For nearly two decades he strode the world stage like a colossus – loved and despised, venerated and feared.
From his birth on the rugged island of Corsica to his final exile on the godforsaken island of St. Helena, Napoleon brings this extraordinary figure to life.
Napoleon bears passionate witness to a man whose charisma swayed an empire and sparked his exalted belief in his own destiny.
“The Summit of Greatness” recounts Napoleon’s brilliant conquest of most of Europe, including a legendary victory at Austerlitz.
To sustain his rule, he must keep fighting, but invading Spain reaches too far.
“The End” describes Napoleon’s downfall, including the invasion of Russia and his final battles. First exiled to Elba, he escapes to face final defeat at Waterloo.
Episode 1 – Napoleon’s Empire: To Destiny
Episode 2 – Napoleon’s Empire: Mastering Luck
Episode 3 – Napoleon’s Empire: The Summit of Ambition
Episode 4 – Napoleon’s Empire: The End
This four part series on the life of Napolean Bonapart was very interesting. I have watched some detailed documentaries on many of Napolean’s battles but did not understand them in the getter context of Napolean’s life and what was going on in Europe at the time.
It was interesting to learn about Napolean’s entire life from cradle to grave. I was completely unaware of Napolean’s youth and how he came into power.
The once aspect of this series that I thought was especially weak was the battle between Napolean and Russia. There was a lot of information missing with regards to how Russia had a scorched earth policy that eliminated any food resources for Napolean’s army on its march into Moscow.
This eventually caused Napolean’s army to starve combined with the fact that Moscow was burned to the ground leaving Napolean’s army with no where to sheltor.
European history has been filled with more warfare then I thought possible and this does not even include World War I, World War II, and all the wars before Napolean.
The millions upon millions of men lost in these wars shows the resilency of mankind to survive in Europe and else where.
It makes one appreciate the peaceful times we live in.
Arnold Vinette