Napoleon's Commentaries on Julius Caesar: A New English Translation

Napoleon dictated a commentary on the wars of Julius Caesar while in exile on St Helena, providing a fascinating and authoritative insight into Caesar's wars and Napoleon's own thinking and attitudes. This is the first full English translation of Napoleon's work.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 127 pages
\n Publication date: 22 January 2018
\n Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
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While exiled on St Helena, Napoleon dictated a comprehensive commentary on the wars of Julius Caesar, which was eventually published in 1836. Spanning nearly two millennia, this work offers a fascinating and authoritative insight into Caesar's military campaigns. In each chapter, Napoleon succinctly summarizes the events of a specific campaign, followed by his own military observations and insights.

While some aspects of warfare had evolved, such as the introduction of firearms, many fundamental aspects remained unchanged. These include the rate of movement of armies, relying heavily on the power of horses or human labor for construction work, the use of military techniques like bridge construction, and the territories fought over by Caesar and later by Napoleon.

Napoleon's commentary not only provides valuable insights into Caesar's wars but also sheds light on Napoleon's own military thinking and attitudes. He points out errors and shortcomings on the part of Caesar and his enemies, offering suggestions for what they could have done differently. Remarkably, this is considered the first complete English translation of Napoleon's work.

Napoleon Bonaparte, born into an obscure Corsican family, rose through the ranks of the French army to become Emperor of France, conquering vast territories across Europe and earning a reputation as a military genius. During his exile on St Helena, he dedicated himself to writing this comprehensive commentary, showcasing his profound knowledge and analytical skills.

The translator, RA Maguire, is a former civil engineer with a longstanding interest in military and ancient history. His meticulous translation ensures that Napoleon's words are conveyed with clarity and precision, allowing readers to appreciate the depth and significance of his observations on the wars of Julius Caesar.

\n Weight: 444g\n
Dimension: 242 x 164 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526716279\n \n