logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2020
29m 19s

Young Napoleon (Radio Edit)

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Never mind the famous battles, who was the real Napoleon and what events turned him from a young Corsican officer to one of history’s greatest figures? Greg Jenner is joined by comedian Dan Schreiber and historian Dr Laura O’Brien.

Produced by Dan Morelle Script and research by Emma Nagouse Radio edit by Cornelius Mendez

A Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Up next
Aug 22
Kellogg Brothers: a family feud and the creation of a cereal empire
Greg Jenner is joined in nineteenth-century America by historian Dr Vanessa Heggie and comedian Ed Byrne to learn all about the feuding Kellogg Brothers. John and Will Kellogg were born into a large family in Battle Creek, Michigan, in the middle of the 1800s. Following a childho ... Show More
59m 9s
Aug 15
Alexandre Dumas: author of The Three Musketeers
Greg Jenner is joined in nineteenth-century France by historian Professor Olivette Otele and comedian Celya AB to learn about acclaimed novelist Alexandre Dumas. Alexandre was born to an innkeeper’s daughter and a legendary Black general who fought for Napoleon. After his father’ ... Show More
56m 7s
Aug 8
Empress Matilda: civil war in medieval England
Greg Jenner is joined in twelfth-century England by Dr Gabrielle Storey and comedian Cariad Lloyd to learn all about Empress Matilda and the medieval civil war known as the Anarchy. A granddaughter of William the Conqueror, Matilda was born into England’s new Norman royal family. ... Show More
57m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
Great Reputations: Napoleon
In the latest in our series charting the contested reputations of key historical figures, Laura O’Brien and David Andress discuss the life and afterlife of Napoleon Bonaparte, and explore why his story – including his rise to power and his role as the driving force in the bloodsh ... Show More
1h 2m
Jul 2023
Napoleon
Did Napoleon really come from nothing and conquer everything? The release of the trailer for Ridley Scott's new epic biopic film has created hot debate among fans of the famous Frenchman everywhere. In this episode from the archive Dan talks to Adam Zamoyski, a biographer of Napo ... Show More
38m 19s
Nov 2023
4. Napoleon: The Myth
Napoleon has become more than a man. His name is a concept, a way of being, a psychological term- the 'Napoleon' complex. Napoleon began working on his legacy during his exile on St Helena in the last years of his life, his journal- memoir 'The Memorial of Saint Helena' was Napol ... Show More
39m 1s
Jan 2024
1. Thomas Cochrane: The Real Master and Commander
Dan tells a story as dramatic, unlikely and exciting as any ever penned by an author about one of Britain's greatest sailors. Thomas Lord Cochrane was a naval commander with an illustrious career in the Napoleonic Wars who once strapped himself to a floating bomb, in a rising sto ... Show More
39m 6s
Aug 2023
Napoleon's Greatest Victory: Austerlitz
December 2nd is a special date for those fascinated by Napoleon Bonaparte. Not only is this the date he crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, but also the date of his greatest victory a year later, the Battle of Austerlitz. James Rogers is joined by world-leading historian A ... Show More
28m 46s
Aug 2022
Introducing: Napoleon
Noiser presents Napoleon, a new podcast examining the life and times of one of history’s most intriguing figures. You’ve heard the name Napoleon Bonaparte. But who was he, really? How did he become the most powerful man on Earth? And why didn't he stop, even once he had it all?A ... Show More
53m 41s
Nov 2023
Napoleon's Sex Life
Napoleon Bonaparte has been described in many way throughout history. Conquerer. Lover. Legend. Shrivelled Eel? Perhaps you haven't heard the last description before, but that's how a journalist described Napoleon's 'penis' when it went up for auction in 1977. Yes, you read that ... Show More
44m 44s
Dec 2023
Bonus: Napoleon in Egypt (with Grey History Podcast)
In 1798, an army of soldiers and scientists invaded Egypt. At their head, the young general Napoleon Bonaparte. The French Expedition had an enormous impact on Egypt's political history, and Egyptology as a field of scholarly inquiry. Remarkable discoveries, and dedicated study, ... Show More
1h 46m
Jul 2023
The North Pole Scandal
In the autumn of 1909, the American explorer Frederick Cook arrived in Copenhagen, claiming to have become the first person to reach the North Pole. His dramatic return had been eagerly anticipated, but one young journalist was skeptical. Philip Gibbs contested Cook's version of ... Show More
24m 59s
Nov 2023
COMING SOON! Napoleon Mini-Series
He clawed his way to the zenith of power with a relentless determination that few could fathom... he conquered empires, destroyed armies and out of the smouldering rubble of the French Revolution made himself the Emperor of France; join Dan and his expert guests for a four-part s ... Show More
59s