"Memoirs and Maxims" Topic

I once read that Napoleon is considered the father of modern Europe and more books have been written 'about' him than both Jesus and Elvis combined. How about books written 'by' him; are they worth reading? Anyone actually read his memoirs or his book on military maxims?

I have his Maxims and they are worth having. The best source for at least trying to understand the way Napoleon thought is to get copies of his voluminous Correspondence and go through that.

I would ignore anything by Bourrienne, as they were ghost-written and are inaccurate and unreliable.

The Mind of Napoleon by JC Herold as well as a book on Napoleon's writings by Jay Luvaas are also important.

Good biographies on Napoleon are also excellent, such as those by Vincent Cronin and Michael Broers. I would stay away from the 'biographies' by Schom and Dwyer, for example, as they are inaccurate and are generally anti-Napoleon diatribes.

My book of his Maxims was in the bookshelf in the toilet. It ended up in the local charity shop.

Ideas like crossing a river against opposition requires occupying both banks……. did not inspire me. de Chair's Napoleon on Napoleon was almost worse. This is meant to be his own account of his actions. Meant…

The chap himself was no Messiah, but I suspect far more inspired than most authors suggest…….at his earlier best.

Elvis I was never a fan of. (Mrs Deadhead is a devotee still).

The other, JC,, well I grew up an RC and have never heard anything remotely like what he was said to have preached, from any other faith. Totally out of the thinking for His time, 2,000 years ago. The Love your neighbour thing, or turn the other cheek…shame about the Crusades and wars of Religion though.

Deadhead, I don't think you can blame Jesus or any other leader for their followers (when the followers completely disregarded the specific instructions).

There is a saying: It's not that Christianity has been found wanting, rather it has been found difficult and not tried.

Not sure about Elvis, although his followers would not necessarily be a recommendation for him. (I am sure Mrs Deadhead is an exception to that)

I have read Napoleons Maxims but not his memoirs, the version I have is from a collection of military authors printed to help train the huge amount of new officers entering the service in WWII.