The Mind of Napoleon

J. Christopher Herold selected and edited Napoleon's own written and spoken words, arranging them by subject rather than as a historical record, to show the mind and character of the man. The themes range from the human heart to warfare. The selections come from three kinds of material: Napoleon's writings, including letters, orders, bulletins, proclamations, newspaper articles and memoirs; the opinions he gave aloud at the Conseil d'Etat, preserved in stenographic transcripts, official minutes and councilors' notes; and conversations and reminiscences recorded by his contemporaries from about 1800 to 1821. Herold presents a man who combined vigor of thought with vigor of action. It first appeared in 1955.

David Senra covered it in episode 432 of his Founders podcast.