Inspiration Bonaparte?: German Culture and Napoleonic Occupation

Napoleon Bonaparte is a fascinating, ambivalent, and polarizing figure, inspiring both enthusiastic support and outraged dissent in the German-speaking states. The fourteen essays in Inspiration Bonaparte examine the mythologization of Napoleon in German literature and explore the impact of his occupation on philosophy, painting, politics, the sciences, education, and film. These contradictory attitudes reflect his enduring status as a figure through whom the trauma of shattered late-Enlightenment expectations and evolving concepts of identity politics is mediated.

Format: Hardback
Length: 354 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2021
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Napoleon Bonaparte, a captivating and enigmatic figure, has left an indelible mark on history, spanning two centuries since his demise in 1821. Opinions on his legacy vary widely, with debates surrounding whether he should be celebrated as the champion of the French Revolution or condemned for its corruption. This enduring debate reflects the profound impact he had on the world, particularly in Germany.

The rise of Bonaparte, accompanied by a pattern of Franco-German hostilities, further strained the already uneasy German relationship with the French Revolution. This period witnessed enthusiastic support for Bonaparte among some segments of German society, as well as fierce opposition from others. The fourteen essays in Inspiration Bonaparte delve into the mythologization of Napoleon in German literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, exploring the profound impact of his occupation on various fields, including philosophy, painting, politics, the sciences, education, and film.

The contributions from esteemed scholars highlight the contradictory attitudes held by prominent German thinkers toward Bonaparte. These diverse perspectives reflect the enduring significance of Bonaparte as a figure who mediates the trauma of shattered late-Enlightenment expectations of sociopolitical progress and evolving concepts of identity politics.

Through his enduring presence in German literature, philosophy, painting, and other artistic mediums, Bonaparte continues to shape and influence the cultural landscape. His legacy serves as a reminder of the complex and multifaceted nature of historical figures, whose actions and legacies can evoke both admiration and criticism. As we reflect on the past, it is essential to engage with these narratives and understand the ways in which they continue to shape our understanding of history and society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781640140943