Generals and Napoleon

While Napoleon’s armies fought brilliant battles across Spain and Portugal, their greatest enemy wasn’t always the British or the guerrillas — it was logistics.

Supplying tens of thousands of soldiers across rugged mountains, scorched plains, and hostile territory tested the limits of Napoleonic warfare. Food shortages, broken supply lines, and guerrilla ambushes made every march a struggle for survival.

In this video, special gu...

In August 1813, amid the German Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon faced one of his greatest challenges — the combined might of Austria, Prussia, and Russia. The Battle of Dresden would become his last major battlefield triumph, showcasing his tactical genius even as the empire began to crumble.

Special guest Winston Valentine discusses Napoleon’s maneuvers, use of terrain, and daring counterattacks that crushed the Coalition...

Few men stood closer to Napoleon Bonaparte than General Jean Rapp — a fearless soldier, loyal aide-de-camp, and hero of some of the Empire’s fiercest battles. From Austerlitz to Borodino, Rapp’s bravery and devotion made him one of the most respected figures of the Grande Armée.

Special guest Jonas de Neef shares how this Alsatian officer rose from humble beginnings to become a Count of the Empire, Governor of Danzig, and one of the...

🎖️ We return for Part II of the Top 15 Battles of the Napoleonic Era

Step into the age of empires and ambition — this video counts down the Top 15 Battles of the Napoleonic Era, where strategy, courage, and destiny shaped the course of Europe. From the stunning triumph at Austerlitz to the final reckoning at Waterloo, discover how Napoleon Bonaparte’s genius — and his opponents’ resilience — changed warfare forever.

Join our fan...

🎖️ What Were the Top 15 Battles of the Napoleonic Era?

Step into the age of empires and ambition — this video counts down the Top 15 Battles of the Napoleonic Era, where strategy, courage, and destiny shaped the course of Europe. From the stunning triumph at Austerlitz to the final reckoning at Waterloo, discover how Napoleon’s genius — and his opponents’ resilience — changed warfare forever.

Join our fantastic panel of guests - Ma...

🌍 From an unknown Corsican artillery lieutenant to Emperor — Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise is one of history’s most dramatic stories. Special guest Rafe Blaufarb joins the show to discuss how Napoleon climbed the ranks during the French Revolution, won stunning victories, and seized power to reshape Europe forever.

⚔️ In this video, we’ll cover:

• Napoleon’s early military career as a young officer

• His breakthrough at Toulon and ri...

🔴 The Battles of Ligny & Quatre-Bras | Napoleon’s Final Gamble Begins 🔴
In this episode, we dive deep into the critical twin battles that set the stage for Waterloo: Ligny and Quatre-Bras, both fought on June 16, 1815. Special guest & author Gareth Glover discusses how Napoleon's last great victory at Ligny was undercut by missed opportunities, and how the Duke of Wellington's stubborn stand at Quatre-Bras helped shape the...

Discover the dramatic story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s state funeral and the return of his remains to France in 1840, nearly two decades after his death on Saint Helena. Special guest Charles Mackay joins us to explores the political symbolism, the public reaction, and the elaborate procession that accompanied the Emperor’s final journey through Paris to Les Invalides.

Learn why King Louis-Philippe agreed to bring Napoleon home, ho...

👑 Charles X of France – The Last Bourbon King 👑

Charles X (1757–1836) was the final reigning monarch of the Bourbon line in France. Brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, Charles inherited the throne in 1824 during the Bourbon Restoration. Special guest & podcaster David Montgomery joins the show to discuss his reign, which was marked by attempts to roll back the French Revolution.

Deeply conservative, Charles X pushed polic...

The Battle of Bailén (July 16–19, 1808) was a shocking defeat for Napoleon’s forces during the Peninsular War—and the first time a French field army surrendered in open battle. Special guest and author Josh Provan discusses how Spanish General Castaños surrounded and crushed General Dupont’s troops, forcing over 17,000 French soldiers to lay down their arms.

This stunning Spanish victory electrified Europe, shattered the myth of...

General Horace Sébastiani was more than just a cavalry officer—he was a battlefield commander, imperial diplomat, and political survivor in one of the most turbulent eras in French history. From the thunder of hooves in Spain and Russia to the quiet halls of diplomacy, Sébastiani’s career spanned empires, revolutions, and restorations.

Special guest and author Jonathan North joins the show to explore the remarkable journey of a...

Part II of our Ultimate ranking of the Top 15 Generals of the Napoleonic Era!

Step into the boots of the greatest military minds of the Napoleonic Wars. In this episode of Generals and Napoleon, we count down the Top 15 generals of the Napoleonic Era—the brilliant, bold, and often controversial commanders who shaped European history between 1796 and 1815.

Join our brilliant panel of guests - Rachael Stark, Graeme Callister, Nick Kra...

🎖️ Who Were the Top 15 Generals of the Napoleonic Era?

Step into the greatest military minds of the Napoleonic Wars. In this episode of Generals and Napoleon, we count down the Top 15 generals of the Napoleonic Era—the brilliant, bold, and often controversial commanders who shaped European history between 1796 and 1815.

Join our brilliant panel of guests - Rachael Stark, Graeme Callister, Nick Kramer, Michael Hamel, and Jo...

Discover the untold story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s parents — Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino — and how their influence shaped the future Emperor of France. 🏛️

Special guest John Kuehn joins the show to help us dive into the lives of this Corsican couple:

• Carlo Buonaparte, a lawyer and political opportunist, who navigated the turbulent politics of 18th-century Corsica.

• Letizia Ramolino, Napoleon’s strong-willed mother, known ...

In this episode, we explore the Battle of Trafalgar, the decisive naval clash of October 21, 1805, where Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson and the Royal Navy shattered Napoleon Bonaparte’s hopes of invading Britain. Learn how Nelson’s bold tactics, including the famous two-column attack, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets under Admiral Villeneuve, securing British naval supremacy for more than a century.

Special guest Josh Me...

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of General Jan Henryk Dombrowski, the Polish patriot who fought to restore his nation’s independence—on and off the battlefield.

From the formation of the Polish Legions in Italy to his leadership under Napoleon Bonaparte, Dombrowski became a symbol of national resilience and pride. Special guest Jonathan North joins the show to examine his key military campaigns, his relationship with...

In this episode, we examine the Battle of Talavera (July 27–28, 1809), a hard-fought clash of the Peninsular War where Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, won his first major battlefield victory over Napoleon’s marshals in Spain. Facing the French armies of Marshal Victor and King Joseph Bonaparte, British and Spanish forces held firm against repeated attacks under brutal summer conditions.

Special guest Josh Pro...

In this episode, we break down Napoleon’s military strategies and the battlefield principles that made him the most feared commander of the Napoleonic Wars. From the corps system and rapid maneuver to central position, decisive battle, and relentless pursuit, Napoleon reshaped how wars were fought across Europe.

Special guest & podcaster Jonathan Abel explores how Napoleon used speed, deception, and concentration of force to...

In this episode, we compare and contrast 2 minds of war: Clausewitz vs. Jomini. Special guest and professor Joshua Meeks joins the show to give us an overview on their respective biographies and their military theories. We will discuss all of the following:

🔍 1. Philosophy of War

🎯 Theory vs. Application

🧠 View of the Commander

⚔️ Tactical and Strategic Emphasis

🌍 Legacy and Influence

Thanks for watching/listening!

X/Twit...