I look forward to reading more J David Marham books.

–>Chuck Milbourne

I think your being a non-American would be an asset to such a discussion, as perhaps the angle you approach topics and pose questions from could represent foreign perceptions and perspectives, to a degree.

PS: I am forever grateful for you creating the Napoleon podcast series with JDM.

I may be mistaken, and you, Cameron, may believe that you will give that libertarian viewpoint; my perspective is limited to occasional comments on the Napoleon episodes, but I think a three-way discussion is more interesting in any case: support for the current administration, a critique from the right, and a critique from the left.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21652878

Stick to what made the show great, Markham sipping whiskey and regailing listeners about the Napoleonic period or ancient history. There’s tons more to cover.

I came for Napoleon, my interest checks out after that.

Came across your Napoleons pod cast last summer. I am thoroughly enjoying them. Although I am only just up to Waterloo. I am throwing out a suggestion for an episode. I think that it would be interesting to talk about the Confederation of the Rhine, the major players, their motives, their military performances, and discussion around the foundation of German nationalism, and how this impacted later towards the unification of Germany.

I have enjoyed the Napoleon podcasts and has opened my eyes up to the man.

First off I wanted to say how much I enjoy the podcast. It is currently January of 2013, and I have just finished this episode (Waterloo Pt II). I’m hooked. I’ve been a military history enthusiast since I was young, and the Napoleonic Wars have almost always been my favorite period of history to study. Your podcast has been such a great tool to learn more about this time period, so THANK YOU!

I was wondering if it would be possible to get Peter Hofschröer, author of “1815: The Waterloo Campaign—The German Victory” on for an episode? I think it would be very interesting to get the German perspective of the Napoleonic Wars, particularly the Waterloo campaign, and it would also give you another opportunity to have to defend yourself of accusations of “England-Bashing”… It’s a win-win proposition!

Respectfully,

Chris

Thanks!

(Was that always there?)

Is there one that I have not stumbled upon?

I don’t use iTunes now and I’d like to use my Android phone to subscribe to these again.

Can anything be done for those that fight against corporate monarchy?

You do this free – and you will someday be richly rewarded. I know this because I have already been so rewarded with your rich and powerful instruction on one of the most important periods in world history.

Many Many thanks to you both and blessing abound for you!

Brad

Oh my. Napoleon and Red Bull.

Anyways, it’s an interesting topic, the Orient. Maybe you and David could talk about it or get someone who authored a book on the subject for an episode. (Hope David didn’t write one on it, hehe.)

Thanks – got it fixed.

Your work is exceptional in every way. You teach exactly the way I learn! Your descriptions and discussions are rich with detail and substance. They make Napoleon and his times come alive for me.

Thanks again for taking your time to help me out. Don’t quit now. Thanks

Brad

I live in Melbourne, and have been a fan of this Podcast series since I found it when you were up to about episode 6. I went to the exhibition two weeks ago and agree, it is fantastic. I bought an unlimited pass for a bit more than the cost of two entries, so I will be visit a few times. They are doing a night session on Bastille day, with speakers, etc, which I will attend.

I was thinking that it would be great to organise a get together of TPN Napoleon devotees in Melbourne, and maybe organise a special tour of the exhibition, and a dinner. I would definitely be in that.

Regards

John G

itpc://feeds.feedburner.com/TpnNapoleon

Let me know how it goes.

cheers
Cameron

I lost all of your podcasts on my IPod. I went back to ITunes and tried to download.

Got the message “can’t find server”. I’ll bet when you moved to your new site, the location of your podcasts moved as well. Well, can you check on it?

Really need to get a new copy of all the podcasts. They are EXCELLENT. The longer I listened to the series around number 20 through 24 I almost couldn’t stop!

Your style is magnetic. You teach in exactly the way I learn. Your monologues really brings each of the subjects “come alive”.

Thanks for the absolute best experience I have had in learning!

Cheers!

I thought Napoleon was was akin to Hitler but that was just because of my Australian/British history lessons. This series has shown me the difference and revealed the greatness of the man.

Take your time, listen and enjoy the banter. You’ll be amazed at what you learn.

I have always loved history and Napoleon – but didn’t always find a “source” that “fed” my love.

You guys do it in spades! Never before have I enjoyed hours and hours of discussion by two well informed teachers. Plus you are both quite honest and transparent. You say “I don’t know” when you don’t.

Your work is greatly appreciated. I can not say enough about how great your podcasts are and what they do for me.

Keep it up – don’t forget how much we all enjoy your work and knowledge – to share is the best payment for being so talented.

Cheers!

Would be good if a group fo us got together to go see it and perhaps have a dinner afterwards!

Napoleon — Revolution to Empire, a major exhibition which the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is presenting in Melbourne from 2 June to 7 October 2012. This is a panoramic exhibition examining French art, culture and life from the 1770s to the 1820s. Its trajectory runs from the first French voyages of discovery to Australia during the reign of Louis XV to the end of Napoleon’s transforming leadership as first Emperor of France.
The Fondation Napoleon in Paris is the official partner for this exhibition, which will present to the Australian public more than 300 works of art in all media — paintings, watercolours and drawings, engravings, sculpture, furniture, textiles, porcelain, glass, gold and silver, fashion, jewellery and armour. The lead curators for this exhibition are Karine Huguenaud, Chargee des Collections, Fondation Napoleon and Dr Ted Gott, Senior Curator of International
Art at the NGV. The exhibition will be accompanied by a comprehensive fully illustrated publication, written by international scholars in the field.
The story of this exhibition unfolds on an ambitious scale, as it examines the close links that connected France and Australia during the Napoleonic era. The show contains the following sections:

1. Louis XV and the voyages of discovery of Dufresne and St Allouarn. Their claiming of the west coast of Australia for France in 1 772 — this aspect of history, which has been largely forgotten in Australia, will be a first surprise for our visitors, signalling the
strong Franco-Australian subtext which underpins this exhibition;
2. Louis XVI, the ancien regime, and the voyage of discovery made by La Perouse in 1785. The adolescent Napoleon’s wish to join this voyage to Australia. Exceptionally,La Perouse witnessed the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillips and the First Fleet of English colonists in Sydney (then Botany Bay) in 1788;
3. The Revolution, Terror and Directoire periods. Josephine in prison. Napoleon’s rise to power following his suppression of the XIII Vendemiaire insurgency.
D’Entrecasteaux’s 1 792 voyage to Australia in search of La %rouse (who had disappeared without trace after leaving Sydney); the arrival in Australia of the
botanists Labillardiere and Delahaye on this voyage;
4. Napoleon in Egypt (viewed as a blueprint for Baudin’s scientific expedition to Australia in 1800);
5. Josephine at Malmaison — Percier and Fontaine;
6. The Battle of Marengo;
7. The Consulate Era;
8. The Baudin expedition, sent to Australia by Napoleon as First Consul;
9. The Coronation, 1804;
10. Australia at Malmaison. The return of the Baudin expedition in 1803-04, bringing emus, kangaroos and black swans back from Australia to reside in Josephine’s gardens at Malmaison. Felix Delahaye, formerly of the 1792 d’Entrecasteaux voyage to Australia, as Head Gardener at Malmaison from 1803. Josephine and Redoute, and Redoute’s numerous illustrations of Australian plants cultivated at Malmaison by Josephine and her gardeners;
11. Napoleon and the arts — his reinvigoration of the Salon, creation of the Musee Napoleon, etc;
12. The Imperial Family;
13. Luxury. The private life of the Emperor and Empress;
14. The Art of War;
15. Empire Style;
16. Napoleon and Marie-Louise;
17. Saint Helena. Connections between Australia and Napoleon’s time on Saint Helena (his lodging with the Balcombe family at their property ‘The Briars’ on first arriving at the island; the subsequent emigration of the Balcombe family to Australia; the acquisition of ‘The Briars’ on Saint Helena by Dame Mabel Brooks, the Australian great grand-daughter of William Balconnbe, and her gift of this property to the French government in 1959)

Major French institutions (including Malmaison, Versailles, Sevres, the Musee de l’Arrnee, Mobilier National and the Museum d’histoire naturelle in Le Havre) have already agreed to work in staging this exhibition, which is a unique opportunity for the NGV to present in Australia such a major exploration of the Napoleonic era. As it is unlikely that another Napoleonic exhibition of this breadth and ambition could be mounted in Australia for a very long time.

I’ve just started listening to the poscasts (I’m upto episode 13!) and am completley enthralled. I was wondering where the first five episode’s have gone to? the first one on the page is number 6!

TTFN

Alicia

I really hope you guys get to making a new episode again, would be a darn shame if ep58 was to be the last one ever.

Cheers! Matt, NL

http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=320

Regards,
Justin

Vendee and Chouannerie

Napoleon was definitely a liberal, that doesn’t mean he was a parliamentary democrat; but contempt for parliamentary democracy is hardly unusual among liberals and radicals; both libertarian anarchists and communists have a deep suspicion of head-counting.

Thanks,

Rene

If the British and their former colonies haven’t left a lasting imprint, then you probably don’t want to live there.

Canada & the US – good places to live. Mexico? A basket case.

Bermuda – yes. Haiti – no.

India, getting better. China, worse but improving with continued exposure to Britain’s USA satellite.

South Korea – sign up. North Korea – not on a bet.

It almost seems like bad manners to point these things out. For those with global perspective, however, the truth is there to be seen. In the meantime, if one is offended by British heritage there are still other options… the Dominican Republic, Iran, Venezuela, etc.

IF you can post the list of books on the APP so we can look them
up – for those who don’t have an IPAD!

And pollution? Okay, I’ll concede the invasions one, but even that isn’t exactly uniquely British. Remember the Assyrians, the Romans, etc.

Nick mentioned briefly a minor invasion in Fishguard, West Wales, being from the area I can say the invasion is still well remembered. If it is of interest to anyone the French were driven away by farmers with pitchforks, the locals celebrate a festival every year to a stocky woman named “Jemima” who is supposed to have chased away several French soldiers alone.

As always there is a good dose of exaggeration in the various versions of the story, but knowing the local Welsh girls of this area anything’s possible.

I listend to all of yours and Davids Napoleon Podcasts; an excellent series. I’d love to meet you in person. I am an avid Napoleon reader, and on few occasion, used his strategies to great affect during my military career. I live in Harrisburg, PA. Depending on where you will be in NY, you are as little as 3 hrs drive. Let me know, and I’ll make arrangements on my end.

Respctfully,

Mike C.

This is an audio book available at no charge from LibriVox. It is the Reminiscences of Captain Rees Howell Gronow, an English officer, who participated in the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo.
It may not be particularly accurate in its historical detail but it gives a very intimate portrayal of the times, the attitudes of the people involved in the in the Napoleonic Wars. It is deliciously gossipy and full of scandal.

There are several interesting accounts of misconduct of British officers and regiments as well as accounts of disciplinary actions in both French and English armies. A particularly interesting example is the occasion of a French officer requesting a truce so that a French soldier might be publicly executed in front of both armies.

I do want to make a small criticism of your presentation. There is a great deal of speculation on the part of Cameron and David concerning the acts of disloyalty, unethical acts and “Bad faith” negotiations. I think these speculations are rather naïve. As between states loyalty, ethics and good faith are rarely dominant influences. The history of all nations is replete with fratricide, patricide and filicide amongst royal families. To suggest that the Emperor Francis would be restrained by the private interest of his daughter and grandson is quaint. In a similar vein I don’t think it requires too much speculation to see why the coalitions were so determined to be rid of Napoleon and to restore the Bourbons. It is a simple of matter of class interests. It is not dissimilar to the United States’ intractable hostility toward Fidel Castro. Castro and Cuba have done absolutely nothing to harm the United States but they do represent a symbolic threat to the interests of the class that controls the government of the United States.

I am finally catching up to the latest shows. I just finished episode # 55. Will you tell me what record/CD has Mireille Mathieu’s version of La Marsellaise? I found one or two listed on Amazon but I want to be sure to get the version heard on the podacast.

I love the show and have learned a lot by listening to you guys. I hope it goes on and on!

Looks like our issues have been fixed. Please let me know if you continue to have problems!

cheers
Cameron

David, Cameron and Nick; this podcast series is absolutely amazing, keep it up. Being English I was always fascinated with Napoleon but for obvious reasons didn’t know the real story…

Glad to hear that you liked the show, and pleased that it created some discussion. I apologize for the delay between the past two shows. Sorry also if my medication was a little obvious. Part of that is that there was a long delay from when we were expecting to do the show until when we actually started recording, due to some unexpected technical issues on my end. As to Caesar and future biography shows, once I make my move to Toronto and get settled, I will try to get back into this, as I enjoyed it very much.

Thanks again for your appreciation, and also for some kind words of personal encouragement that some have sent me.

Cheers,

David

I greatly enjoyed Nick’s presentation. Nick, you’ve noticeably honed your speaking style from the Hatti shows. You seem more relaxed this time, looks like you are finding your “groove” apace. I look forward to hearing more from you on future shows.

David, sorry to hear of your current difficulties. I hope things work out well for you, as I’m sure they will as the dust settles a bit more.

I am also grateful that you didn’t do anywhere near as much Brit bashing as I was expecting. The history of Ireland is far from the most noble bit of what has gone on these islands. But it is worth bearing in mind that at this point in time the population of Ireland was a bit over half the population of England, Wales and Scotland combined. Both were dwarfed by France, which also had plentiful land, forests and deep navigable rivers. An alliance of an independent Ireland with France would have been the ultimate disaster for England for most of its history – right up until the industrial revolution in fact. When looking at the undoubted attrocities the English carried out you have to bear in mind how easily the boot could have been on the other foot, and how vital an interest the English had in keeping the upper hand.

@Elliot I do know the fears of the British government of Irish Catholics, but most of those fears were fabricated by the British themselves, so the government had little to fear, although the average Brit probably feared. There was no strong allegiance to Rome from the Catholics. Most of them don’t seem at all concerned with it, and as the revolution showed, religion had little to do with it ultimately, although a history of religious oppression set up an atmosphere. As for Northern Ireland, this is a bit of a sideliner, since this is more modern politics rather than historical research relevant to the topic, but I would say that England “saddled” itself with imperialist entanglements when it refused to give the region independence with the rest of Ireland. The majority of the English people have been shown to oppose possessing it, and if the British government wishes to maintain it, it’s its own fault. It created this mess with its poor, disheveled policies.

You do down play the very real fears of the British government of Irish Catholicism. The execution of Charles I in 1649 directly resulted from his attempts to use Irish Catholics to continue the Civil Wars (1642-8). James II during the Glorious Revolution (1689) tried to do much the same thing.

The English are not an overtly religious race, but they do have an abiding distrust of Catholicism which they see as a treat to the rights. This goes back to the 16th and 17th Centuries. It was reinforced by James II who was seen as a monarch who sought to impose the Church of Rome in England.

In these circumstances the fear of a hostile population loyal to Rome caused the backlash against the Irish population.

For the record, today Northern Ireland is not occupied by the English. Rather the English are saddled with this region because a majority of the local population wants to retain the links with the UK and pick the pockets of English taxpayers.

To Nick: the Haiti installments were great, they are an in depth discussion on a largely unknown internal policy, whose impact on N’s career is insignificant, but which is directly connected to Bonaparte and a small, distant part of France outside the main European campaigns… as well as his reaction after Toussaint’s self proclamation.

On the other hand this #58 installment is more connected with the French Revolution and its spread in Europe (and in particular how it was seen by Britain). Bonaparte isn’t a part of this, he has no impact and for him it was also probably a one liner in the papers of the day.

I also personally disliked that the show was not edited properly (audio issues), and the discussion lacked (at least I felt it this way) a proper structure (two shorter installments might have given #58 a basic structure).

audio..http://www.archive.org/details/reminiscences_rg_librivox

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=napoleon%20bonaparte

peninsular war

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=peninsular%20war

interesting stuff..

Author: Jones, John T. (John Thomas), Sir, 1783-1843
Subject: Peninsular War, 1807-1814

http://www.archive.org/details/accountofwarinsp00jone

not sure if this ok on this forum..but i found it interesting.

http://www2.lse.ac.uk/internationalHistory/media/videosAndPodcasts.aspx

Of great interest to me is his military skill and accomplishments. While I enjoy your lively discussion on Napoleon’s political, social, and even personal endeavors, my favorite shows were on his battles and campaigns as well as the Russian generals that faced him.

You see, my hobby is playing military simulation boardgames. Many games have been produced on Napoleon’s battles and campaigns for the past 30+ years. You may have seen these boardgames in stores or may have tried your hand on some of these yourselves.

One of the leading game designers on Napoleonic battles/campaigns is Kevin Zucker. He has been producing Napoleonic wargames since probably the late 70s/early 80s to the present. Together with the games that he publishes, he also releases books that explains the battles called Special Studies that complement the game and gives the gamer/reader a better understanding of what they are playing. Aside from the games, Mr Zucker organizes a yearly trip to certain Napoleonic battle sites and personally gives some of the tours himself as far as I understand.

I guess what I’m driving at is I would be delighted if you could get him on the show and have a discussion on Napoleonic military history and how he translates that to the military simulation boardgames.

He has a website where you could find his products and probably his contact information as well.

http://www.napoleongames.com/index.html

I hope this topic is of interest to you and will eventually produce a show with Mr. Zucker. Thanks again for the podcast and I hope to hear more in the future!

Vlad

p.s. I appreciate it if you could keep this message between us. thanks

Outside of primary documents, it depends what you’re interested in. In general, Marianne Elliott’s “Partners in Revolution: The United Irishmen and France” is a terrific read and got me interested in the first place. On the Franco-Irish situation under Napoleon, as mentioned in the show, John G. Gallaher’s “Napoleon’s Irish Legion” is phenominal (and I would love to hear him do an episode on it!) but regrettably, being out of print, it is exceedingly difficult to get at an affordable price.

If you’re interested in the French campaign in Ireland in 1798, there is a great book by my friend Stephen Dunford called “In Humbert’s Footsteps: Mayo 1798″ but which is also regrettably out of print. It’s not a detailed military record, I should add, but rather studies the social and cultural history of the event, as well as recounting many fascinating first hand accounts and legends while tracing through the exact rout of the French army every step of the way and telling the Irish viewpoint.

If you want more suggestions, let me know and I have more to offer, but I didn’t want to flood the comment section with a list of books if nobody wanted more than a few. Take care, and let me know if you have any further questions or feedback!

You should also mention that Tone was Protestant which is interesting as he did manage to unite the 2 sides. There was also a large grouping of Irish who did not want to break there ties with the English as their economy’s depended on it.

Seriously, great news – A Napoleon #58! You and David Markam have done an excellent job with Napoleon 101. I managed to catch up to #57 a few weeks ago and am now listening to The Biography Show’s “King Arthur”.