Episode 34: The Road to Leoben

Bonaparte returns to Italy after Leoben, and is already coming into his own as a political figure. He is reunited with Josephine, and enjoys an opulent court life at Mombello. We trace Napoleon's development as a statesman as he defies the Directory and brings Venice and Genoa un ... Show More

We take a break from the narrative to answer listener questions on topics ranging from the organization of the revolutionary armies to pop culture to alternate history hypotheticals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

While Napoleon fought in Italy, French politics oscillated dangerously between left and right. Finally, a fraught election and divisions within the Directory tore the system apart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 

Within the turmoil of the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte stands out to his military superiors, first by defeating the British at Toulon, then by putting down a royalist mob in Paris when outnumbered four to one, with a “whiff of grapeshot”. Having finally shaken off the hu ... Show More

With Napoleon deposed and in exile, it appears to be game over. But even now he is planning a comeback. After the mother of all prison breaks, Napoleon marches back up through France. Reinstating himself as emperor, he will rally his troops for one last battle... As featured on R ... Show More

With Napoleon deposed and in exile, it appears to be game over. But even now he is planning a comeback. After the mother of all prison breaks, Napoleon marches back up through France. Reinstating himself as emperor, he will rally his troops for one last battle... A Noiser product ... Show More

After a quickie wedding, Napoleon Bonaparte dashes south to take command of the French Army in Italy. Here he announces himself with a devastating display of battlefield brilliance. In Milan, he gets a taste for political rule and good living. Napoleon will return to Paris both a ... Show More

After escaping exile on Elba, Napoleon marches back to power. But the British Duke of Wellington is on his way to Waterloo to end the Napoleonic era. When the battle subsides, what’s left of Napoleon’s legacy? And what is his legacy today?Join Legacy+ for bonus episodes, early ac ... Show More

After a quickie wedding, Napoleon Bonaparte dashes south to take command of the French Army in Italy. Here he announces himself with a devastating display of battlefield brilliance. In Milan, he gets a taste for political rule and good living. Napoleon will return to Paris both a ... Show More

Napoleon’s military success has cowed a continent but, in Russia, he meets almost unimaginable horror. He was defeated, he says, not by the Tsar, but by winter. His subjects aren’t so sure. And his enemies see an opportunity.Join Legacy+ for bonus episodes, early access, Q&A's, f ... Show More

Napoleon’s blockade of Britain begins. Amidst the fall-out, France launches an invasion of Spain. The Duke of Wellington arrives on the scene. After another dispute with Russia, Bonaparte assembles his biggest ever army. It will do the unthinkable and march on Moscow... A Noiser ... Show More

Napoleon’s blockade of Britain begins. Amidst the fall-out, France launches an invasion of Spain. The Duke of Wellington arrives on the scene. After another dispute with Russia, Bonaparte assembles his biggest ever army. It will do the unthinkable and march on Moscow... As featur ... Show More

After a coup puts Napoleon in power, he gets to work shoring up his authority and crafting his legacy. He overhauls the country’s legal system, and spends years fighting wars across Europe. With decisive victories, he positions France as a world superpower — and himself as empero ... Show More