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The Real Life of Napoleon Bonaparte

Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825), The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries, 1812
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Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825), The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries, 1812

With Ridley Scott’s film “Napoleon” in theaters, we’re talking today about the real "Petit Caporal," a normal man who lived a life that was anything but small.

Napoleon the man is often obscured by layers of myth and exaggeration. In his 2018 biography, historian Adam Zamoyski peels back the misconceptions, uncovering instead a rather ordinary man. Rather than accepting the legend of Napoleon’s cunning and genius, Zamoyski says that luck, timing and good PR made Napoleon what he was. And he did build lasting institutions for the common good, even if his greatest enemy was often himself. Adam Zamoyski joins us today at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to talk about the real Napoleon Bonaparte, and to offer his take on the new film.

GUEST

Adam Zamoyski | An historian whose written several books about Napoleon, including 2018’s “Napoleon: A Life” [Amazon|Bookshop].

Airdate: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

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