In 1987, the Napoleonic Society of America challenged its membership to write a description of "Napoleon the Man" in no more than 275 words. David Chandler won the silver medal award of the NSA with the following entry.

In youth he cut an unprepossessing figureŃshort In stature, awkward in gait, quaint in speech. Nicknamed "paille-au-nez" at Brienne, a decade later Parisian cocottes dubbed him "puss-in-boots". "How funny he is, this Bonaparte", opined Josephine.

Yet, as many discovered, his compelling grey-eyed gaze could put a soul in thrall. Napoleon was charisma personified. "So it is that I", admitted the embittered, feared, war-hardened General Vandamme, "who fears neither God nor Devil, trembled like a child when I approached him". "A moment later he put on his general's hat", recalled Massena, "and seemed to have grown two feet". In 1815 even the crew of HMS Northumberland succumbed to the stout little Emperor's magnetic appeal; here was a man of powerful personality indeed.

Feared in war, admired in council, Napoleon was ever the supreme opportunist. A workaholic, his intellectual powers knew few limits until, latterly, delusion clouded reality. Millions died -- but there was an outstanding creative achievement too, in lasting codes of law, systems of education, and commerce.

As Talleyrand observed: "He knows all; he does all; he can do anything." Yet, as Minister Mole perceived: "Although Napoleon's common sense amounted to genius, somehow he never quite knew where the possible left off.

Napoleon was -- with lapses -- a loyal husband, an affectionate step-father and a doting parent to his infant son, but callous to his staff. Ruthless and cunning in debate, he waged warfare pitilessly, yet spoke much of peace, Pax Napoleonica. Was he a good or evil man -- or both -- a "great bad man" as Clarendon said of Cromwell? Perhaps. But he indelibly marked History.

More Chandler:

Chandler Interview
Chandler's Napoleon The Man
Chandler's ROTC Speech (excerpt), 11 June 1970
Caricatures of Chandler
Nursemaid's Cautionary Song (1830)

Related Interviews:

Harold T. Parker

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