This book is by far perhaps the most famous monograph in foreign Napoleonic studies; its author is a professor at the Sorbonne, president of the History of Paris society and the Napoleon Institute, a major researcher of the Great Revolution and the Empire. Under his leadership, the unique Napoleon Dictionary (1987) was published. Jean Tulard's brilliant study is a classic of historical thought. The Russian translation of the book was prepared by Doctor of Philology A.P. Bondarev. Scientific editing was carried out by Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor A. P. Levandovsky. The publication is equipped with a large number of interesting illustrations. CONTENTS: A.P. Levandovsky. About Jean Tulard and his book (5). Jean Tulard. Preface to the Russian edition (10). Introduction. Choice (12).Part one. BIRTH OF THE “SAVIOR”Chapter I. Foreigner (31).Chapter II. Paoli's Man (38).Chapter III. Robespierre's Man (49).Chapter IV. Man of Barras (58).Chapter V. Eastern dream or political maneuver? Expedition to Egypt (73).Part two. THE REVOLUTION SAVEDChapter I. Passive (83).Chapter II. New institutions of power (89).Chapter III. World (101).Chapter IV. Crowned Washington (122).Chapter V Victories on the Continent (139).Chapter VI. Continental blockade (161)..Part three. EQUILIBRIUMChapter I. Napoleonic Empire (169).Chapter II. Kingdom of the Notables (187). Chapter III. Militarized Economy (201).Chapter IV. Empire style: bourgeois or Napoleonic art? (212).Part four. FAILED EXPECTATIONS OF NOTABLES Chapter I. From “savior” to despot (236). Chapter II. Miscalculation: nobility and empire (251).Chapter III. The tilt in foreign policy: the quagmire of the Spanish War (258).Chapter IV. The Awakening of Nationalism (273).Chapter V. Religious Problems (281).Chapter VI. Economic crisis (287).Chapter VII. Defeats (298).Chapter VIII. Collapse (316).Chapter IX. 1815: last choice (329). Chapter X. Legend (341). Conclusion (350). Main dates of the life and activities of Napoleon I (353). Brief bibliography (357).