What does history make of Napoleon? Exiled to St Helena, where it was hoped by the British that he would be forgotten, he in fact remained - and remains - a figure of fascination.For Europeans, he is still the author of civil reforms that under

Episode 4

Jun 18th, 2015 13m 59s

The battle of Waterloo changed the future of Europe and sealed Napoleon's fate. But why did such a successful and experienced commander as Napoleon lose that battle, 200 years ago today?Historian Andrew Roberts describes Napoleon's uncharacteri

Episode 3

Jun 17th, 2015 13m 58s

Vaulting ambition, a politically calculating marriage, endless battles across Europe, a Russian campaign that cost the lives of half a million French troops - there is much for which history can criticise Napoleon.But historian Andrew Roberts d

Episode 2

Jun 16th, 2015 13m 59s

It's said that France became a police state under Napoleon. He wanted to know everything about his growing empire and, despite the revolution, crowned himself as Emperor to rule over it.Historian Andrew Roberts challenges this bald account of e

Episode 1

Jun 15th, 2015 13m 57s

Napoleon was savaged by British caricaturists during his lifetime. They loved to portray him as 'little Boney' - a short, uncouth, villainous, Corsican upstart. In this programme, historian Andrew Roberts dispels some of those myths.Recorded pa

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