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Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5)
Genre: Biography, History, Military History, Non-Fiction

Book Review:
The 'Discoveries' series has a well-earned reputation for producing beautifully illustrated, concise, and authoritative introductions to complex historical figures and events. Thierry Lentz's Napoleon: My ambition was great is a perfect addition to this celebrated series, offering a fresh and insightful portrait of one of history's most enduring and controversial figures.

Lentz, a leading expert on Napoleon and the director of the Napoleon Foundation in Paris, is the ideal guide for this journey. In just over 100 pages, he manages to capture the extraordinary arc of Napoleon Bonaparte's life with remarkable clarity and balance. The book traces his rise from his birth in Corsica in 1769, through his brilliant military career during the French Revolution, to his seizure of power as First Consul and his self-coronation as Emperor of the French in 1804.

The narrative then follows his relentless campaigns across Europe, from the triumphs of Austerlitz to the disasters of the Russian invasion and the final defeat at Waterloo. Lentz does not simply recount the battles; he also explores Napoleon's profound impact as a statesman and lawgiver, whose Napoleonic Code continues to influence legal systems around the world. The book also delves into the personal side of Napoleon, his complex relationships, and his character—the ambition, the genius, the ruthless determination, and the melancholy.

The book's final chapters, covering Napoleon's exile on the remote island of Saint Helena, are particularly moving. Lentz captures the pathos of the fallen emperor's final years, as he dictated his memoirs and crafted the legend that would shape his posthumous reputation.

What truly sets this book apart are the illustrations. As with all 'Discoveries' volumes, the pages are filled with a rich array of paintings, engravings, documents, and maps from the period. These images are not mere decoration; they are integral to the story, bringing the world of Napoleon vividly to life. From portraits of Napoleon and his family to scenes of battles and political events, the visual material creates an immersive experience.

Napoleon: My ambition was great is an ideal introduction for anyone new to the subject, and a delightful refresher for those already familiar with the story. It is a compact, elegant, and deeply informative book that captures the drama and significance of a man who, as Lentz shows, still haunts the imagination of Europe.