Edited by J.M.Thompson
Published by Prion Books (1998) price £ 10.00 ISBN 1 85375 269 X 331 pages, paperback.

Napoleon wrote over 60,000 letters of which some 41,000 survive. This selection of 300 letters was made, edited and translated by J.M.Thompson, first being published in 1934. It represents a fascinating look at the life and work of Napoleon Bonaparte.

In his introduction Thompson describes the workings of Napoleon's writing activities, which, both as General and Emperor, were considerable. Napoleon had three secretaries; Bourrienne, MEneval and Fain, each of whom left memoirs in which they described Napoleon's working day and how he dealt with his vast correspondence. The Emperor wrote (or rather had his secretaries write) some 60,000 letters (probably many more than this), and from this it is estimated that he produced from 10 to 12 a day throughout the 15 years of his rule. Many of these were published in 1864, and the Editor discusses why many were omitted from publication (they either embarrassed people still alive or their immediate families, or tarnished the Napoleonic legend). Lists are included of the principal sources from which the letters in this volume have been selected.

The selection of 300 out of 41,000 was made to illustrate Napoleon's character, both as a soldier and as a ruler. Many of the letters have short notes after them to explain the subject matter in more detail and to put them into context, indeed, to understand better their subject matter there is a brief chronology of Napoleon Bonaparte and his life at the start of the letter sections.

The letters begin in 1784 when Napoleon was a 15 year old trainee soldier and end when he was an exiled Emperor aged 46. The letters reveal his views on his family, the clergy, the army, fellow soldiers, events taking place around him (e.g. the Revolution). There are a number of interesting letters to Josephine which reveal his feelings for her. One interesting piece of correspondence to the Directory in August 1796 gives his opinions of some of the generals serving in his army (including Berthier and Massena) which in some cases are less than flattering. He had views on just about every subject possible; including music, morals, the proposed invasion of England in 1798, naval strategy, censorship and the police, agriculture, Imperial portraits, education and women. These letters show him declaring, exhorting, abusing, persuading, bullying, charming. He comes across as wise, clearsighted, eloquent, heroic and extreme. He is compassionate, as is shown by his letter of condolence to Madame Brueys whose husband, Admiral Brueys, was in command of the French fleet destroyed by Nelson at Aboukir Bay, and was killed when his flagship L'Orient was blown up.

Napoleon's Letters represents a fascinating insight into the great man's mind, and illustrates the views that formulated his policies as a ruler. As such it will make an interesting addition to any library of books on Napoleon Bonaparte.

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