complexity

United States
July 3, 2011 12:24pm CST
Everytime I read a bio or see a movie that has something to do with Napoleon, I'm astonished at his complexity and how much he packed into his life. To some, he was an ambitious monster. To others, he gave men and women a new spark of life. Most interesting.
1 response
anklesmash
@anklesmash (1412)
•
3 Jul 11
He was a very complex man with many sides to his character.He was undisputedly a military genious at the height of his power he controlled pretty much all of western europe.During his early days in power he was an icon for liberals he was defeating royal armies and creating republics though most of these liberals such as beethoven turned against him when he made himself emperor.He also had some mental health issues he saw a red genie that advised him what to do though when it advised him not to invade russia he ignored it and that was his was his worst military decision so maybe the genie was the military genious.
Cricket127
@Cricket127 (548)
• United States
4 Jul 11
Hi and thanks for your comment! I do remember reading about him and thanks to the 1965 version of War and Peace, I'm re-reading a bio on him and Josephine. Have you ever seen the movie or any other version of it? I think Herbert Lom did an admirable job as Napoleon. I do remember hearing the tale of Beethoven appreciating Napoleon and then almost destroying the score of the Emperor concerto when Napoleon made himself Emperor. Have never heard about the red genie one--where did you find out about that one? Are there any other tales? I have the feeling that with a charachter as well-known as Napoleon, there would be others. Are there any other bios of Napoleon that you would suggest? I do think that he over-extended himself and expected the Russians to fall just as quickly the other countries did but did not expect it to take as long as it did or the severity of the cold. Thanks again for your comment and if want to write about other famous people, feel free.