Published in 1827, just a few years after Napoleon’s death, this book is a piece of pure, audacious satire. Jean-Baptiste Pérès, a provincial lawyer and librarian, presents his case with a perfectly straight face.

The Story

There's no traditional plot here. Instead, Pérès lays out an argument, point by point, as if he were in a courtroom. He claims that 'Napoleon Bonaparte' is not a historical figure, but a solar myth. He takes all the famous details of Napoleon's life—his rise and fall, his twelve marshals (like the twelve signs of the zodiac), his exile to an island in the west (like the setting sun)—and argues they are just recycled stories from ancient sun worship. He uses the same kind of comparative mythology that real scholars used for other historical figures, applying it with ruthless, absurd logic to the most famous man in Europe. The 'proof' piles up, each piece more ridiculous than the last, all delivered with impeccable, deadpan seriousness.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a blast. On the surface, it's laugh-out-loud funny to see someone 'disprove' Napoleon so earnestly. But there's a sharp mind at work. Pérès wasn't just making a joke; he was hitting back at a trend in scholarship at the time. Some writers were using similar shaky methods to argue that figures like Jesus or ancient kings were just myths. By applying their own logic to their contemporary hero, Pérès showed how silly that approach could be. It’s a reminder that history isn't just a list of facts, but a story we tell, and that story can be twisted. Reading it, you get the thrill of being in on a fantastic joke that’s almost 200 years old.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect little book for anyone who loves history, satire, or clever arguments. It's for people who enjoyed A Modest Proposal or modern satire like On Bullshit. You don't need to be a Napoleon expert; you just need a sense of humor and an appreciation for someone poking fun at authority and accepted wisdom. It’s a short, smart, and surprisingly refreshing read that proves a good joke can be timeless.