Dreams of Empire: Napoleon and the First World War, 1792-1815 by Paul Fregosi
Published in the bicentenary year of the French Revolution, this book details Napoleon Bonaparte's campaigns outside Europe, apart from an opening chapter covering his emergence as an outstanding commander during the Battle of Toulon. In his quest to become Emperor of the Orient and Conqueror of India as well as the Emperor of France, Napoleon waged successful campaigns in both North and South America, the West Indies, the Middle East, Africa and Ireland. The author examines the entire policy followed by Napoleon in the colonies, providing biographical, military and geographical information of each battle, culminating in the defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.