Napoleon La Fantastic!
342186
I am a Weber kettle grill groupie but I went out on a limb and bought my 1st propane gas grill.  After much research I bought the Napoleon La Series and absolutely LOVE IT!  WOW, there are not enough adjectives to describe my love for this grill.  Perfect size for 2 people, but big enough to grill for a crowd.  Quality materials and components with awesome cast iron grills.  Super easy to assemble.  Even easier to clean!  Beautifully designed, compact, solid, classy, and can it grill the PERFECT steak!!!  It's all about the BTU's per square inch and does Napoleon bring it!  LOVE MY NAPOLEON!  LA MAGNIFICENT GRILL!
3573770
I have read many books on Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars.  This new volume adds wonderful anecdotes and stories that I have never before encountered.  A great addition to the study of Napoleon the man and his times.
3858824
Super aventure pour la deuxieme de la serie...Plein de coeur and tres sympa. Pas aussi ha-ha mais on est avec nos amis parti a la quete de la Serpe D'or alors c'est Bon! Faut lire.
This is the second Asterix ever written. The question is which way to go with the story? I enjoyed this one very much. The story takes an adventure turn with some serious bad guys and surprise plot turns. The humor is still being honed, but Asterix and Obelix are great to be with and the story is very well done. It is a good one.
4880518
Fabulous, gorgeous and fantastic book! I purchased the English edition of this book in Paris, France last fall. Beautifully illustrated and written in a simple to read style of the life story of Marie Antoinette of France, and it's a nice smaller size which makes it great for traveling.  It's the perfect book for an introduction to the world's most popular and controversial queen - Marie Antoinette. The book is so beautifully presented in a book cover which makes for a lovely display -  on a coffee table, dresser or wherever. I placed my copy on a side table in the entryway of my house with some of my favorite 18th century inspired antiques! A must for lovers of French history and interior decorating buffs! Enjoy.
3427973
I wish I could give it 1,000 stars! We went to Paris, too. We got the audio for the Louve, the Orsay, and Versailes Palace. He is funny, not boring like other audio tours. He breaks it and makes these places not so overwhelming. I would highly recommend both!
We also record his shows where he takes you through all parts of Europe. He keeps the dream alive :-)
1665734
Wonderful! I've never read a history (fiction) book as mesmerizing as this! MRS.Gulland recounts the events so wonderfully and the speeches so livably that as though I'm living in the-18th century France with Josephine. Well,  I prefer to call this book a 'struggle for living' book rather than a  romantic book, it's better to be called a biography than a novel. It's so  fantastic for all ages, including an-11-year old girl like me. LISEZ CE  LIVRE, ET VOUS SEREZ UNE FOLLE APRES!
756652
Chronologically, this is a 'follow up' to Michelle's previous book, Madame Tussaud, as Napoleon's reign comes after the French Revolution. At the end of that book the character is imprisoned with Rose Beauharnais, who later would become Napoleon's wife! Yup- the AHA moment for the reader! One would think Michelle would focus on her, but she saw more interest in his 19 year old second wife!

As always, I can't wait to start one of Michelle's books, yet know that I will race through it, and it will end too soon! Her previous book was longer, so it took me 3 days, this one only 2! Even with 3 narrators (Marie-Louise, Paul and Pauline), the flow of the book is such that each narrator further's the story and provides insight into the characters, in their own way, which leads to a much richer telling of the story. By sprinkling actual letters from Napoleon and Josephine to each other, Michelle gives us a better understanding of the man behind the image. In fact, Michelle's books are always well documented and researched, which makes them even more compelling to me, with my love of history!

This was a wonderful book, and my only complaint was that I wish Michelle could have started with Josephine and Napoleon's marriage, so that we could have gotten a better sense of her, and her children. It would also have made the book longer, and I think more enriched with the additional back story added. Course I like long books, as long as they are interesting, and I know Michelle is a quality writer and researcher, so the possibility is tantalizing to me!

But if you want to read a different take about Napoleon and the end of his reign, this is a great book to read!
3442021
The biography of Napoleon gives an account of the life and times of this remarkable man, from his early youth to his final days. This is a good representation of the highlights of his life. Although some important details are missing, this is a good explanation of his achievements and failures.

Napoleon rose very quickly in the army, his obvious brilliance having been noticed and having been critical for the success of the French armies against monarchist forces trying to destroy the French revolution and restore the monarchy. Napoleon was clearly a great military genius and a very dynamic personality. He had an incredible drive to succeed with a charismatic personality. His meteoric rise to the top is impressive.

I learnt of the incredible energy that the great emperor had. For example, he was directly involved in many details of government and at times dictating correspondence until his secretaries collapsed from exhaustion.

Napoleon had a deep and genuine affection for Josephine, often writing her detailed and interesting letters from the battle front. Since she could not bear him male heirs to the throne, Napoleon had to divorce her and married someone else.

The biography captures the grandeur of Napoleon, his zeal for war, his love for Josephine and his limitless energy that drove him beyond what even he could achieve.

One of Napoleon's greatest failures was the invasion of Russia with a huge army, which was consumed by the vast Russian landmass and atrocious weather.

A well produced account of this spectacular man that is well worth viewing by anyone with an interest in history or the Napoleonic wars.
4667045
When I saw the "Live from the Met in HD" broadcast of La Fille du Regiment, I just couldn't wait to get it in DVD so I could share it with friends.

Was I disappointed, was it an inferior production?
Definitely not!

This DVD features the same brilliant singing and acting from Dessay, Florez, and the other principals, and the same costumes and sets.  It is simply the best Daughter of the Regiment I can imagine.  You won't believe the amount of energy, talent, and "bounce" that Natalie Dessay displays.  Please, you won't be disappointed!  Get it to share the fun and great singing with your friends.
4017356
When I first saw the cover of this novel I expected to read about the famous Josephine and I was wonderfully surprised that Ruth Hull Chatlien had selected a woman I knew little to nothing about but was just as captivating.  The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte is the story of a Baltimore born merchant's daughter, Elizabeth "Betsy" Patterson.  Betsy was certainly a rebel; precocious, dismissive of everything American and not one to do what she was told or what was expected of her.  No, Betsy had dreams of her own and a determination that they become reality.

Betsy decided at an early age that she would not marry an American but would marry and live in Europe.  A dream of many young girls, but they lacked what Betsy had in abundance - ambition.  During a visit to Baltimore, Jerome Bonaparte meets and falls in love with Betsy and the two wed.  The happiness is short lived as Napoleon refuses to acknowledge the marriage and her life at the French court is not at all in keeping with the dreams of her youth, but Betsy is still imbued with ambition and thinks she can out maneuver Napoleon himself.  One must admire her independence and intelligence, but at the same time mourn her complete lack of prudence.  She is an interesting character, but not a thoroughly likable one.

Betsy's story is related against the backdrop of the events of Napoleonic France, the battles of Waterloo and the War of 1812, but despite these larger events Betsy never looks far beyond her own ambition and desires.  Her relentless determination is admirable but her inability to concede defeat and content herself with what she does have is maddening and in the end is her undoing.

Ruth Hull Chatlien's debut novel is truly a wonderfully entertaining and interesting glimpse into the life of Elizabeth "Betsy" Patterson Bonaparte as well as full of rich details of 19th c. French life.  Through the telling of the life of this real historical figure Chatlien is also able to illuminate the life of women in Napoleonic France and at the same time remains true to the known history of the era.  The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte is a suspenseful, quick moving read, full of vivid facts and insights into the personalities of those who visited or resided at the court of Napoleon.  I applaud Chatlien for crafting such a remarkable debut novel which is a contribution to the genre of historical fiction and I look forward to her future work.
890907
A real refresher of the exploits and life of one of the greatest strategist in history. Napoleons life is a testament to the possibilities that one can archive in life if they put their mind & focus all their effort on its attainment. As an entrepreneur this little book accounting the life of Napoleon has given me so many success tips that I can put to good use for my own success. I guess Hitler did not study the life of Napoleon, because if he did, he would have avoided invading Russia as winter was approaching. Military historians all agree that Russia was saved from complete subjugation by the German army because of the harsh winter, and nothing else. That was Napoleons mistake as well that started his gradual downward spiral from the height of his success & power. Great read!!!
3610345
I bought this DVD late last year and it is one I treasure. Like the other reviewer, I too have the Tafelmusik/Niquet DVD of Lully's Perse, which compares very well with Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, even though it's production values are not quite as rigorously "authentic"!

The music for this production is superb and demonstrates quite clearly, I believe, that Lully was a genius. Whilst CD recordings of his music are often very entertaining and colourful, it seems to be that Lully's music works at its very best when seen on stage or on DVD.

All of the music of Le Bourgeois gentilhomme is sublime and very entertaining. The play is an excellent piece of theatre, too.

I imagine that this DVD could be enjoyed by a very wide range of people, even people not familiar with or normally amenable to Baroque music and/or Baroque opera. Please give it a try, if you're even slightly curious!

I very much look forward to Le Pome Harmonique's DVD recording of Lully's "Cadmus et Hermione" (a real opera, rather than "Semi-Opera", in fact, a play with songs and dances), available in October this year. I can't wait!
206510
First let me start off by saying that I had the honour though brief of corresponding with the late Dr. Griffith through email. I needed hep on Bonapartes invasion of Italy and like a true gentlemen he gave me lot of information. He will be missed. Even though are views on Napoleon are polar opposites, This book is must read for students of the French Revolutionary army. It tells about the orginzation, politics, and money matters of the revolutionary armies. the personalities of the generals, I was pleased by his admiration for General Moreau, who was a very talented commander during the revolution who's contribution to republican France is all too forgoten. Many former Marshals learned their trade under him (ney, Davout, Grouchy). This is not a book for wargamers their are no army lists, or battle reports. the economics of the war and how the army fought, supplied and fed are greatly described in this volume. The author does not hide his anti-bias for Napoleon(but then we all have biases I am a commited Bonapartist.)
there is truth in his claim that the army of italy were big looters. Napoleon's war in Italy was totaly self financed
even I have to admit by massive looting, which had just gone out style 100 years back, before the age of reason most militaries did lot of looting during the campaign. All in all this book is a must read.
8815
A good adventure tale set in the context of Napoleon's invasion of Egypt! All the usual elements including the beautiful woman, the treasure, the adventure getting there and getting away. The historical context seems well researched, the characters are enjoyable, the adventure seems real. Good story!
2793951
I found this book to be irresistible! The documentation and attributions are thorough and consist of mostly basic research of correspondences of acquaintances , servants, friends, relatives and letters between Josephine and Napoleon. I enjoyed reading the actual words of the two protagonists, their children and their close associates. These correspondences not only reveal the complicated personalities and rationalizations of Josephine and Napoleon but provide the reader with a window into 17th and 18th century French politics, morals and pecking orders of society during this time period...the intrigues , the back stabbing and the dangerous alliances that could blow up in your face like a mine -field on a battle ground. If ever there was a book that personifies the cliche, " those who do not study the past are condemned to repeat it", this book explicitly illustrates the dangers inherent when there are great divides between the have and have nots. This book is engrossing, addictive and filled with examples of how emotional intelligence, particularly that of Josephine, can trump basic IQ when people skills are necessary and can make the difference between survival or death.
1778044
Perhaps all the history buffs have read this book, or have better ones to offer, I don't know.  But I am very interested in self-development and the potential for people to grow and become more then they are.

So I read this book, based on the editorial review, and made the decision to read it.....and I was so impressed.....as I say, perhaps there are better or longer in depth Napoleon books about the battles, uniforms, etc, but I wanted to know about the man, what lessons I could learn from him about the ability to do something when everyone else was afraid.

And this book made that possible, and I am humbled and have made changes in my life already.
4427985
Roger Roth's beautiful illustrations in The Giraffe That Walked to Paris are fantastic. He has caught the essence of Nancy Milton's very entertaining tale which is based on a true story. In a nutshell, the story is about the pasha of Egypt who, as a sign of friendship, gives the king of France a giraffe. The people of France had never seen a giraffe, and it's the cause for much excitement among the people, especially the king. My two young children, 8 and 10, love to hear me read it to them over and over again, and constantly point out some of the many details in the pictures that had been previously overlooked. A well written, entertaining story, and expertly illustrated!