Читать книгу Napoléon Bonaparte - Fahed Aslan Agha Al Barazi - Страница 5

Foreword

The book on Napoleon written by my late Father Fahed Aslan Agha Al Barazi, took over 12 years to write. Taking his time in writing the book, he would choose only moments when he felt inspired and at ease in doing so, going into much scholarship and details to produce a unique and invigorating book on the life of Napoleon which would be ranked as one of the best books written on the subject. During the early writing of the book he once remarked to me that he wanted to show Napoleon from a personal level, from Napoleon’s inner mind and psychology. From the way the great man thought and acted during battle, when he was with his Marshals, to his personal life. And I think he succeeded well at that. What amazed me most about the book in its entirety is how it brings words to life, and one feels as though they are living the battle field events, compassionate to all that is going on around them as the events unfold. Honor was always the means and ends in Napoleon’s actions and quests, as my Father used to say. Loyalty and courage were the primary virtues that Napoleon would seek in his Grand Armee, not titles of Nobility in order to rise up in rank, and most of his army were loyal to him till the end, displaying exemplary courage during battle against all odds, inspired by their Emperor’s heroic actions, who had his horse shot underneath him no less than 6 times during different battles. Napoleon though had to also deal with betrayal, ingratitude, jealousy, and disloyalty from some in his inner circle including a few of his most entrusted army generals, ministers or even from his own close family members. The book does not shy away either in describing Napoleon’s errors and misjudgements whether strategic or during battle, which cost him his Empire that he built at the end. This is to take nothing from the great battles that Napoleon fought which are well documented in the two volumes of this book.

Naploeon’s genius was a combination of many factors, from his abnormal levels of energy, his refined and highly efficient art of strategic and tactical warfare which were new at the time, his cognizant memory and capability to understand what was ongoing in the battle field in its finest of details, to his momentous ability to inspire others against all odds in war. He may well be termed as one of the greatest of conquerors and military minds in history, and though most would label him as a dictator, many of his characteristics where unlike any dictator before or after him, being instead noble in character and just towards his people and others, where France during his rule was an enlightened and progressive nation. From his love of his family to his country, his love and pursuit of knowledge to his quest for the betterment of his Nation through reforms on several fronts, his quest for glory to France towards the goal of unity of Europe, are some of the virtues that made Napoleon highly popular amongst his own people to other Allied Nations, and even admired and respected amongst his foes.

I hope this book brings to readers the same passion and enrichment that it bought to me in this two volume comprehensive book on the whole life of Napoleon.

Aslan Fahed Aslan Agha Al Barazi