest offers an introduction to a fascinating figure that should whet readers’ appetites for more on this mesmerizing and complex figure—but won’t satisfy them. 8 pages of color illus. (Dec.)