A special interview with military historians Dr. Mark Gerges, Dr. Jonathan Abel, and Dr. John Kuehn, experts on the Napoleonic era from the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While Napoleon fought in Italy, French politics oscillated dangerously between left and right. Finally, a fraught election and divisions within the Directory tore the system apart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We take a break from the narrative to answer listener questions on topics ranging from the organization of the revolutionary armies to pop culture to alternate history hypotheticals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonaparte returns to Italy after Leoben, and is already coming into his own as a political figure. He is reunited with Josephine, and enjoys an opulent court life at Mombello. We trace Napoleon's development as a statesman as he defies the Directory and brings Venice and Genoa under French influence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The First Italian Campaign reaches its less-than-dramatic conclusion with Napoleon's invasion of Austria. We take a look back on this remarkable period, and assess Napoleon as a strategist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With the Mantua garrison on the brink of starvation, the Austrians under Alvinczy launch one last relief attempt. General Sérurier returns, and General Joubert is given command of a division. Napoleon fights another innovative battle at Rivoli, where the French cavalry devastates the enemy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Napoleon faces a new opponent, who gives the Army of Italy their toughest fight of the campaign so far. He suffers his first defeats as commander-in-chief. We examine an iconic moment of Napoleon's career: the assault on the bridge at Arcole. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/ageofnapoleon https://ko-fi.com/theageofnapoleonpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Army of Italy pushes north to support a French offensive in Germany, but finds Wurmser already back on the march, leading to a major battle at Bassano and a frantic race down from the Alps. Conditions within Mantua worsen. We meet a young, capable Austrian commander: Archduke Charles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Army of Italy faces off against Field Marshal Wurmser, and finds itself in its toughest fight of the campaign so far. Bonaparte takes some calculated risks to even the odds. One of Napoleon's inner circle suffers a tragic, life-altering wound. Mantua stands as strong, but warfare is changing, and fortresses like Mantua are less relevant than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Army of Italy beats Beaulieu one last time, then takes a lucrative detour south and confronts the Pope. Napoleon and Josephine are finally reunited. We also meet Napoleon's next opponent, discuss corruption within the army, and take an in-depth look at the campaign to strip Italy of its cultural and intellectual wealth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Napoleon finally enters Milan. The French conquest has divided Lombardy-- radicals are eager to follow the example of the revolution, but many others greet their conquerors with hostility and suspicion. Napoleon continues his requisitions and demands for tribute, angering an old friend as well as the locals. The officers of the still-ragged Army of Italy invest in jewel-encrusted watches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The First Italian Campaign continues. Napoleon outfoxes the Austrians and takes Milan. The Army of Italy fights a famous battle at Lodi, which probably does not deserve its legendary reputation. We also take a look at Napoleon's propaganda machine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We meet some of the leaders of the Army of Italy. The First Italian Campaign begins in dramatic fashion, with two weeks of lightning battles at Montenotte, Millesimo, Dego, Ceva, and Mondovì. Napoleon negotiates with Piedmont, and worries about looting, and about his wife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We meet the Army of Italy, which Napoleon finds in a "state of destitution." Paris provides little support, but Bonaparte attempts to get his command into shape for the offensive. We discuss more of the military reforms of the revolution. Napoleon gives the first famous speech of his career. The First Italian Campaign gets off to an inauspicious start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For better and for worse, a new government takes over in Paris: the Directory. Napoleon and Josephine are married, and we examine her unhappy early life. Napoleon leaves Paris to meet his destiny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An update from the armies at the front: French success continues in the Netherlands, and the long-suffering Dutch radicals finally have their day. In the South, the republicans push into Catalonia, knocking Spain out of the war, but at the cost of a general's life. Prussia finally wakes up and leaves the Coalition. In Paris, Napoleon's meteoric rise has officially begun. He shares the fruits of his success and continues his inept search for a wife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
With the defeat of the French left, the right begins a violent resurgence, culminating in a rebellion that nearly conquers Paris. Napoleon saves the Convention (and his career with it). We meet two memorable characters: Paul Barras and Joachim Murat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With so many of his political patrons dead, Napoleon's career stalls. He spends some aimless months in the capital trying to improve his situation. He finds high society transformed along with politics. Also discussed: Napoleon's love life, republican victories in the Vendée, and the surprising importance of the Army Topographical Bureau. Contains some (very tame) sexual content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An eclectic episode. Napoleon gets out of jail, fights another battle in northern Italy, and comes tantalizingly close to a triumphant return to Corsica. Other topics include: the fall of Robespierre, the Kościuszko Uprising, Thermidorian politics, the progress of the war, and the Jacobin Air Force Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Napoleon reports for duty with the Army of Italy, which is fighting a tough campaign in the rugged Alps. André Masséna is introduced. Napoleon's plan and Masséna's daring win a victory at Saorgio. Napoleon undertakes an ill-timed mission to Genoa. Map of the Saorgio campaign: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saorgio#/media/File:Saorgio_1794_Campaign_Map.jpg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Napoleon takes charge as head of artillery for the Army of the Alps, clashes with his incompetent commanders, and finally wins recognition on the battlefield during the Siege of Toulon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Napoleon finally reports to the regular army, just as France sinks deeper into chaos. The Jacobins come to power and launch The Reign of Terror. The army continues to transform. Napoleon finally achieves some success writing, and wins some powerful friends in the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SURVEY: https://survey.libsyn.com/ageofnapoleon Napoleon returns to Corsica. The former king is executed; royalists rise up to avenge him. Napoleon fights in his first (real) battle. Paoli breaks with the Bonapartes and with France. Napoleon and his family flee Corsica. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Napoleon bungles his first test as a National Guard officer and bears witness to the revolution's darkest days survey: survey.libsyn.com/ageofnapoleon Patreon: patreon.com/ageofnapoleon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A short episode delving into the organization, equipment, and uniforms of Napoleonic foot-soldiers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Back on the mainland, 1792 saw the revolution face an existential crisis, which gave birth to a new new kind of army. Topics include Count Guibert and his theory of the citizen-soldier, the Battle of Valmy, and the foundation of the First Republic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Bonaparte brothers launch their political careers with very mixed success, Paoli returns from exile a changed man, and we take a close look at the crooked, violent world of eighteenth century Corsican electoral campaigning. Also: Joseph Bonaparte birtherism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Napoleon is bored in a peacetime army and fills his time with writing and the study of military theory. He returns to Corsica for the first time since childhood. The revolution turns his political beliefs upside down. Also discussed: rich Uncle Luciano and artisanal, small-batch artillery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Napoleon grows up: surviving military school, coping with the death of his father, and becoming an officer in record time. Also discussed: Bourrienne's problematic 'Memoirs,' Napoleon's love of books, talking to girls, and how the Bonapartes were like the Bluths Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
the life and death of Carlo Bonaparte, Napoleon's childhood, Napoleon leaves home Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
