"In this second volume of Philip Dwyer's authoritative biography on one of history's most enthralling leaders, Napoleon, now 30, takes his position as head of the French state after the 1799 coup. Dwyer explores the young leader's reign, complete with mistakes, wrong turns, and pitfalls, and reveals the great lengths to which Napoleon goes in the effort to fashion his image as legitimate and patriarchal ruler of the new nation." -- Publisher website.

Regeneration, 1799-1802 : The invention of a saviour -- 'Perfect glory and solid peace' -- Italy and the consolidation of power -- Peace -- The politics of fusion ; Empire, 1802-1804 : The conservative turn -- The end of the revolution -- 'The first throne of the universe' -- Citizen Emperor ; Conquest, 1805-1807 : 'The rage of conquest and ambition' -- The Grand Empire -- Zenith -- 'The devil's business' ; Crucible, 1808-1811 : The desolate father -- The tide turns -- Bourgeois emperor, universal emperor -- 'A very stormy year' ; Hubris, 1812 : The Second Polish War -- 'The struggle of obstinacy' -- Destiny forsaken ; The adventurer, 1813-1814' : The enemy of the human race' -- The deliverance of Europe -- The naked emperor -- Sovereign of Elba ; The second coming, 1815 : The saviour returns -- A parody of empire -- Epilogue.