The Bonapartes: The History of a DynastyThis biography offers not just the story of Napoleon Bonaparte himself, but the history of his entire family during their time of rule. Although Napoleon I began life in an impoverished noble family, through his astonishing military career he was crowned Emperor of France. Three of his brothers became kings of French satellite territories, and Napoleon himself tried to earn the acceptance of other monarchs of Europe by marrying Marie-Louise, the daughter of the Austrian emperor. Although his only son, Napoleon II, died young and in exile, the dynasty sprang back to power under his nephew, Louis Napoleon, who became Napoleon III. His son, the Prince Imperial, was killed in the Zulu War. "The Bonapartes shows the importance of the entire Napoleonic dynasty in French history and traces the often difficult relationships between the members of the family. |
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abdication accept achieved affair Alexander Allies already army Assembly attempt Austria Beauharnais became Bismarck Bonaparte family Bonapartist Bourbons brother Camden Place ceremony church clear constitution Consul coronation Corsica coup coup d'état court death decided diplomatic Duke dynasty elected Emperor Empress Empress Eugénie enemy England English established Eugénie Europe European exile fact father force France France's French groups heir hope Hortense Hortense de Beauharnais hostility immediately Italian Italy Jerome Joseph Joseph Bonaparte Josephine King kingdom London Louis Napoleon Louis XVIII Louis-Philippe Lucien Marie-Louise marriage military Minister monarchy Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon III Napoleon Louis nation negotiations organised palace papal Paris peace Pius political Pope position President Prince Imperial Prince Napoleon Prince's problem proclaimed Prussia Queen recognised refused Regent regime remained Republic Republican restored result Revolution revolutionary Rome Royalists Second Empire seemed situation sovereigns St Helena succession throne treaty Tsar Tuileries uncle victory Vienna virtually