i thoroughly enjoyed reading this, I love history books and I really didn't know much about Napoleon and the time period. it was well done and well researched.

I was very disappointed in this book. I was expecting a detailed biography of Juliette Recamier and how she worked against Naopeon- perhaps details of life in France while Napoleon was Emperor and off to battle, details of plots against him, or how Juliette intrigued in politics. Instead this was a poorly written, very short book giving the highlights of each of their lives, with more focus on Napoleon and his deeds but still leaving a lot out. Why Juliette disliked Napoleon comes about vaguely (he accused her father of treason but listened to Juliette and didn't execute him; he exiled her dear friend for treason) but certainly never lives up to the subtitle of "battling with the Emperor". It seems like more a case of she was friends with people who criticized Napoleon and didn't like it when he reacted to that criticism. Her "battles" seem to have been only salons where she encouraged people to talk no matter what side of politics they were on, and by remaining friends with those he disliked.

I had a lot of trouble reading this book because of the writing style. Short, choppy sentences; poorly worded; with frequent side stories about people who didn't matter to the book's supposed focus. Highlights of Napoleon's life without details or presenting anything new. Even less on Juliette. While everything about her was new to me, I didn't come away from the book with a desire to try and learn more about her, or any understanding of why the author felt she "battled" Napoleon or should be set up as his opposition in the book.

Not a book I felt added anything to my understanding of Napoleon, French history, French society, or anything else, and not a book I'd recommend.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

A look at the connection between Napoleon and Juliette (more focus on her). Biography and journey of her and her connections to Napoleon. Primary text on many of the pages and images at end.

I am a sucker for historical novels and Napoleon but this novel did not engage me as much I had hoped.

This really is either for students who are studying Napoleon and wish to gain a further insight into the French Salon's, and for me did not bring anything further about Napoleon.