Publications

Retired aeronautical engineer become historian, Jacques Macé has written a book on the much-maligned Charles de Montholon. Whilst accepting that the general was no saint, he nevertheless manages to give a more balanced description than that presented by other authors. Macé not only brings to light Albine de Montholon’s emotionally-charged Chant de Moïne (published anonymously […]

Jacques-Olivier Boudon’s latest book.University professor, disciple of Jean Tulard, and Tulard’s successor as president of the Institut Napoléon, Jacques-Olivier Boudon has written a Histoire du Consulat et de l’Empire, published by Perrin. Five hundred pages of useful, precise and where necessary passionate commentary on the 15 years of the reign of Napoléon Bonaparte. (Th. L.) […]

Napoleon 1813 by Hezi ShelahThis book tells the story of a crucial year in Napoleon’s life, 1813. Hezi Shelah’s theory is that the characteristics of the military campaigns of 1813 were so different from previous wars that 1813 in fact witnessed, in effect, the first world war. Born in Israel in 1934, Hezi Shelah served […]

Contents include: The Imperial Guard Line Infantry Light Infantry Troops not of the Line Colonial troops Auxiliary Troops Line Cavalry Artillery Appendices: Demi-Brigades Raised from Volunteer Units Volunteer Battalions, 1792-96 Regimental Establishments The Growth of the Infantry, 1792-96 The Growth of the Imperial Guard Reorganisation of the Infantry, 12 May 1814 Departmental Legions, 3 August […]

A new general history book for undergraduates and general readers, The Nineteenth Century comprises eight essays: T.C.W. Blanning: Introduction: 'The End of the Old Regime', Robert Tombs: 'Politics', Colin Heywood: 'Society', Niall Ferguson: 'The European Economy, 1815-1914', James Sheehan: 'Culture', Paul W. Schroeder: 'International Politics, Peace, and War, 1815-1914', A.G. Hopkins: 'Overseas Expansion, Imperialism, and […]

A new history general book for undergraduates and general readers, The Eighteenth Century comprises eight essays: T.C.W. Blanning: Introduction: ‘The Beneficiaries and Casualties of Expansion’, Julian Swann: ‘Politics and the State in Eighteenth Century Europe, Christof Dipper: ‘Orders and Classes: Eighteenth Century Society Under Pressure’, Sheilagh Ogilvie: ‘The European Economy in the Eighteenth Century’, Derek […]

This short and very readable book claims to have discovered the real reasons for Napoleon III’s invasion of the Sonora region of Mexico. Not imperial nostalgia and attempts to rival his uncle but rather a severe need for silver caused by the bi-metallic crisis in France 1853 – 1865 (itself resulting from the sudden influx […]

Winner of Italy's prestigious Strega literary prize, N. recounts Napoleon's three hundred days spent on Elba before his escape and return to power during the 'Hundred Days'. The novel turns around Napoleon's relations with a local intellectual, Martino Acquabona, whom the emperor appoints as his librarian. As a result, Martino gets to know Napoleon and […]

Following Dava Sobel’s success with Longitude, Denis Guedj here recounts the story of the creation of the metre. Pierre Méchain and Jean-Baptiste Delambre set out from the Tuileries on 24 June 1792 heading for Barcelona and Dunkerque respectively. The idea was for these two men to leave their destinations and to meet halfway in Rodez. […]

Stemming from a conference of the same name held at the Institute of Historical Research in London on 18/19 April, 1997, this interesting collection of essays details the complex and contradictory legacy of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire. It is divided into three main sections, ‘The Apparatus of State’, ‘The Legacy of Annexation’ […]