We received the following note. --RL Greenhill are proud to announce the publication of IN THE WORDS OF NAPOLEON. IN THE WORDS OF NAPOLEON: THE EMPEROR DAY BY DAY Edited by R. M. Johnston. With a New Introduction by Philip Haythornthwaite. IN THE WORDS OF NAPOLEON is a startling insight into the life and deeds of Napoleon. Derived from Napoleon's extensive correspondence and his other writings and recorded speech, this valuable compilation acts as a diary or journal encompassing the whole of the emperor's life. Napoleon's own words - as recorded on a particular day - are set down as 'entries', and these offer a unique glimpse into the major events of the Napoleonic period. The diary reveals Napoleon's thoughts and actions as his great life unfolded, and throw light on his attitudes to war, politics and the many varied personalities who surrounded - or opposed - him. As entries appear on an almost daily basis, the reader has the opportunity to trace the surging course of events as they happened, and to follow the rise and fall of the French emperor. It is fascinating to witness Bonaparte's day-to-day management of the army on campaign, and to read accounts of battle which were being set down even as events unfolded. We see the full range of emotions from Bonaparte - arrogance and ambition, calm instruction, occasional doubt and fear, regular bursts of impatience (at waiting for news), passionate reproach of others' neglect of him - sometimes within the cycle of a few days. Napoleon's education prepared him for a rise to military prominence at a very early age, but it was his absorption in - and indeed love of - the minutiae of military matters that cemented his all-embracing hold upon his army. He once wrote personally to his brother, Joseph, requesting confirmation of receipt of a shipment of shoes sent to Naples and, on the following day, would send him complete and exhaustive instructions on how to organise his troops, down to the most minor of details ('What do you want at Naples with two companies of horse artillery, that is to say, 120 men?'). It is fascinating to witness Bonaparte's day-to-day management of the army on campaign, and to read accounts of battle which were being set down even as events unfolded. We see the full range of emotions from Bonaparte - arrogance and ambition, calm instruction, occasional doubt and fear, regular bursts of impatience [at waiting for news], passionate reproach of others' neglect of him - sometimes within the cycle of a few days! The next issue of Greenhill Book News will feature an extract from the volume, enabling the reader to appreciate the breadth of information contained within this diary. Noted Napoleonic author Philip Haythornthwaite has provided a fascinating Introduction which looks at Napoleon's writings, and details the emperor's capacity for unremitting labour. He also provides a biographical details of the key personalities and places each year of the diary in context with valuable background information. As part of his introduction to the work, Philip Haythornthwaite recognises that among the most extensive of all sources is the Emperor's written correspondence: 'When considering Napoleon's correspondence, one impressive factor is its sheer volume. The number of letters and documents he wrote cannot be estimated with any great accuracy: various figures have been suggested, ranging from a little over 40,000 to 70,000. If the true figure approaches the upper limit, and the period covers the twenty years when Napoleon was most active (1796-1815), it would represent an output of almost ten documents per day, every day, many of them of great length and considerable complexity. To understand how Napoleon was able to cope with such a vast quantity of correspondence, it is useful to consider his methods of working. Particularly after he had assumed political power, relatively little of his correspondence was written in his own hand, perhaps fortunately, as his handwriting became notoriously illegible. Whether at one of his palaces or in his tent in the field, Napoleon customarily dictated his letters to one or more secretaries [see picture], who attempted to keep pace with his rapid thoughts. His first principal secretary, Louis-Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne (1769-1834), described the office at the Tuileries where Napoleon's work was carried out. It contained two tables, one very grand and beautiful, almost in the centre of the room, and an armchair with its back to the fireplace, in which Napoleon sat. ... Bourrienne's own table was very plain and stood by a window, through which he could catch a glimpse of chestnut trees, but otherwise could not be distracted, as he had to stand up to see anyone in the gardens. It was from here - or sometimes from a settee - that Napoleon would dictate his correspondence. Often, he would do this on the move, striding back and forth across the room, and composing his letters in a conversational style as if he were speaking personally to the recipient. So rapid was his delivery that the secretaries found it necessary to employ a form of shorthand, or even to attempt to memorise the content, the letters being written out in full subsequently, before being presented to Napoleon for his approval and signature. To his secretaries, it must have seemed that Napoleon was scarcely human, such was his capacity for work. ... A notable aspect of Napoleon's apparently inexhaustible capacity for work was his habit of labouring at all times of the day and night. He often went to bed at ten or eleven at night and, after a short rest, was up again at twelve, ready to begin work once more. ... he called it 'after-midnight presence of mind'. Napoleon once remarked to General Clarke of his need for little sleep, to which the minister replied ruefully that he was well aware of it, for it was a source of torment to all of Napoleon's subordinates! An example of this is apparent in a story concerning Pierre Daru, Intendant-General, controller of Napoleon's household and, from 1811, Secretary of State. On one occasion . . . the Emperor called him up, after midnight, to write from his dictation: M. Daru was so completely overcome with fatigue that he scarcely knew what he was writing; at length he could hold out no longer, and he fell asleep over his paper. After enjoying a sound nap, he awoke and, to his astonishment, perceived the Emperor by his side quietly engaged in writing. The shortness of the candles informed him that his slumber had been of considerable duration. While he sat for a few moments overwhelmed with confusion, his eyes met those of the Emperor, who said to him: 'Well, Sir, you see I have been doing your work, since you would not do it yourself. I suppose you have eaten a hearty supper, and passed a pleasant evening; but business must not be neglected.' 'I, pass a pleasant evening, Sire?' said M. Daru; 'I have been for several nights without sleep, and closely engaged. Of this your Majesty now sees the consequence, and I am exceedingly sorry for it.;' 'Why did you not inform me of this?' said the Emperor. 'I do not want to kill you. Go to bed. Good night, M. Daru.' IN THE WORDS OF NAPOLEON: THE EMPEROR DAY BY DAY is compiled by R.M. Johnston and presents each year in the Emperor's life, as told through his letters, bulletins, and recorded speech. Philip Haythornthwaite provides a new introduction to the 'diary' and summarises year-by-year the events of the Emperor's life, from his youthful military education to the final, bitter exile on St. Helena. IN THE WORDS OF NAPOLEON: THE EMPEROR DAY BY DAY has 416 pages, and will be available this month from Greenhill Books, Park House, 1 Russell Gardens, London NW11 9NN (Tel 020 8458 6314, e-mail sales@greenhillbooks.com). Price: £25.00. Distributed in the USA by Stackpole Books, 5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (Tel (800) 732 3669, e-mail sales@stackpolebooks.com). Price: $49.95. Back to 2nd Quarter 2002 List of News Items Back to Master List of News Items Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 2002 by Coalition Web, Inc. 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