Best History Books about Napoleon (2026): 5 Picks

The best history books about Napoleon range from a 112-page kids’ biography to a 752-page life built on original sources. Five books for kids, casual readers and students of the era.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Who Was Napoleon? by Gigliotti	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Napoleon by Zamoyski	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Napoleon by Broers	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Rise of Napoleon by Asprey	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Napoleon's Hemorrhoids by Mason	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Who Was Napoleon? by Gigliotti

Jim Gigliotti·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 112-page kids' biography for ages 8 to 12; best for young readers, too simple for adults.

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Pros

• Reading age 8 to 12 years stated
• Grade level 3 to 7 stated
• 112 pages, approachable for kids

Cons

• Too simple for adult readers
• Covers a full life briefly
• No publisher reading guidance beyond the ages

2

Napoleon by Zamoyski

Adam Zamoyski·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 752-page biography from original European sources; best for serious readers, a long commitment.

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Pros

• 752 pages from original sources
• Portraits done from life per the listing
• 2019 publication, recent scholarship

Cons

• 752 pages, a long commitment
• No reading age or grade stated
• Dense for casual readers

3

Napoleon by Broers

Michael Broers·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 608-page first volume with Napoleon's own voice; best for readers starting a modern biography.

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Pros

• Napoleon in his own uncensored voice
• New research per the listing
• 2015 publication

Cons

• Volume one only; the story continues
• 608 pages
• No reading age stated

4

Rise of Napoleon by Asprey

Robert Asprey·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 608-page first volume of a two-volume life; best for narrative history lovers.

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Pros

• Lush narrative detail per the listing
• First of a two-volume biography
• Covers the full rise

Cons

• Volume one only
• 2000 publication, older
• 608 pages

5

Napoleon's Hemorrhoids by Mason

Phil Mason·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 264-page book of historical anecdotes; best for trivia lovers, not a straight biography.

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Pros

• Short anecdotes, easy to dip into
• 264 pages
• 2019 reissue

Cons

• Only partly about Napoleon
• Anecdotal, not a full history
• Scattered topics

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More picks to compare

• Decline and Fall by BroersFor readers finishing volume one who want the 1811 to 1821 years.Check on Amazon
• Napoleon Bonaparte by WellmanFor readers wanting a short, fast-paced overview.Check on Amazon
• Napoleon: The Path to Power by DwyerFor readers focused on the rise years 1769 to 1799.Check on Amazon
• Napoleonic Wars by WellmanFor readers wanting the wars alongside the biography.Check on Amazon
• The Age of Napoleon by HeroldFor readers wanting the era, not just the man.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given; only one pick states an age and grade. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best history books about napoleon

Match the book to the reader

A young reader gets the clearest start from Who Was Napoleon?, which the listing aims at ages 8 to 12 and grades 3 to 7. An adult reader choosing between the big biographies should weigh depth against commitment: the Zamoyski runs 752 pages from original sources, while the Broers and Asprey first volumes each run 608 pages. Browse the full history and biography shelf for the right level.

Check the volume and the edition

Both the Asprey and the Broers are first volumes of multi-volume biographies, so the story continues in a second book; the Broers second volume on 1811 to 1821 sits in More Picks below. Note publication dates too: the Asprey dates to 2000, the Broers to 2015 and the Zamoyski to 2019. For how military histories compare across eras, see best history books about World War 2.

Before you buy

• Check which volume you are buying: two picks here are volume one of a longer biography.
• Match the reading age and grade level to the reader; only the kids’ pick states them.
• Confirm the edition and print length before ordering for a class.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a beginner start with Napoleon books?

Kids start with Who Was Napoleon? (ages 8 to 12); adults new to the subject get the fullest portrait from Napoleon: The Man Behind the Myth at 752 pages.

What age is Who Was Napoleon? for?

The listing states a reading age of 8 to 12 years and grade level 3 to 7, which suits upper elementary and middle school readers.

Which book covers Napoleon’s fall?

The picks here cover the rise and the life; for the 1811 to 1821 decline and fall, see the Broers second volume in More Picks below.

Still deciding? Our top pickWho Was Napoleon? by Gigliotti

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Related lists

See every history and biography list and all nonfiction lists.

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