With so many conflicting accounts of his personal life and military exploits, you might find yourself wondering what you remember about Napoleon Bonaparte from high school. Whether you're a history buff or simply newly interested in this legendary figure, there's a lot to learn. The French Emperor had an enormous influence on late 18th and early 19th century European politics. He was a brilliant military strategist, and his rise to power and subsequent fall makes for an absolutely gripping story.
Happily, there are a whole lot of fantastic Napoleon audiobooks and podcasts that make for good listening. Whether you're looking for a Napoleon biography, a fictional account of his life, an in-depth record of his military campaigns, or historical nonfiction that centers on his wife, Josephine, there's something for you on this list.
Though all of these books focus on the Napoleonic era, they approach it from different angles and offer unique insight into what was happening around Europe at the time. Even if you already know the basics, you're sure to be surprised.
If you're looking for a comprehensive biography that's accessible, engaging, and insightful, Andrew Roberts's Napoleon: A Life is definitely the place to start. This masterwork takes listeners through every facet of its subject's life, delving into his military brilliance, statesmanship, personal relationships, and more. An accomplished historian, Roberts makes good use of primary documents, drawing on Napoleon's thousands of published letters as well as his memoirs. This is a vivid portrait of one of history's most fascinating people and a must-hear for anyone interested in Napoleonic history.
Listeners willing to embark on an epic journey will want to start with Michael Broers's two-volume Napoleon biography. Like Roberts, Broers draws on Napoleon's published correspondence, using his own words to illustrate the public and private lives of a brilliant and volatile leader. The first volume, Soldier of Destiny takes listeners through the events of 1807, at which point Napoleon had conquered a huge swath of Europe. Audie Award-winning narrator Simon Vance matches the author's enthusiasm for his subject as well as his authority.
If you're looking for an entry point into the history of the French Revolution, Europe between 1789 and 1814, and Napoleon's reign, this collection of 48 lectures is an outstanding choice. Historian Dr. Suzanne M. Desan provides an entertaining and thorough exploration of the era that helped shaped modern Europe. Part of The Great Courses series, the lectures have the feel of a great book (or a novel—the events recounted are often wildly surprising), while offering listeners a way to dip and in and out of the material without becoming overwhelmed.
While viewed by many at the time as a queen with nearly unlimited wealth and power, the reality for Josephine Bonaparte was complicated. Listeners craving more insight into Napoleon's alluring older wife will not be disappointed with this in-depth biography. Josephine delves into the darker side of her marriage, exploring how Napoleon's power and public image affected his most intimate relationships. Carolly Erickson's inviting prose, brought to life by narrator S. Patricia Bailey, offers a full portrait of a resilient woman and her tumultuous life.
Few women scholars have written extensively about Napoleon, a fact Ruth Scurr explores in this intricate and unconventional biography. Instead of tracking Napoleon's life through his many military campaigns and famous battles, she untangles his life and legacy through the lens of plants and the natural world. She explores the many gardens, green spaces, olive groves, and other natural landscapes Napoleon cultivated and interacted with throughout his life. The result is a powerful portrait of the man himself and the many ordinary people—from gardeners to mapmakers—who were caught up in his orbit.
Steven Crossley's steady and straightforward narration of all 35 hours of this extensive history will keep military history buffs easily engaged. Alexander Mikaberidze's definitive account of the Napoleonic wars traces the major and minor battles, from Russia to Waterloo, that defined Napoleon's empire. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the ins and outs of Napoleon's military strategy, and for listeners looking for a comprehensive introduction to how the wars played out in Europe and America.
Many of the audiobooks on this list are long—for good reason! If you're looking for a shorter but still excellent book about Napoleon, try this listen about his time in exile. In The Invisible Emperor, Mark Braude focuses exclusively on Napoleon's 10-month confinement on the tiny island of Elba and his eventual escape, which led to his recapture of Paris and eventual defeat at Waterloo. At just over nine hours, it's an in-depth look at this important period of Napoleon's life and has the thrilling pacing of a dramatic adventure.
Podcasts are a fantastic way to learn more about the legendary emperor and his era. There are a lot of history podcasts that touch on Napoleon, but few of them go into as much depth as The Age of Napoleon, produced and hosted by European history scholar Everett Rummage. With more than 100 episodes, varying in length from 20 minutes to an hour, this podcast will provide answers to every Napoleon-related question you can dream up. Episodes focus on the broad historical patterns of the time, as well as the smaller (and often forgotten) stories of the ordinary people who lived under Napoleon's rule.
If you already know a bit about Napoleon and are looking to expand your historical context and deepen your knowledge of his legacy, look no further than The Siècle. Hosted by journalist David H. Montgomery, this podcast focuses on French (and broader European) history between 1814 (the year of Napoleon's exile) and World War I. Napoleon's influence in Europe extended far beyond his reign, and this show does an excellent job analyzing it.
Nonfiction certainly isn't the only way to learn more about Napoleon. If you prefer historical fiction, Simon Scarrow's four-book series on Napoleon and his nemesis Arthur Wesley, the future Duke of Wellington, is a fantastic gateway. The quartet of novels tells the intersecting life stories of these two men—a French rebel and a British nobleman—and their calling to lead dueling empires. Switching between their two points of view, Young Bloods begins as both Napoleon and Wellington enter into military service for their respective countries. Jonathan Keeble's excellent narration only heightens the inherent drama.
With so much literature about Napoleon's military campaigns, there are precious few recounting the other side of the battlefield. Enter Sharpe's Havoc, the seventh installment in the Richard Sharpe historical fiction series. In this novel, Richard finds himself facing the terrifying might of Napoleon and his men as they invade Portugal via Spain. Author Bernard Cornwell is known for his incredible attention to detail, and that savvy is on full display here, dropping the listener right into the brutal battles on the Iberian Peninsula, with Rupert Farley providing his excellent narration.
Have you ever wanted to experience a story about Napoleon with less of the blood, guts, and military intrigue? Well, The Queen's Fortune, a beautiful work of historical romance fiction, might just be the book for you. This story stars Desiree Clary, a woman wrapped up in the savagery of the French Revolution, who has a chance encounter with a striking young soldier with lofty ambitions. As the dust settles in France, Desiree finds herself in a passionate (and secretive) courtship with the already-married Napoleon Bonaparte himself. Their romance is challenged by a rapidly changing French society, as the couple navigates the newly minted aristocracy with Napoleon's influence growing day by day.
