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mj470's review
4.0
Wow. There is so much fascinating and intertwined European history I never learned in school. The writing in this massive book is exceptional and very engaging. The pace is very quick too giving a survey of the many parts of society that were affected by Napoleon's magnetic campaign. I particularly liked how there were devoted sections to art, music, science, philosophy etc. At times I felt like it was harder to get through, but overall very informative and engaging.
kevin_barney's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I found this fascinating. I knew some highlights of this period but not much. I thought this writing was both broad and thorough. His is the first Durant I’ve read, and I will pick up more of their books.
spinnerroweok's review
4.0
This finishes the Durant's Story of Civilization series. While he ended the previous book with an envoi telling everyone he was finished, he starts this book telling how he got bored with retirement and popped out one more hefty tome. Too bad he didn't live another 50 years. The books get progressively better. I recommend the series, but not necessarily in order. The first books cover too much time with less detail as less information is available. Also, Durant really develops his voice throughout the city offering more direct commentary throughout. The series ranges from fascinating biogrpapies to sometimes tedious explorations of philosophical debates that don't make much sense to the modern reader.
endlessmidnight's review
5.0
An incredibly satisfying conclusion to the story of civilization. Afterwards, it's hard to judge and hence this makes a lot of sense.
fallchicken's review against another edition
5.0
Yup, I've finished. Not just with Napoleon but with the Durants' story of civilization. What a journey!
This book is especially good because it's closely related to contemporary history. Worth a read on its own for a balanced look the the time.
This book is especially good because it's closely related to contemporary history. Worth a read on its own for a balanced look the the time.
sardonic_writer's review
3.0
It's a very in-depth overview of 1792-1820 or so. The most complete section is Book 1, which covers the French revolution. It's often very dry, but the best part is this passage in 1815 when Napoleon returns from exile in Elba, and a battalion is sent by Louis XVIII to arrest him:
"Nearing them, [Napoleon] stopped and addressed them: "Soldiers of the Fifth, I am your Emperor; do you recognize me?" He opened his military greatcoat, and said, "If there is among you a soldier who would like to kill his Emperor, here I am." Almost to a man the battalion lowered its arms, and cried out, "Vive l'Empereur!"... [Napoleon] told them, "Everything is settled, in ten days we shall be in the Tuileries."
And he was right.
"Nearing them, [Napoleon] stopped and addressed them: "Soldiers of the Fifth, I am your Emperor; do you recognize me?" He opened his military greatcoat, and said, "If there is among you a soldier who would like to kill his Emperor, here I am." Almost to a man the battalion lowered its arms, and cried out, "Vive l'Empereur!"... [Napoleon] told them, "Everything is settled, in ten days we shall be in the Tuileries."
And he was right.
darwin8u's review
4.0
The end of the Durant's Story of Civilization. What the hell am I going to do with my time now?
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