Napoleon and the Art of Diplomacy fills a gaping
hole in Napoleonic literature by providing a vital and often neglected
dimension that allows readers to fully understand one of history’s most
intriguing, complex, and powerful leaders. William Nester recently
discussed his upcoming book with publisher Savas Beatie LLC.
: Why did you decide to write a book about Napoleon?
WRN: I’ve been fascinated with Napoleon since I
was a boy. I began writing books on various aspects of international
relations and war back in the late 1980s. So far I have twenty-five
published books. About half of my books deal with more recent subjects
and the other half take place in the eighteenth or early nineteenth
century. Given my interest in Napoleon, writing a book on him was
inevitable sooner or later.
: What makes your book unique from other books about Napoleon?
WRN: Napoleon-related books could fill a small library. Yet my book is the first ever to explore Napoleon and the Art of Diplomacy.
Warriors are not generally known for their diplomatic skills and
Napoleon Bonaparte was no exception. Conquerors are accustomed to
imposing rather than negotiating terms. Yet for Napoleon, the arts of
war and diplomacy meshed. Indeed Napoleon was often just as brilliant
and successful at diplomacy as he was at war. And at times he could also
be as disastrous at the diplomatic table as he was on the battlefield.
: What are some features of Napoleon and the Art of Diplomacy that you think readers will really enjoy?
WRN: I tried to write Napoleon and the Art of Diplomacy
so that it would be as vividly written as it was scholarly and
comprehensive. Readers may be surprised by dimensions of Napoleon’s
character and behavior that they might not have known about before, and
think about those aspects of his life and times that they are familiar
with in new ways.
: What do you hope readers will gain from reading Napoleon and the Art of Diplomacy?
WRN: Like any author I hope that my readers will enjoy an entertaining and insightful exploration of the subject.
: What was your approach to writing Napoleon and the Art of Diplomacy?
WRN: Writing about Napoleon was the culmination of four decades studying and thinking about him.
: Where did you conduct your research on the book?
WRN: I spent an idyllic summer in Paris with a
half dozen hours most days at the Napoleon Foundation, National
Archives, or some other research site which gave my most of my
afternoons and evenings to enjoying the full spectrums of pleasures that
wonderful city provides. Then I traveled for a couple of months
elsewhere in France and other European countries to visit various
archives, museum, and battlefields, along with great restaurants and
historic inns.
: Why was Napoleon's diplomatic career so successful?
WRN: For years, Napoleon was as brilliant at
diplomacy as he was at war until his hubris overwhelmed him. The result
was a tragedy for himself and millions of others on a scale so profound
and vast that Sophocles or Shakespeare would have undoubtedly loved to
have explored it in their dramas.
: Thank you for your time, we appreciate it.
WRN: You’re welcome.
(All copyright laws apply to this interview. However,
this interview may be posted digitally on the internet or printed for
use in newspapers, newsletters, magazines, and other similar uses,
provided it appears in its entirety, and that notice of its use is
provided in advance to sarahs@savasbeatie.com. We also allow partial edited use, with advance permission. Please inquire. Include our website www.savasbeatie.com and email address sales@savasbeatie.com with use. Thank you.)
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