Former French Emperor Napoleon has been imprisoned on a dark wart in the Atlantic since his defea... more Former French Emperor Napoleon has been imprisoned on a dark wart in the Atlantic since his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. Rescued in a state of near-death by Gulf pirate Jean Laffite, Napoleon lands in New Orleans, where he struggles to regain his health aided by voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. Opponents of the Bourbon regime expect him to reconquer France. French Canadians beg him to seize Canada from Britain. American adventurers urge him to steal Texas from Mexico. His brother Joseph pleads with him to settle peacefully in New Jersey.
As Napoleon restlessly explores his new land, he frets about his legacy. He fears for the future of his ten-year-old son, trapped in the velvet fetters of the Austrian court. While the British, French and American governments follow his activities with growing alarm, remnants of the Grande Armée flock to him with growing anticipation. Are Napoleon’s intentions as peaceful as he says they are? If not, does he still have the qualities necessary to lead a winning campaign?
Using only historical characters, and including a number of actual historical events (e.g. the 1823 French invasion of Spain), this book has been called "semi-historical fiction." Approximately 300 sources were consulted in an attempt to make the novel a "plausible whopper."
One thing that early European visitors to the Great Plains commented on was the sight of vast her... more One thing that early European visitors to the Great Plains commented on was the sight of vast herds of buffalo. Here is a description of a 19th-century buffalo hunt as well as some interesting facts about buffaloes.
Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821 as a British prisoner on the remote South Atlantic island ... more Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821 as a British prisoner on the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena. In 1840, his remains were dug up and transported to France on the ship La Belle Poule. On December 15, 1840, they were conveyed through Paris in a grand funeral procession, culminating in a mass at the Dôme des Invalides. In the words of a British observer, Napoleon’s funeral was “the strangest mixture of sorrow and triumph that human ingenuity could have derived.”
The reign of Napoleon I ended in 1815, more than a decade before the world’s oldest surviving pho... more The reign of Napoleon I ended in 1815, more than a decade before the world’s oldest surviving photograph was taken in France in 1826-27. The restored Bourbons were pushed off the throne in 1830, eight years before Louis Daguerre took the oldest surviving photograph that shows people. Yet photographs of members of the royal family from both the First Empire and the Second Restoration exist, as do photographs of King Louis-Philippe, who was forced to abdicate in 1848. There are numerous photos of Napoleon III and his family, who reigned from 1852 to 1870.
Like the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars – which raged across Europe from 1803 to 1815 – c... more Like the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars – which raged across Europe from 1803 to 1815 – caused a number of French people to flee to America. Some regarded themselves as Frenchmen living in exile and returned to France at the first opportunity. Others stayed and became part of American society. Here are five prominent French refugees who wound up in the United States during the Napoleonic Wars.
Does historical accuracy of place matter? By historical accuracy of place, I mean the concept tha... more Does historical accuracy of place matter? By historical accuracy of place, I mean the concept that a specific physical location – a building, a piece of ground, a geographic coordinate – that is claimed to be of historical significance actually was the site of the historical event from which the claim is derived. The question is not ‘did the historical event happen?’ The question is ‘did the historical event happen here?’ In short, does it matter if historical markers are in the wrong place?
The Battle of Leipzig, fought from October 16 to 19, 1813 in Saxony (Germany), was the largest ba... more The Battle of Leipzig, fought from October 16 to 19, 1813 in Saxony (Germany), was the largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars. Over half a million soldiers were involved. Napoleon Bonaparte and his army of roughly 200,000 men were defeated by over 300,000 soldiers from the armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden, led by Russian Tsar Alexander I and Austrian Field Marshal Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg. Because of the number of countries involved, the Battle of Leipzig is also known as the Battle of the Nations. It was the biggest battle in Europe prior to World War I.
In 1818, British obstetrician James Blundell performed the first human-to-human blood transfusion... more In 1818, British obstetrician James Blundell performed the first human-to-human blood transfusion. Although the patient died, Blundell’s transfusion experiments, and his certainty that human patients required human blood, led to advances in transfusion medicine that continue into the present.
Notwithstanding the unflattering caricatures, mocking songs, and other portrayals of Napoleon Bon... more Notwithstanding the unflattering caricatures, mocking songs, and other portrayals of Napoleon Bonaparte as the number one enemy of England, the French Emperor had British sympathizers during the Napoleonic Wars. They were primarily liberal Whigs, who opposed the ruling Tory Party, criticized the absolute monarchs of Europe, and did not want the Bourbons restored to power in France. Here is a look at some of the most prominent supporters of Napoleon in England.
The Battle of Borodino, fought on September 7, 1812, was the bloodiest single day of fighting in ... more The Battle of Borodino, fought on September 7, 1812, was the bloodiest single day of fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. Although Borodino was a French victory, it was a Pyrrhic one.
When Joseph Bonaparte was King of Spain, he was also, by default, the ruler of Mexico, or New Spa... more When Joseph Bonaparte was King of Spain, he was also, by default, the ruler of Mexico, or New Spain as it was called at the time. The Mexicans didn’t like him. Did they then offer Joseph a crown when he was in exile in the United States and they were seeking independence from Spain?
Women who wanted to keep fit in the early 19th century had to contend with the notion that they w... more Women who wanted to keep fit in the early 19th century had to contend with the notion that they were too delicate for many forms of exercise. They also had to deal with clothing that constrained their physical movement. The following recommendations were aimed at women in the upper and middle classes of society.
Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821, on St. Helena, probably of stomach cancer. Napoleon notic... more Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821, on St. Helena, probably of stomach cancer. Napoleon noticed that his health was declining in the fall of 1820. By the end of that year, his illness had become apparent to those around him. Here are some vignettes of Napoleon’s final months, as recorded by those closest to him.
One question I am often asked is whether Napoleon Bonaparte has any living descendants, or whethe... more One question I am often asked is whether Napoleon Bonaparte has any living descendants, or whether a particular sibling of Napoleon has any living descendants. Another version of the question is whether there are any Bonaparte descendants living in America. Here is a handy summary to help you keep track.
John Quincy Adams was the first president to install a billiard table in the White House. This “g... more John Quincy Adams was the first president to install a billiard table in the White House. This “gambling furniture” in the “President’s Palace” exposed Adams to much unfair criticism, and was used against him by supporters of Andrew Jackson in the presidential election campaign of 1828.
Spring cleaning involved considerable time, elbow grease, and disruption for 19th-century houseke... more Spring cleaning involved considerable time, elbow grease, and disruption for 19th-century housekeepers.
Napoleon Bonaparte tried to commit suicide in the early hours of April 13, 1814, rather than resi... more Napoleon Bonaparte tried to commit suicide in the early hours of April 13, 1814, rather than resign himself to a life in exile on Elba.
Foot washing, or the Washing of the Feet, is a religious ceremony performed by many Christians on... more Foot washing, or the Washing of the Feet, is a religious ceremony performed by many Christians on the Thursday before Easter. On Maundy Thursday in 1837, Empress Maria Anna of Austria washed the feet of elderly paupers. English writer Frances Milton Trollope witnessed the ceremony at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.
Ever get the feeling that you’ve seen a particular news story before? Is it a story about a suppo... more Ever get the feeling that you’ve seen a particular news story before? Is it a story about a supposedly interesting or unusual occurrence that gives the appearance of having just happened, but in fact has been circulating for months, or years, on many different sites, and is not even very interesting or unusual? You are not alone. Stupid news has been around for at least 200 years. Here are some examples from the 19th century.
Many of the French and Creole inhabitants of early 19th-century New Orleans were sympathetic to N... more Many of the French and Creole inhabitants of early 19th-century New Orleans were sympathetic to Napoleon. They disliked England, their opponent in the Battle of New Orleans. Something of the feeling of the time can be gathered from a riot that took place in the city over a French flag on a British ship in March of 1817.
Former French Emperor Napoleon has been imprisoned on a dark wart in the Atlantic since his defea... more Former French Emperor Napoleon has been imprisoned on a dark wart in the Atlantic since his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. Rescued in a state of near-death by Gulf pirate Jean Laffite, Napoleon lands in New Orleans, where he struggles to regain his health aided by voodoo priestess Marie Laveau. Opponents of the Bourbon regime expect him to reconquer France. French Canadians beg him to seize Canada from Britain. American adventurers urge him to steal Texas from Mexico. His brother Joseph pleads with him to settle peacefully in New Jersey.
As Napoleon restlessly explores his new land, he frets about his legacy. He fears for the future of his ten-year-old son, trapped in the velvet fetters of the Austrian court. While the British, French and American governments follow his activities with growing alarm, remnants of the Grande Armée flock to him with growing anticipation. Are Napoleon’s intentions as peaceful as he says they are? If not, does he still have the qualities necessary to lead a winning campaign?
Using only historical characters, and including a number of actual historical events (e.g. the 1823 French invasion of Spain), this book has been called "semi-historical fiction." Approximately 300 sources were consulted in an attempt to make the novel a "plausible whopper."
One thing that early European visitors to the Great Plains commented on was the sight of vast her... more One thing that early European visitors to the Great Plains commented on was the sight of vast herds of buffalo. Here is a description of a 19th-century buffalo hunt as well as some interesting facts about buffaloes.
Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821 as a British prisoner on the remote South Atlantic island ... more Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821 as a British prisoner on the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena. In 1840, his remains were dug up and transported to France on the ship La Belle Poule. On December 15, 1840, they were conveyed through Paris in a grand funeral procession, culminating in a mass at the Dôme des Invalides. In the words of a British observer, Napoleon’s funeral was “the strangest mixture of sorrow and triumph that human ingenuity could have derived.”
The reign of Napoleon I ended in 1815, more than a decade before the world’s oldest surviving pho... more The reign of Napoleon I ended in 1815, more than a decade before the world’s oldest surviving photograph was taken in France in 1826-27. The restored Bourbons were pushed off the throne in 1830, eight years before Louis Daguerre took the oldest surviving photograph that shows people. Yet photographs of members of the royal family from both the First Empire and the Second Restoration exist, as do photographs of King Louis-Philippe, who was forced to abdicate in 1848. There are numerous photos of Napoleon III and his family, who reigned from 1852 to 1870.
Like the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars – which raged across Europe from 1803 to 1815 – c... more Like the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars – which raged across Europe from 1803 to 1815 – caused a number of French people to flee to America. Some regarded themselves as Frenchmen living in exile and returned to France at the first opportunity. Others stayed and became part of American society. Here are five prominent French refugees who wound up in the United States during the Napoleonic Wars.
Does historical accuracy of place matter? By historical accuracy of place, I mean the concept tha... more Does historical accuracy of place matter? By historical accuracy of place, I mean the concept that a specific physical location – a building, a piece of ground, a geographic coordinate – that is claimed to be of historical significance actually was the site of the historical event from which the claim is derived. The question is not ‘did the historical event happen?’ The question is ‘did the historical event happen here?’ In short, does it matter if historical markers are in the wrong place?
The Battle of Leipzig, fought from October 16 to 19, 1813 in Saxony (Germany), was the largest ba... more The Battle of Leipzig, fought from October 16 to 19, 1813 in Saxony (Germany), was the largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars. Over half a million soldiers were involved. Napoleon Bonaparte and his army of roughly 200,000 men were defeated by over 300,000 soldiers from the armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden, led by Russian Tsar Alexander I and Austrian Field Marshal Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg. Because of the number of countries involved, the Battle of Leipzig is also known as the Battle of the Nations. It was the biggest battle in Europe prior to World War I.
In 1818, British obstetrician James Blundell performed the first human-to-human blood transfusion... more In 1818, British obstetrician James Blundell performed the first human-to-human blood transfusion. Although the patient died, Blundell’s transfusion experiments, and his certainty that human patients required human blood, led to advances in transfusion medicine that continue into the present.
Notwithstanding the unflattering caricatures, mocking songs, and other portrayals of Napoleon Bon... more Notwithstanding the unflattering caricatures, mocking songs, and other portrayals of Napoleon Bonaparte as the number one enemy of England, the French Emperor had British sympathizers during the Napoleonic Wars. They were primarily liberal Whigs, who opposed the ruling Tory Party, criticized the absolute monarchs of Europe, and did not want the Bourbons restored to power in France. Here is a look at some of the most prominent supporters of Napoleon in England.
The Battle of Borodino, fought on September 7, 1812, was the bloodiest single day of fighting in ... more The Battle of Borodino, fought on September 7, 1812, was the bloodiest single day of fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. Although Borodino was a French victory, it was a Pyrrhic one.
When Joseph Bonaparte was King of Spain, he was also, by default, the ruler of Mexico, or New Spa... more When Joseph Bonaparte was King of Spain, he was also, by default, the ruler of Mexico, or New Spain as it was called at the time. The Mexicans didn’t like him. Did they then offer Joseph a crown when he was in exile in the United States and they were seeking independence from Spain?
Women who wanted to keep fit in the early 19th century had to contend with the notion that they w... more Women who wanted to keep fit in the early 19th century had to contend with the notion that they were too delicate for many forms of exercise. They also had to deal with clothing that constrained their physical movement. The following recommendations were aimed at women in the upper and middle classes of society.
Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821, on St. Helena, probably of stomach cancer. Napoleon notic... more Napoleon Bonaparte died on May 5, 1821, on St. Helena, probably of stomach cancer. Napoleon noticed that his health was declining in the fall of 1820. By the end of that year, his illness had become apparent to those around him. Here are some vignettes of Napoleon’s final months, as recorded by those closest to him.
One question I am often asked is whether Napoleon Bonaparte has any living descendants, or whethe... more One question I am often asked is whether Napoleon Bonaparte has any living descendants, or whether a particular sibling of Napoleon has any living descendants. Another version of the question is whether there are any Bonaparte descendants living in America. Here is a handy summary to help you keep track.
John Quincy Adams was the first president to install a billiard table in the White House. This “g... more John Quincy Adams was the first president to install a billiard table in the White House. This “gambling furniture” in the “President’s Palace” exposed Adams to much unfair criticism, and was used against him by supporters of Andrew Jackson in the presidential election campaign of 1828.
Spring cleaning involved considerable time, elbow grease, and disruption for 19th-century houseke... more Spring cleaning involved considerable time, elbow grease, and disruption for 19th-century housekeepers.
Napoleon Bonaparte tried to commit suicide in the early hours of April 13, 1814, rather than resi... more Napoleon Bonaparte tried to commit suicide in the early hours of April 13, 1814, rather than resign himself to a life in exile on Elba.
Foot washing, or the Washing of the Feet, is a religious ceremony performed by many Christians on... more Foot washing, or the Washing of the Feet, is a religious ceremony performed by many Christians on the Thursday before Easter. On Maundy Thursday in 1837, Empress Maria Anna of Austria washed the feet of elderly paupers. English writer Frances Milton Trollope witnessed the ceremony at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.
Ever get the feeling that you’ve seen a particular news story before? Is it a story about a suppo... more Ever get the feeling that you’ve seen a particular news story before? Is it a story about a supposedly interesting or unusual occurrence that gives the appearance of having just happened, but in fact has been circulating for months, or years, on many different sites, and is not even very interesting or unusual? You are not alone. Stupid news has been around for at least 200 years. Here are some examples from the 19th century.
Many of the French and Creole inhabitants of early 19th-century New Orleans were sympathetic to N... more Many of the French and Creole inhabitants of early 19th-century New Orleans were sympathetic to Napoleon. They disliked England, their opponent in the Battle of New Orleans. Something of the feeling of the time can be gathered from a riot that took place in the city over a French flag on a British ship in March of 1817.
The “Napoleon delusion,” a form of mental illness in which a person believes he is Napoleon Bonap... more The “Napoleon delusion,” a form of mental illness in which a person believes he is Napoleon Bonaparte, has long been a popular stereotype. “Delusions of grandeur” accounted for more than 25 percent of diagnoses of insanity in France in the 1830s. While there is only one identified case of a woman claiming to be Napoleon, many women claimed to be Napoleon’s wife.
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As Napoleon restlessly explores his new land, he frets about his legacy. He fears for the future of his ten-year-old son, trapped in the velvet fetters of the Austrian court. While the British, French and American governments follow his activities with growing alarm, remnants of the Grande Armée flock to him with growing anticipation. Are Napoleon’s intentions as peaceful as he says they are? If not, does he still have the qualities necessary to lead a winning campaign?
Using only historical characters, and including a number of actual historical events (e.g. the 1823 French invasion of Spain), this book has been called "semi-historical fiction." Approximately 300 sources were consulted in an attempt to make the novel a "plausible whopper."
As Napoleon restlessly explores his new land, he frets about his legacy. He fears for the future of his ten-year-old son, trapped in the velvet fetters of the Austrian court. While the British, French and American governments follow his activities with growing alarm, remnants of the Grande Armée flock to him with growing anticipation. Are Napoleon’s intentions as peaceful as he says they are? If not, does he still have the qualities necessary to lead a winning campaign?
Using only historical characters, and including a number of actual historical events (e.g. the 1823 French invasion of Spain), this book has been called "semi-historical fiction." Approximately 300 sources were consulted in an attempt to make the novel a "plausible whopper."