The Age of Napoleon Podcast
The Age of Napoleon is a history podcast about the life and career of Napoleon Bonaparte as well as the general context of Europe between the early eighteenth and early nineteenth century. It is about big trends and the grand sweep of history, as well as the smaller, individual stories that bring them to life.
76
Episode 48: Leaving Egypt
Murat's cavalry secure another crushing victory over the Mamelukes, but news from France leads Napoleon to abandon the expedition
43 min
77
Episode 47: A Spectacle of Death
With the dream of an eastern empire collapsing, Bonaparte launches an invasion of Syria.
39 min
78
Episode 46: The End of Illusion
The expedition's bad luck continues. The people of Egypt finally reach their breaking point.
35 min
79
Episode 45: In Debt with Zachary Stoltzfus
A conversation about debt and property in revolutionary and Napoleonic France
26 min
80
Episode 44: Ali Bonaparte
Relations between France and other great powers deteriorate. The Army of the Orient occupies Cairo, and the French immediately run into difficulties governing.
42 min
81
Episode 43: Brave Despair
The British Mediterranean Fleet under Horatio Nelson spends months chasing the naval component of the Egypt Expedition. They finally catch the French at Aboukir Bay and fight the decisive Battle of the Nile.
31 min
82
Episode 42: The Scorched Plains
The Army of the Orient pushes deeper into Egypt and learns painful lessons about life and death in the desert.
40 min
83
Episode 41: To the Land of the Gods
The Army of the Orient sets sail. They make a brief stop in Malta before landing in Egypt and marching on Alexandria.
50 min
84
Episode 40: Davison Pasha
A conversation with Derek Davison about the state of the Middle East in 1798
64 min
85
Episode 39: East and West
Napoleon cajoles the Austrians into signing a peace treaty and plans to invade Egypt.
48 min
86
Episode 38: The Kansas Campaign
A special interview with military historians Dr. Mark Gerges, Dr. Jonathan Abel, and Dr. John Kuehn
57 min
87
Episode 37: Breaking the Pendulum
While Napoleon fought in Italy, French politics oscillated dangerously between left and right. Finally, a fraught election and divisions within the Directory tore the system apart.
46 min
88
Episode 36: Questions and Answers
We answer listener questions on topics ranging from the organization of the revolutionary armies to pop culture to alternate history hypotheticals.
52 min
89
Episode 35: King of Italy
Bonaparte returns to Italy after Leoben, and is already coming into his own as a political figure.
42 min
90
Episode 34: The Road to Leoben
The First Italian Campaign reaches its less-than-dramatic conclusion with Napoleon's invasion of Austria.
41 min
91
Episode 33: The Final Effort
With the Mantua garrison on the brink of starvation, the Austrians under Alvinczy launch one last relief attempt.
34 min
92
Episode 32: The Fate of Italy
Napoleon faces a new opponent, who gives the Army of Italy their toughest fight of the campaign so far.
47 min
93
Episode 31: The Walls of Mantua
The Army of Italy pushes north to support a French offensive in Germany, but finds Wurmser already back on the march, leading to a major battle at Bassano and a frantic race down from the Alps
42 min
94
Episode 30: Risk and Reward
The Army of Italy faces off against Field Marshal Wurmser, and finds itself in its toughest fight of the campaign so far. Bonaparte takes some calculated risks to even the odds.
46 min
95
Episode 29: To the Victor Go the Spoils
The Army of Italy beats Beaulieu one last time, then takes a lucrative detour south and confronts the Pope. Napoleon and Josephine are finally reunited...
48 min
96
Episode 28: The Liberation of Lombardy
Napoleon finally enters Milan. The French conquest has divided Lombardy-- radicals are eager to follow the example of the revolution
44 min
97
Episode 27: The Legend of Lodi
The First Italian Campaign continues. Napoleon outfoxes the Austrians and takes Milan. The Army of Italy fights a famous battle at Lodi, which probably does not deserve its legendary reputation. We also take a look at Napoleon's propaganda machine.
53 min
98
Episode 26: The Promised Land
The First Italian Campaign begins in dramatic fashion, with two weeks of lightning battles at Montenotte, Millesimo, Dego, Ceva, and Mondovì. Napoleon negotiates with Piedmont, and worries about looting, and about his wife.
56 min
99
Episode 25: Naked and Underfed
We meet the Army of Italy, which Napoleon finds in a "state of destitution." Paris provides little support, but Bonaparte attempts to get his command into shape for the offensive.
45 min
100
Episode 24: To Destiny
For better and for worse, a new government takes over in Paris: the Directory. Napoleon and Josephine are married, and we examine her unhappy early life. Napoleon leaves Paris to meet his destiny.
38 min