Before Napoleon was a leader, he was a reader.
He read everything he could get his hands on–history, philosophy, politics, etc.
Here are the 10 books that influenced him the most:
He read everything he could get his hands on–history, philosophy, politics, etc.
Here are the 10 books that influenced him the most:
1) "Lives" by Plutarch
Napoleon discovered this book when he was 9 years old.
From it, he learned about two legendary figures–Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar.
From that point on, Napoleon dreamed of following in their footsteps of military glory and leadership.
Napoleon discovered this book when he was 9 years old.
From it, he learned about two legendary figures–Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar.
From that point on, Napoleon dreamed of following in their footsteps of military glory and leadership.
2) "Julie" by Rousseau
Napoleon's early readings of Rousseau shaped his politics, philosophy, emotional infrastructure, and writing ambitions.
Napoleon copied Rousseau's writing style, wrote similar books to his, and used his books as a template for his love letters.
Napoleon's early readings of Rousseau shaped his politics, philosophy, emotional infrastructure, and writing ambitions.
Napoleon copied Rousseau's writing style, wrote similar books to his, and used his books as a template for his love letters.
3) "Florentine Histories" by Machiavelli
It should be no surprise that Napoleon was a student of Machiavelli.
He "devoured" Machiavelli's book to learn more about Italy and its governance.
And it paid off, at age 36 Napoleon became King of Italy.
It should be no surprise that Napoleon was a student of Machiavelli.
He "devoured" Machiavelli's book to learn more about Italy and its governance.
And it paid off, at age 36 Napoleon became King of Italy.
4) "History of the Peloponnesian War" by Thucydides
This book combined many of Napoleon's favorite topics–war, history, and strategy–into one incredible book.
Napoleon studied the ancient Greeks and had notebooks filled with lessons about their religion, city states, and laws.
This book combined many of Napoleon's favorite topics–war, history, and strategy–into one incredible book.
Napoleon studied the ancient Greeks and had notebooks filled with lessons about their religion, city states, and laws.
5) "The Spirit of Law" by Montesquieu
Napoleon studied Montesquieu's work and his famous treatise on political theory.
He learned about the importance of having a system with proper checks & balances, separation of powers, and the moral obligation to protect civil liberties.
Napoleon studied Montesquieu's work and his famous treatise on political theory.
He learned about the importance of having a system with proper checks & balances, separation of powers, and the moral obligation to protect civil liberties.
6) "The Odyssey" by Homer
Napoleon enjoyed Homer's book for his "depiction of military matters judging them to be highly realistic."
He would give it to his men to read and discuss.
He related to Odysseus's situation of being at war and wanting to return home to his wife.
Napoleon enjoyed Homer's book for his "depiction of military matters judging them to be highly realistic."
He would give it to his men to read and discuss.
He related to Odysseus's situation of being at war and wanting to return home to his wife.
7) "Paul et Virginie" by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre
This was one of Napoleon's favorite fiction books.
The book resonated so strongly with him that he brought a copy of it with him to exile to Saint Helena 30 years later.
This was one of Napoleon's favorite fiction books.
The book resonated so strongly with him that he brought a copy of it with him to exile to Saint Helena 30 years later.
8) "Cinna" by Pierre Corneille
Napoleon loved Corneille's work so much that he claimed he would have made him a "Prince or prime minister" if he were alive.
Napoleon saw "Cinna" 12 times and claimed to have read it countless times more.
Napoleon loved Corneille's work so much that he claimed he would have made him a "Prince or prime minister" if he were alive.
Napoleon saw "Cinna" 12 times and claimed to have read it countless times more.
9) "Oedipe" by Voltaire
Voltaire was one of Napoleon's favorite writers and this was his favorite play.
Napoleon saw the play 9 times and claimed Voltaire's adaptation of Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" contained the finest scene in the whole of French drama.
Voltaire was one of Napoleon's favorite writers and this was his favorite play.
Napoleon saw the play 9 times and claimed Voltaire's adaptation of Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" contained the finest scene in the whole of French drama.
10) "Werther" by Goethe
This was Napoleon's favorite book.
He loved it so much that he summoned the author to his court.
Napoleon saw Goether as the greatest writer of the century and said "I studied it like a criminal judge studies his papers."
This was Napoleon's favorite book.
He loved it so much that he summoned the author to his court.
Napoleon saw Goether as the greatest writer of the century and said "I studied it like a criminal judge studies his papers."
If you want to learn more about Napoleon's books and their influence on his life...
Check out my friend @napsarkozy's book "Napoleon's Library"
amzn.to/4emN0O5
Check out my friend @napsarkozy's book "Napoleon's Library"
amzn.to/4emN0O5
PS: If you're looking for more awesome books to read, I share a list of my 100 favorite books here
alexandbooks.beehiiv.com/subscribe
alexandbooks.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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