NAPOLEON - IN A NUTSHELL

French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was "a symbol of human potential, for both good and ill," controlling much of Europe at the high point of his reign before falling when the continent allied against him. This work is meant as an overview, but Wenborn's account of Napoleon's life goes by too fast, at times seeming like a blur of dates and facts. Rupert Degas does a good job with the narration, conveying the information clearly in its near-outline form. His reading of the closing summation of Napoleon's legacy is eloquent. While it provides the basics for listeners unfamiliar with the French conqueror, some listeners will want to go further in depth. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2011]