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Napoleon by Felix Markham: A Review Author felix Markham in his biography “Napoleon”, states he finds it a “bold undertaking for an historian””to embark on writing a new biography of Napoleon.”(p.1) He attempts to present an authentic profile of this important historical figure but readily admits it is difficult to keep from merely echoing past historians in writing about his achievements both on and off the battlefield. A professor of modern history, Markham has studied historical persons like Napoleon his whole life and set out to write this book based on newly discovered evidence, hoping to offer new insights into Napoleon’s thoughts and ambitions. With this new evidence, Markham takes the position that Napoleon consistently flexed his military muscle, which was embodied with fear and the authority of force, to achieve his political ambitions. Markham presents vivid recollections of Napoleon’s life, providing an in depth biography of his character. He begins with a brief note of his Corsican background to describe the roots of his subject and follows the course of his life through to his downfall on the island of St. Helena. However, he devotes most of his attention to the intervening years, years that he contends made Napoleon great. He was “born on a small island, dying in another, and, in between, such a fantastic career.”(p.254) Markham relies on two primary sources most often. The first is Napoleon’s own writings and dictations which he readily quotes to provide insights as to his mindset. Second, he draws on the memoirs of those close to and in contact with him. From these two sources, the author notes that from the beginning, Napoleon is shown as devoting all his thought to military matters. Markham shows his advancement in career from Lieutenant to his ultimate reigning title as Emperor, spanning the years 1785-1815 when he abdicated for the second and final time.
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