Do not let the title of this book mislead you. The relationship of Napoleon & the Countess Waleska is actually more of a subplot of the book. The majority of it deals with the political motives behind the Russian campaign that have been ignored by most historians in favor of the theory that Napoleon had gone mad with power & was a blood-thirsty tyrant bent on continuing war at any cost.
Before reading this book, it was difficult for me to comprehend the Russian campaign, making it seem as unnecessary as the American’s involvement in the Korean war, or the war in Vietnam. Now it can be seen in its proper perspective. Napoleon had believed that conquering Russia was necessary in able to establish a united Europe. One could argue that this had been the reason behind so many wars!
This book cannot be considered a biography of Marie Waleska, either. It tells little of her childhood or up until the time when she did meet Napoleon. It merely mentions her going to school & her marriage to the aging Count, & her life after Napoleon’s departure for Saint Helena (her second marriage, & her death, which is explained only as “suddenly”, with no details of what could have caused it, or her last words even).
Overall, an informative book, but it was just not exactly what I had expected. ( )