Sloane brings us to the final, dramatic act of Napoleon's story. After the glory of empire, we follow him into a series of crushing defeats. The book vividly paints the retreat from Moscow, a chaotic disaster that breaks his army. We see his desperate attempts to hold onto power, the coalition of European nations rising against him, and his forced abdication. The story doesn't stop at Waterloo, though. It spends significant time on his second exile—the long, slow years on St. Helena where the former emperor argues with his captors, writes his memoirs, and confronts his own legacy.

Why You Should Read It

This volume is powerful because it shows Napoleon as a man, not just a force of history. Sloane doesn't paint him as a simple villain or hero. We see his brilliant mind making terrible strategic errors, his charisma fading, and his health failing. The most compelling parts are the small, human details: his relationships with his few remaining loyalists on St. Helena, his bitterness, and his fading hope. It makes you think about the cost of ambition and how quickly fortune can turn.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who's followed Napoleon's rise and wants to see the compelling, human end of the story. You don't need to be a military expert; Sloane focuses on the personal drama of the fall. If you like biographies that feel like you're watching a great, tragic play unfold, this final volume delivers. It’s a sobering and unforgettable end to one of history's most colossal lives.