Recollections of the Private Life of Napoleon — Complete

"Recollections of the Private Life of Napoleon" by Louis Constant Wairy is an early 19th-century historical memoir that gives readers a close look at Napoleon Bonaparte through the eyes of his personal valet, Constant Wairy, who worked for him for more than fifteen years. It tells the story of Napoleon's private life, showing both his strengths and weaknesses, to give a full picture of a man often only known for his politics. The memoir starts by explaining Wairy’s life and how he came to serve the Emperor, reflecting on his early years and how chance and the Revolution changed his life. From daily life in the imperial court to big historical events, Wairy shares vivid experiences with Napoleon, highlighting the extraordinary nature of Napoleon's character and promising to reveal the greatness and the faults of a complex historical figure, as seen through loyalty and firsthand experience.