Hortense says that the writer of our next Napoleon Memoirs was very nosy, a destroyer of reputations and poisoned by his engagement with police work.

The first three memoirs, those of Caulaincourt, Marchand and Hortense were by really honest people. I never heard anyone question the principles of these three.

Hortense shows in her memoirs how Napoleon basically ruined her happiness and his with his important mission and she still defended Napoleon to her dying breathe. 

Then we learned about Lavalette (during the reading of our 4th memoir) and it turns out Napoleon called Lavallette the MOST HONEST person he knew. This is mentioned in Hortense’s Memoirs. 

Now we’re reading the memoirs of Méneval. He has his opinions. He is extremely defensive about Louis Bonaparte - who really did abuse his wife - a lot - but he feels the need to say what he must and I respect that. 

Next we’re going to broadcast the memoirs of the loyal “dog” of Napoleon, Savary the Duke of Rovigo. 

I love that Hortense tells her reader what she really thinks and she thought Savary was a problem. 

After that, we will broadcast the memoirs of Bourrienne who EVERY memoirist has called out for rampant dishonesty. I’m getting the sense that there is some good content here and maybe it will be interesting to hear these paid for attacks against the Emperor.

Then we will finally hear Napoleon himself telling his story, his way. 

Exciting! 

All the memoirs are available here.