I'm John Constance of Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2021 I became frustrated with the negative tone and content of social media and decided that the world needed a more positive alternative. I have been blessed with a wonderful life and an interesting career in Washington, DC. I decided that the people, places, and things that I had experienced could be used to brighten your day. So I started this blog.
Fair warning. This book is not just a read...it is a project. When I opened it as a present from my family at Christmas, they took one look at the girth of the 926-page biography, and all agreed that they would prefer the 2-hour movie. But alas, I am highly recommending that you take on this project and dive into Andrew Roberts' excellent chronicle of the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon, A Life is an exceptional biography of an exceptional man. Bold military leader, political craftsman, and prolific creative writer, our familiarity with his name is no wonder as we walk through his accomplishments. Roberts writes in an approachable and easily readable style, and while this book is chocked full of detail, it avoids both ponderous prose and any sense that you are climbing a 1,000-page mountain. His descriptions of Josephine and the dalliances of the court read like a novel and his ability to place you on the battlefield or struggling to move cannons over the snowy Alps will keep you on the edge of your seat. I recommend without hesitation and hope that you will venture forth to learn more about this extraordinary leader. Napoleon, A Life was published by Penguin Books in 2014.
