The Napoleon Bonaparte Podcast #001 - An Introduction to Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon 101 #001 (mp3 - 24Mb - 68 mins)
PRESS PLAY
Welcome to the first episode of Napoleon 101! David and I are very excited about creating this show and the rest of the series.
If you are new to the show, and want to know the background to the series, please read this.
For this first episode, we thought we’d start by giving you a bit of a taste-tester. Before we get deep into the nitty-gritty of his life and career, we’ll take you on a quick journey of what makes Napoleon such an interesting topic for us. For example, we cover:
- How and when did we first get interested in Napoleon?
- What is it about Napoleon that fascinates us?
- The first things everyone wants to know:
- Was he really short?
- Why did he stick his hand inside his jacket?
- Did he really say “Not tonight, Josephine”?
- Was he poisoned or not?
- Top 5 things everyone should know about Napoleon
- He was Corsican
- He rarely, if ever, broke a peace treaty
- He was a workaholic who hardly slept
- He was a genius with a great eye for detail
- The Code Napoleon
- Our favourite Napoleonic event/story/anecdote/myth
- The return from Elba
- The Battle of Austerlitz
If you are new to Napoleon, then we hope this show will give you a taste to learn more. If you are already an experienced hand, then we hope you will enjoy hearing a couple of Napoleon geeks tell the story that you are already familiar with.
If you like the show, please subscribe to our RSS feed, and if you don’t know what that means, then read this. And, of course, if you like the show, please leave us some comments and tell us! While we do have a semi-structured schedule for the show, we would be happy to do a few Q and A shows to answer your specific questions!
February 7th, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Thank you David for telling me to listen to this. It was the first ever podcast that I’ve heard and I really enjoyed it. I will certainly recommend it to others though the sound system kept doubling up.
Good wishes from England
Jim
February 8th, 2006 at 1:11 am
Hi Jim. Glad you enjoyed the show. Can you please explain what “the sound system kept doubling up” means? Is there a problem with the file?
thanks
Cameron
February 9th, 2006 at 2:07 am
Cam, that show was brilliant. Can’t wait for more! And don’t worry about going overtime
February 10th, 2006 at 6:08 am
Couldn’t get iTunes subscribe button to work. Sorry.
February 10th, 2006 at 9:33 am
I haven’t heard the show.
February 16th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
[...] Ce podcast se déclinera en 15 épisodes dont voici le premier intitulé “Prologue - Pourquoi Napoléon?”. Vous pouvez l’écouter directement en écoutant sur le logo podcast ou vous pouvez directement le télécharger le RSS (Really Simple Syndication) et l’écouter via un aggrégateur. Je l’ai fait avec iTunes. Téléchargez-le gratuitement et écoutez le podcast en y ajoutant le RSS. Je vous proposerai les épisodes au fur et à mesure de leur sortie. Ecoutez le premier épisode. C’est véritablement 68 minutes de bonheur. [...]
February 21st, 2006 at 5:40 pm
Loved it! Linked to it, and looking forward to many more.
February 21st, 2006 at 11:04 pm
Thanks for the feedback Andy! Much appreciated! New show coming soon!
May 1st, 2006 at 3:21 am
Cameron : Jolly good show!
I think it was said N hardly slept. I thought usually he slept like the rest of us, (unless under emergency conditions he would go without sleep).
My source is Vincent Cronins book for this info.
Keep up the great podcast
August 3rd, 2006 at 12:40 am
Hi, I am a young listner at School and wanted to say that you guys have kindeled a great intrest of Napoleon with me. Also could you tell me the name of the music that was played at the begining of the podcast? Keep up the great work.
August 3rd, 2006 at 6:48 am
Robert, that’s great, glad you enjoyed the show! The music on this episode is from the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. See here for more details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1812_overture
September 14th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Not that I had any doubt that people are still much interested in Napoleon, but being a Napoleon buff, it’s a very solitary endeavor. This new show, the first Podcast I’ve ever downloaded, is fantastic and informative, and most importantly, gives me the feeling of a shared passion. Thank you thank you thank you.
September 14th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
Thanks Anna! It’s feedback like that which makes the show worthwhile! Hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
September 14th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
Dear Anna,
Thank you very much for your very kind comments. As Cameron says, comments like yours make it all worthwhile.
I am very interested in knowing where our listeners are. So perhaps when people post here they will be kind enough to at least give the country, and better yet the state, province or city. Don’t worry, I won’t send Fouché to check in on you! Its just fun to know just where people are hearing us.
And yes, we do have a shared passion. I find interest in Napoleon wherever I go, anywhere in the world. As I always say, “He’s everywhere!”
David
PS We’ve taken a little time off due to the Napoleonic Alliance conference this weekend in Seattle. As President, I’ve had a few things to do to make it a success!
But next week we hope to get right back to it. I am also organizing an International Napoleonic Society Congress in Poland, probably in early July of 2007. Start thinking of attending, as these events are goldmines of great information on Napoleon and great fun by people who have what Anna rightfully calls a “shared passion.”
October 14th, 2006 at 2:13 pm
Hi! I just found your podcast so I’m a bit late to the party, but I just wanted to say it’s fantastic. Thank you for spreading the joy.
October 20th, 2006 at 4:16 pm
Thank you so much for doing this!! What an enjoyment to listen to. I’ve been a fan of Le Petit Caporal since my high school European History class, and it’s always nice to find other solidarity with other Bonapartists. =D (and shared anger at the comparison with Hitler! amen to that) Nothing like sitting down after a long day with a good Napoleon biography. I’m currently at Columbia University in New York, where I’ve found 3 other Napoleon fans, always looking out for more!
It is especially interesting to hear what everybody’s favorite Napoleon anecdotes are. Like Cameron, one of my favorites is also when Napoleon returns from Elba with the grey overcoat and no soldiers daring to shoot him. I personally enjoy stories of young Napoleon at military school, where I think he strategically led some snowball fights? haha. I’ll be downloading the rest of the podcasts–looking forward to it! Thanks
November 30th, 2006 at 2:56 am
Hey! I just found the site, and love reading about Napoleon. I am highly interested in studying more (grad school) and am very excited to find this! Thanks!
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:59 am
I located Napoleon 3 in Chislehurst Kent (England) in the 1871 Census where he was living with Euphemie as a couple under an asumed name. To reach via Ancestry.Com key in forename ‘napoleon’ at kent chislehurst. From information he was then in exile.
February 5th, 2007 at 6:00 am
Terence, that is a really interesting finding. Though I had always thought that Napoleon III had stayed in France and it was only the Empress that went to Chislehurst? I am from Hastings and have always been very proud of the fact that it was very briefly the capital of France. (Sorry to Dave and Cameron, I know this is the wrong Napoleon - and thanks for your great podcasts on the original).
February 11th, 2007 at 7:21 am
Thank you for a truly fantastic podcast. Haven’t had my earphones off since downloading it, much to the consternation of me missus who hasn’t had a conversation with me for the past 2 days. Its shown me Napoleon in a completely different light, as being English you only ever get Nelson and Wellington, Trafalger and Waterloo. You’ve turned me into a francophile (still a criminal offence in England) and ruined Sharp, the Scarlett Pimponell et al for me as I’ll be cheering for the frenchies from now on. A brilliant podcast engagingly narrated. Can’t wait to hear what happens in the next episode, keep up the good work.
February 21st, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I love the podcast and I always look forward to the next chapter, no matter how long. I am down here in Argentina and in a way, thanks to Napoleon, Argentina is now an independent country. It would be very interesting if you can have a chapter on the global consequences or effects of the Napoleonic Wars. Keep up the great work.
February 24th, 2007 at 1:48 am
I love your show. I read about Napolean years ago. I guess because I am so depressed about the current states of affairs I have swung back to the Russians. I alternated between downloads of The Gulag Archipelago, War and Peace, and Napolean 101. I missed the early episodes, will go back now and try to get them. I anxiously awaited the Feb. installment and am dying to see what you guys think about the “burning of Moscow” and Tolstoy’s take. By the way, I’m from Chicago, down here in Argentina, too.
March 10th, 2007 at 6:08 am
My family and I live in Santa Barbara, CA.
I never seriously studied history, since most classes I took taught history through “isms” (e.g. Communisim, Capitalism, etc) as opposed to individuals as you do.
I thoroughly enjoy your show and am thankful about the approach you have taken to sharing this history.
One suprising developemnt in my house is that my 7 year old boy has become a big Napolean fan. As part of our nightly routine, he asks me to tell him a story about anything. I started telling him your versions of Napolean’s battels and he loves hearing them! (I guess that’s really no suprise for a 7 year old boy.)
I wouldn’t change a thing about the show, but FYI I always welcome more detail as opposed to less detail about the battles.
Thanks again,
JB
March 11th, 2007 at 5:04 am
Gentlemen,
I am a retired doctor and a very amateur historian. I have never gotten a handle on the Napoleonic era until your brilliant podcasts! I have just ordered the ‘Napoleon for Dummies’ book to reinforce the podcasts. I would sure like to see the two of you - dynamic history duo that you are - to continue after this to Caesar, Alexander, Hannibal or some other rare and incredible historical leader and give them the same podcast treatment accorded N.
Thanks
Jim
March 11th, 2007 at 6:16 am
Welcome Dr Jim! I’m sure David will be pleased to know you’ve ordered the book and, if we ever finish this series, I’m sure we will tackle something else together, as we are having a lot of fun!
April 7th, 2007 at 4:42 am
I really enjoyed the podcast. I became an enthusiast when I started researching Napoleon’s life for a movie script. My movie idea was a “WHAT IF” idea: WHAT IF NAPOLEON HAD SUCCESSFUL INVADED ENGLAND INSTEAD OF GOING TO EGYPT? There are many possibilities.
Will the podcast continue after the 15 episodes announced? Anyways, One of the best museums I have visited is in Havana, Cuba. Keep it up and looking forward to more podcasts.
May 1st, 2007 at 1:44 pm
APR 30,2007
Received I-pod as gift, and after 60 day learning process, discovered your podcast. Love your passion and dedication! Up to session ten and have enjoyed every episode. Do not worry about episode lengths. Your interactions and teamwork, and the amount of information you dish out has never let me feel bored. Love the effort. Even when you guys sidetrack, you have interesting discussions.
P.S.
I have noticed some of the other podcasts I listen to have advertisements mixed in with their podcasts. Have you guys considered taking offers? I only suggest because I enjoy your podcasts so much I hope you do not call it quits when the hobby begins to seem like too much work.
Thanks again!
As an airline employee who spends endless hours commuting to and from work you have made my previously downtime something I look forward to!
May 1st, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Hi Arthur! Thanks for listening to the show! Yes, actually I am working on finding some suitable advertisers for the show now. If you can think of a company that might be interested, please let me know!
And make sure you check out the rest of the great podcasts on The Podcast Network!
May 7th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Hey Cam.. I gotta say this website is totally awesome. I love they way it works, looks and feels. compliments to the chef. great show!
May 15th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I came across this podcast while looking for info related to the Dahesh Museum’s Napoleon in Egypt exhibit (which I went to see and thoroughly enjoyed) - so it was especially neat to hear that some of Mr. Markham’s objects were on display there. I’ve always loved Napoleon and I’m glad you got that vicious lie about his height out of the way early on.
Anyway, just wanted to drop you guys a note to say I think you’re doing a great job! I’ve only made it to episode 9 so far (but that’s because I just found the site last week) and have loved every one. But it’ll be awful once I’m caught up, because then I’ll actually have to start waiting for the new episodes!
Keep up the great work!
June 18th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Dear Cameron and J,
You guy’s make the perfect team, i just discovered your podcast on napoleon about 1 month ago. So far i have listen to an episode a night. This is really great stuff, keep up the good work.
Regards
Shaz from sydney(AU).
June 18th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Shaz, thanks very much! Glad you are enjoying our little show! We really appreciate the feedback!
cheers
Cameron
August 28th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
I’m listening you from Italy, I discovered your podcast some weeks ago and I’m now at episode 15.
It is a great show and it pushes me into finding new books and/or new sources of information. I actually live just some km from Lonato where I know was a Napoleonic battle. No luck in finding info un the web, you did not mentioned so far… I’m curious… can you give some feedback on that battle?
P.S. Lodi is just 1 our drive from my home. After having followed your episode about the Lodi’d bridge battle I decided to drive there to see with my eyes.. funny to realize that i’ve been so close to that plase for so many years without knowing..
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Hi guys !!! I come from the Province of Quebec in Canada. Yes, the French speaking ones. But my English is pretty good so I can listen to you and I quite enjoyed it since the first episode I must say. It’s my iniation to Napoleon and I like to learn through speaking voices. You’re passion is transpired through it and it makes it so much greater. You’re killing French names and places to the point of incomprehensibility but what you’re gonna do!!!! I love it anyway. I just have to go on the net and actually see those names and it’s OK. It’s very funny to hear you say Lebrun though!!!
Except this little fact (quite negligeable after all) you guys have it all!!! I love your passion and it’s contagious. That makes me want to know more about French history and the Revolution, etc. These are my ancestors after all. Keep up the good work guys, I’m all ears all the time.
P.S.: A technical problem makes me unable to download the previous podcasts though. I’m stuck at 12 and I’m unable to download 12-13 or 14!! I’m very sad. I hope it’s temporary though!! Makes me realize that I’m a Napoleon 101 addict though. (I’m a itunes user)
Salutations du Québec
Au revoir
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Hey Enrico and Xavier! Thanks for the feedback. We’re really pleased to hear you are both enjoying the show!
Xavier, you should be able to get to the archives here:
http://napoleon.thepodcastnetwork.com/a-quick-guide-to-the-napoleon-podcast/
I just checked shows 12 - 14 and they seem to be working okay. However, if you continue to have problems with those older shows, please email me (cameron@thepodcastnetwork.com) and I’ll look into it further!
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Hi again guys !!!
Thanks Cameron for your quick answer. The technical problem with itunes lasted just a couple of hours so everything is OK right now. I can download them all. I can’t wait to catch up with all the shows since i’m just at #12. Keep it up guys!!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
great show. whoever it is who’s smoke alarm is low on batteries and keeps chirping every 30 seconds this show would be much better without that noise. i’m up to episode 18 and it keeps showing up every couple of episodes and driving me bonkers.
thanks for ya’ll’s times, passion, and knowledge.
November 4th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
thank Brian! Yeah we finally worked out David’s smoke alarm needed a new battery but it only took us… 18 months.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
lol…. solid proof you don’t listen to your own shows
just kidding, thanks again for sharing your perspectives. the podcast is great. I wish it was a little more history in terms of events as it seems a good percentage is opinions but that is related to my own ignorance of the details of the history. I’ll readily admit almost everything I know about the period is from Bernard Cornwall and Patrick O’Brien. Ya’ll’s bias is fine, you’re allowed to be biased if you want, at least you’re open about it (though since my sources are limited to the two aforementioned I tend to disagree haha).
November 5th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
oh dont get me wrong, we heard the beeps, it just took David 18 months to work out what was CAUSING the beeps.
I’m surprised you say the shows are more opinions than events…. whilst we certainly provide our opinions on why he did what he did, I think 90% of the show is talking about WHAT happened (eg events), instead of our opinions on why it happened. Am I wrong?
November 6th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Hmmm… maybe you are right. Maybe I’m thinking that it is a very high level overview (probably required to keep the show from lasting 100 years lol) as opposed to the details of events. I phrased my comment badly hehe.
November 26th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Hello
I am french and very interested by history. I am learning american and I discovered your site one month ago. Every day I listen to your podcast in my car when I go to my work. This is a very good way to learn and improve my english. Thanks a lot for that.
Does the text corresponding to each podcast exist? I would very interested to get it.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Did Napoleon make a mistake at Arce?
Why did’nt he deploy his hot air observation balloons to see the hidden British Navy Gun positions and the second wall.
Just a minor point, Napoleon did indeed have observation balloons in Egypt, but the simple fact of the matter was that they did’nt work.
Why, well the ambient air temparsture in Egypt in summer is around maybe 40C*, in europe Paris for example it is maybe 25C*. (* guesstimate)
The hot air balloon only works with temperature difference, however even the hottest fire is limited to an very modest increase in air temperature.
In other words it would work well in Northern Europe, but at best the balloon would only get partially inflated in Egypt. And would only partially work on the very coldest days in Egypt!!
I love Napoleon, and the 101 series, but in defence of the Emperor and as an Engineer I had to mention this.
Great series of Podcasts.
Anthon
January 8th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
As a proud possessor of a new iPod in July this year, this was one of my first series. As a sometime teacher of Celtic art and archaeology and still one of a dwindling band of ancient Celtic scholars in ‘Straya’ (Australia) let me congratulate you on the format - it has given me ideas!! Out of interest I got my enthusiasm for Napoleon via the master story teller Roger Delderfield’s book “Seven men of Gascony” and the collection of contemporary documents covering the Markham-esque strategic withdrawal (if that is possible with tail between legs) by A Brett-James (1966)
January 15th, 2008 at 4:34 am
This is a very good material! Congratulations for your effort to make it available to the general public. When will the rest of the chapters be available online?
Dêner
February 8th, 2008 at 3:18 am
This is amazing. Thanks so much. Just one question. Itunes is only letting me download the series from episode 5 onwards. Is there any way I can get the first 4?
February 13th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
hello
I’m really enjoying this Series on Napoleon, I can’t seem to download Episodes 1 - 2 - 3 & 4 through I tunes. 5 - 36 is available, can you help me out here
Thank you very much
Tim
February 13th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Tim, I’ve just increased the size of our iTunes feed so please check again in 24 hours, hopefully those early shows will be showing up now. Thanks for letting me know about the problem.
Alternatively, you can download them here:
http://napoleon.thepodcastnetwork.com/a-quick-guide-to-the-napoleon-podcast/
February 13th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Stephen, I see you posted the same question last week. Sorry I missed it!
April 6th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Dear Cameron and David
Thank you for a outstanding podcast series. Your combined perspective on Napoleons life has stirred me to be a true convert. I am sadly nearing the end of series but I continue to review them to absorb the material.(I plan to pick up Napolean for dummies on my next visit to Chapters.) My mp3 player contains nothing but Napoleon and Historical podcasts, which I listen while at the gym, work or cartooning for my local paper. Although my medication is creamed sherry or beer not near as strong as Davids it does the trick.Once again thank you for efforts. Keep up the good work.
I attached my Military Cartoon websites below for you to enjoy
Sincerly Yours
Robert Mullan
http://www.rcaca.org/En/indexLM.asp?ID=14
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/6_1_2_2.asp
http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/v/Humour/Mullan/?action=gallery&g2_page=2
April 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Dear Cameron and David
Excellent series. I was wondering if you have any information on the effects of the war on the continent had on the war of 1812 ? (between Canada an the USA)Were the French in any position to help USA in the War of 1812.Had the French introvened could they reclaimed parts of New France.
Robert Mullan
Carleton Place,
Ontario
Canada
May 17th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I am Napoleon’s #1 fan! I am 7. I am looking forward to future podcasts. This is very interesting. You should watch my review of “Essential Visual History of the World” for the Storytubes contest. (I had to cut it down to only 2 minutes, though.) here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbRrdbxrTzU
if you like it you can vote for me May 26-June 1 at this site:
http://www.storytubes.info/
If I win I get to give $1000 worth of books to my library. Maybe then other kids can learn about the REAL Napoleon.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:14 am
[...] This morning we got this comment on Episode 1: [...]
June 6th, 2008 at 9:11 am
I LOVE THIS PODCAST’s.
You guy’s are awesome. I am buying all your books.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:44 am
Thanks for a very interesting show. Like others, I recently got an Iphone and found your podcast. As a history major many years ago, I always enjoy any history, but was weak on Napoleon. However, I always had an interest, but never the time, in him because a co-worker years ago insisted that I was a relative of Marshal Ney, as that is my maiden name. To the best of my knowledge, I know that is not the case, but it was nice to daydream. I am up to episode 20, and am slowly catching up. You have reinvigorated my interest in history and I am schlepping back and forth to the library now for books (have no room for any more in my bookcases). Also will be listening to the biography show when caught up with Napoleon. Thanks again for your compassion for this subject.
Writing from Miami, Florida.
June 12th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Gentlemen,
Thanks for a great show!
I have just found the podcast and am eagerly devouring every episode. I like the way that your passion shines through when you get side tracked this is the stuff that brings history to life!
As I am only up to episode 11, I am a little late catching on so I hope my comments dont seem too dated… then again this is a history podcast after all.
Keep up the brilliant work.
By the way, have I missed the Napoleon get together in Australia that was to be held this summer?
If so, is there a site that has a bit of what I missed?
Brian
June 12th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Welcome everybody, thanks for tuning in!
Brian - don’t know about the Napoleon event in Australia, I didn’t hear much about it.
Robert - I’ll ask David what he knows about the affects on the War of 1812. And great cartoons! Obviously some of them are ‘in’ jokes, they went over my head.
June 18th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Cameron,
I think it was mentioned on episode 11 or so
Brian
June 27th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
This is just an idea for David’s books. I listen to a fair number of podcasts like TWiT and have now come to love audible audio books. As I prefer to listen to books instead of reading now I actually looked on audible today to see if I could purchase any books by David.
Seeing as your audience is obviously a little tech savy having products like putting David’s books on audio might be a big seller - I would sure be one of the first to purchase an audio copy. (From Audible they are DRM protected too)
Just an idea.