The Origins of Napoleon's Generosity

The events of Thirteen Vande Mier completely transformed Napoleon's political and military career. He was at the beginning of an upward trajectory that would carry him, almost without interruption, to dictatorship over the entire country in only four years. Bonaparte never forgot a favor, and nobody who served him well went unrewarded. As we've seen, Napoleon could be pushy and demanding; his subordinates all lived in fear of disappointing him. I tend to think of this generosity as the other side of that same coin.