Burns sees too much, does too much, becomes too good a soldier in too short a time when surrounded by those who have been at their profession for decades. There are moments when Mr. McGrath is able to use the first person POV to make the telling move swiftly. Specifically during a couple of action sequences. But then there are other times when the tale drags and drags, too little happening and then Burns, who has no skills, is appointed to positions of authority without training ahead of other men in the Grande Armee who have the training, showing that the Generals and Marshalls must be idiots to trust in such a position and untried individual.
Because of that, the desire to try and tell every event no matter how small or big, with Burns as a witness, the story loses credibility for me.
It is fine, during such a time, to have the Lieutenant be told of events, or read about them in the papers. He does not need to go to the Coronation, nor be involved in plots there, or with the spying in Boulogne. He is a lieutenant. He is not the only man in the army who speaks english, nor the only man from America so his being signaled out at such and losing his temper as well as McGrath bringing it up to reinforce the title too many times, lessens the work.
No, it is am ambitious project that may span a dozen books, but their are biographies of the Emperor that cover much fewer pages and tell the story of all of Napoleon. Even Chandler's work, The Campaigns of Napoleon may cover less when all is said and done. To bring back my interest, I would see more time covered per volume and done so in third person. Burns needs not be the best at everything. If he is to rise to general, as we have had a foretelling, perhaps making him a tactical genius is all that was ever needed for him to excel. But as he is the best duelist, best lover, best friend and companion, best leader, it has caused me to lose interest and think I should return to Horatio Hornblower whose faults are many and yet perseveres.
Oct 22, Leslie rated it really liked it. Loved this "first" novel about a shipwrecked American ship captain who opts to stay in France and fight with Napoleon's forces at a time when the Emperor is planning an invasion of England. Part of the American's motivation is his heritage a Scots father and a French mother as well as his gratitude to France for assisting the colonists during the Revolution. He overcomes natural skepticism from fellow soldiers when he demonstrates clear-headed thinking and valor in numerous skirmishes, but is Loved this "first" novel about a shipwrecked American ship captain who opts to stay in France and fight with Napoleon's forces at a time when the Emperor is planning an invasion of England.
He overcomes natural skepticism from fellow soldiers when he demonstrates clear-headed thinking and valor in numerous skirmishes, but is constantly involved in intrigue and plotting among his fellow officers. Despite its fictional nature, the author is an authority on the Napoleonic wars and the French officer characters are true to history. The writing is a little stiff in places but overall an exciting page-turner.
See a Problem?
Can't wait for the 2nd book in the saga! James rated it it was amazing Jul 08, Christopher Baird rated it it was amazing Aug 02, Michael S Sullivan rated it really liked it Mar 12, Vasilije rated it it was amazing May 03, Robert Woolwine rated it it was amazing Sep 29, Tyler Burkhalter marked it as to-read Aug 02, Carol Rushing marked it as to-read Aug 06, Johan marked it as to-read Aug 20, Pete marked it as to-read Oct 14, Josiah marked it as to-read Nov 06, Fraser marked it as to-read Nov 25, Jessica Knauss added it Dec 30, John was a farmer and merchant, and Sarah was a daughter of Abraham Norden and a sister of Benjamin Norden, a successful merchant.
The family moved to South Africa in early as part of a government-backed colonization scheme whose participants came to be known as the Settlers. The best available evidence points to February 4, , as the date of Norton's birth. Obituaries published in , following Norton's death, offered conflicting information about his birth date.
His obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle — "following the best information obtainable" —cited the silver plate on his coffin which said he was "aged about 65," [16] suggesting that could be the year of his birth. However, Norton's biographer, William Drury, points out that "about 65" was based solely on the guess that Norton's landlady offered to the coroner at the inquest following his death.
This may help to explain why those who had the stone made used as the birth year — which continues to inform on this issue. The February 4, , edition of The Daily Alta California newspaper included an item in which the Alta wished Emperor Norton a happy 47th birthday, indicating that his birth date was February 4, not , as Cowan claimed — a date that would line up with La Belle Alliance s passenger list from two years later.
The Emperor’s Last Campaign: A Napoleonic Empire in America
Supporting and participating in the series were a number of institutions that long have helped to preserve the historical record of Emperor Norton: None of this is substantiated by contemporaneous documentation. Although Norton prevailed in the lower courts, the case reached the Supreme Court of California , which ruled against Norton. By , Norton had become completely discontented with what he considered the inadequacies of the legal and political structures of the United States. On September 17, , he took matters into his own hands and distributed letters to the various newspapers in the city, proclaiming himself "Emperor of these United States":.
At the peremptory request and desire of a large majority of the citizens of these United States, I, Joshua Norton, formerly of Algoa Bay , Cape of Good Hope, and now for the last 9 years and 10 months past of San Francisco, California, declare and proclaim myself Emperor of these United States; and in virtue of the authority thereby in me vested, do hereby order and direct the representatives of the different States of the Union to assemble in Musical Hall, of this city, on the 1st day of February next, then and there to make such alterations in the existing laws of the Union as may ameliorate the evils under which the country is laboring, and thereby cause confidence to exist, both at home and abroad, in our stability and integrity.
The announcement was first printed for humorous effect by the editor of the San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin. Norton issued numerous decrees on matters of the state, including a decree on October 12, to formally abolish the United States Congress. In it, he observed:. Norton ordered all interested parties to assemble at Platt's Music Hall in San Francisco in February to "remedy the evil complained of". In an imperial decree the following month, Norton summoned the Army to depose the elected officials of the U.
Norton's orders were ignored by the Army, and Congress likewise continued without any formal acknowledgement of the decree. Further decrees in ordered dissolution of the republic and forbade the assembly of any members of the former Congress. He issued a mandate in ordering both the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant churches to publicly ordain him as "Emperor", hoping to resolve the many disputes that had resulted in the Civil War.
Norton then turned his attention to other matters, both political and social. He declared the abolition of the Democratic and Republican parties on August 12, , "being desirous of allaying the dissensions of party strife now existing within our realm". Whoever after due and proper warning shall be heard to utter the abominable word "Frisco," which has no linguistic or other warrant, shall be deemed guilty of a High Misdemeanor, and shall pay into the Imperial Treasury as penalty the sum of twenty-five dollars.
Norton was occasionally a visionary, and some of his Imperial Decrees exhibited profound foresight. He issued instructions to form a League of Nations , [32] he explicitly forbade any form of conflict between religions or their sects, and he decreed the construction of a suspension bridge or tunnel connecting Oakland and San Francisco. His later decrees, however, became increasingly irritated at the lack of prompt obedience by the authorities:. WHEREAS, we issued our decree ordering the citizens of San Francisco and Oakland to appropriate funds for the survey of a suspension bridge from Oakland Point via Goat Island ; also for a tunnel; and to ascertain which is the best project; and whereas the said citizens have hitherto neglected to notice our said decree; and whereas we are determined our authority shall be fully respected; now, therefore, we do hereby command the arrest by the army of both the Boards of City Fathers if they persist in neglecting our decrees.
Given under our royal hand and seal at San Francisco, this 17th day of September, Long after his death, similar structures were built in the form of the San Francisco—Oakland Bay Bridge [34] and the Transbay Tube , [33] [35] and there have been campaigns to rename the bridge "The Emperor Norton Bridge".
Norton spent his days inspecting San Francisco's streets in an elaborate blue uniform with gold-plated epaulettes, given to him by officers of the United States Army post at the Presidio of San Francisco. He also wore a beaver hat decorated with a peacock feather and a rosette. During his inspections, he would examine the condition of the sidewalks and cable cars, the state of repair of public property, and the appearance of police officers. During the s and s, there were occasional anti-Chinese demonstrations in the poorer districts of San Francisco, and riots took place, sometimes resulting in fatalities.
During one incident, Norton allegedly positioned himself between the rioters and their Chinese targets; with a bowed head, he started reciting the Lord's Prayer repeatedly until the rioters dispersed without incident. Norton caricaturist Edward Jump started a rumor claiming that Norton had two dogs named Bummer and Lazarus which were also San Francisco celebrities.
- Removing the Barriers to Efficient Manufacturing: Real-World Applications of Lean Productivity;
- The Emperor's Last Campaign: A Napoleonic Empire in America - theranchhands.com;
- Customers who bought this item also bought.
- The Emperor’s American | Bernard Cornwell?
- PERFECT DIET: Do your diet plan with your favorite food.
Special officer Armand Barbier was part of a local auxiliary force whose members were called "policemen" but in fact were private security guards paid by neighborhood residents and business owners, and he arrested Norton in to commit him to involuntary treatment for a mental disorder. Police officers of San Francisco thereafter saluted him as he passed in the street.
It also notes that he was insane. Norton issued his own money in the form of scrips which were accepted from him by restaurants in San Francisco. The city of San Francisco also honored Norton. When his uniform began to look shabby, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors bought him a suitably regal replacement. Norton sent a gracious thank you note and issued a "patent of nobility in perpetuity" for each supervisor.
Norton was the subject of many tales. One popular story suggested that he was the son of Emperor Napoleon III and that his claim of coming from South Africa was a ruse to prevent persecution. A number of decrees were printed in local newspapers that were probably fraudulent, and it is believed that newspaper editors themselves drafted fictitious edicts to suit their own agendas. Norton died before a carriage could arrive. The Call reported, "On the reeking pavement, in the darkness of a moonless night, under the dripping rain It quickly became evident that Norton had died in complete poverty, contrary to rumors of wealth.
In those situations, he speaks English, which is a given, and it is easily understood from how the author presents these scenes.
- Available from:.
- Maxim Gunn The Sun Fortress?
- The Emperor's American.
- Navigation menu!
- Firekeeper.
- Exposure (The Vangeretta Curse Series)?
At all other times Burns is with French soldiers and civilians, and we don't need to be reminded about this in such an awkward manner. Rather, it is silly, unnecessary, and distracting. I sincerely hope it will not be with us all the way to Waterloo. Otherwise, I'll be getting off at the Battle of Elchingen.
I noticed the author's tendency to break another historical fiction caveat, which is using obvious anachronisms. I understand that soldiers speak informally, even uncouthly, but in and , they do not do so in 21st century language. Burns is fond of describing many things as "a tad" this or "a tad" that. He had a hard time "wrapping [his] head around" something, wanted to "make someone lose their cool," told someone else "not to worry," and frequently used my personal favorite "alright.
Words and phrases must belong to the time in which the story takes place. The author is a Napoleonic re-enactor because he said he wanted to "to taste the gunpowder, hear the drums and volleys of musket fire, feel the wool of uniforms. Occasionally he spent more time that he needed detailing every step, every maneuver, every volley of Ney's entire corps and Burns's men, but not to an extent I'd call excessive. Being a re-enactor, however, did not give the author sufficient experience with how officers and men addressed each other in the Army of the Ocean Coasts.
A sub-lieutenant is a uniquely British naval rank. I'm scratching my head at any soldier saying "Bonjour" as he salutes a colonel. I would also like to see some real consistency with regard to Burns's unit. I noticed too that the author said he would refer to the folks on the other side of the Channel as English, because that was more appropriate for the time, rather than British, which implied the inclusion of the Irish, Welsh, and other parts of the British Empire.
That's fine, but he interchanged both terms throughout, sometimes in the same or adjacent sentences.
theranchhands.com: The Emperor's American (): Art McGrath: Books
On one occasion these folks were actually referred to as "Brits. The other--and final--issue I have with the book is the author's fondness for having Burns tell us a great deal of information about all sorts of things and all at one time. This is known fondly as "info dumps," and should be avoided, or if the information is crucial, find a way to work it in by manageable bits and pieces. I understand that Burns is writing this story in the form of a letter to Joseph Bonaparte, and thus he has more latitude than he would if this had been a straight first-person narrative.
Now, all this having been said, I would still wholeheartedly recommend this book.
Emperor Norton
I wish it did not have the problems and idiosyncrasies that bothered me, and perhaps they won't bother anyone else. I do hope the next book will be better, and the book after that. I will certainly buy and read them. I also hope that when Lieutenant Burns, perhaps Captain Burns by that time, reaches the Iberian Peninsula, he will encounter Rifleman Sharpe, and shoot him.
Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. I bought this book and was looking forward to a good read. The characters are well rounded and the interaction is plausible. The settings are vivid and interesting. An American serving in Napoleon's army would seem a stretch but it works. A son of a French mother and a Jacobite Scottish father married in America works. The majority of the book takes place as Napoleon prepares the invasion of England. There's something for everyone, political intrigue , military action, romance, as well as well as triumphs and tragedy Mr. McGrath has written a very good book with good action, believable people and set in a very interesting time in European history.
I hope I do not have to wait to long for the next book. Good for a first book of a series. The hero is interesting. Every good hero has a flaw but this guy seems to go out of his way to make enemies. Very refreshing to read a Napoleonic novel which is based from a French point of view.
One person found this helpful. I was leery whether I'd like this book or not. I'm really not that fond of the French but the author did really well. It's a book you can't put down. I didn't verify any of his history but IF it is not real he did a very good job at making sound real. A must read for all who enjoy historical fiction.