First Edition. Delderfield writes of his subjects with affection, humor, and respect, and he clearly has his favorites among them. He credits Madame Letizia with instilling the positive aspects of Bonaparte character into her offspring, and he doesn't think much of Louis. The great Napoleon is many faceted, and his frequent irritation with his siblings as he rises from assistant gunner to Emperor of the French is very human and well, fun to read about. Delderfield is a master of creating a complete portrait in an anecdote or two. With a novelist's gift, he sets the stage, peoples it with these larger than life characters, and then lets them tell their own stories; and what stories they are! This is an immensely readable, charming and informative addition to any collection of Napoleon lore.