The Napoleonic Quarterly

Quartermaster Productions
  • 4.8 (42)
  • History
  • Updated Weekly

Taking the epic conflicts of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars three months at a time. Each episode features interviews with leading historians of the period - covering the campaigns, diplomacy and political dramas of an extraordinary 24 years.

  1. 19h ago

    1801 recap: Making war and making peace

    Our recap episodes, which offer a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time, have reached 1801 - a year in which Britain and France make peace, despite a widening canvas of war spreading across from Europe across the globe. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. This episode covers a 12-month period in which Napoleon Bonaparte, having secured a Concordat with the Catholic Church, sends troops to recapture Saint-Domingue and gets himself elected president in Italy. Russia's League of Armed Neutrality is thwarted by Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Copenhagen before Tsar Paul's assassination prompts a change of course in St Petersburg. The British are on the offensive in Egypt and in India, but William Pitt resigns as Prime Minister. Thomas Jefferson is finally elected President and the US is fighting the first Barbary war... and there's the War of the Oranges between Spain and Portugal as well. Is this a winding-down year? No - it's one of the most dramatic of them all. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    1801 recap: Making war and making peace

  2. Jul 22

    Power without dignity: Napoleon's Brumaire sacrifice (screenplay plotting, mins 105-120)

    In the eighth and final 15 minutes of our screenplay treatment, Napoleon really is trying to get this one last job done by completing the Brumaire coup. But his bid for his ultimate goal requires an unexpected sacrifice and is dependent on an essential contribution from his now thoroughly beloved Josephine. With a new framing device underlining the crucial role of Paul Barras in this story as the antagonist, we're sprinting for a finish line - and a certain comfy chair for our leading man. Yes, it's episode nine of our screenwriting escapade, in which we complete our mission of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have tried their uppermost to come up with the magic themselves. As our resident artificial aide-de-camp NAIpoleon Bot-aparte puts it: [02:27] The Recap of the "Rotten Pear": James catches us up on Act Three so far, featuring Napoleon’s desertion from Egypt, a "titanic" row with Josephine, and a dinner with Barras that changes everything. [12:12] History is a Farce: Alex reads from Zamoyski’s biography, revealing the hilarious historical reality of the coup: a bucking horse, a stress-induced facial rash, and a very "undone" Napoleon. [17:03] Dramatic Masterstroke or "Sh*tshow"?: The team debates whether Napoleon’s historical bungling of the coup is a screenwriting disaster or an ironic opportunity for a "stunning performance." [19:13] The Ultimate Sacrifice: Alex pitches a thematic climax where Napoleon trades his "Great Man" dignity and romantic ideals for the grubbiness of actual power. [21:45] The Novella as a Blunt Instrument: Ben suggests a high-action alternative involving Napoleon beating a man unconscious with his own rolled-up novella manuscript. [28:35] The Framing Device Rabbit Hole: A deep dive into the art of the framing device, featuring references to The Princess Bride, Amadeus, and the "triangle" used in the World Snooker Championship. [33:10] Perspectives on a Dinner: The hosts pitch a circular narrative structure that uses a dinner with Barras to show how the "urbane puppet master" became the man who "owes Napoleon everything." [43:03] Marinara in the Sticks: Exploring the "fitting end" for Barras—sidelined to a provincial town like Ray Liotta at the end of Goodfellas with nothing but bad pasta sauce for company. [45:28] The Bonaparte Whisperer: Josephine finally gets an active role in the heist, proving she is a master survivor who knows exactly how to handle smitten Directory presidents and resignation letters. [52:36] The Dictator’s Comfy Chair: The team lands on a final image involving a circular seating arrangement, an enigmatic grin, and the most crucial question of the production: "Who is going to play the pug?" Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    Power without dignity: Napoleon's Brumaire sacrifice (screenplay plotting, mins 105-120)

  3. Jul 18

    1800 recap: From Marengo to Moreau

    Our recap episodes, which offer a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time, have reached 1800 - a year in which Napoleon Bonaparte achieves one of his greatest victories to consolidate his new position of power in France. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. This episode covers a 12-month period in which Bonaparte's victory at Marengo ensures success in the Italian campaign - but it's Moreau's big result at Hohenlinden later in the year which arguably proves more decisive. Ultimately 1800 is a year in which there are lots of developments bubbling up all over the place: the US election, the British busy against the French in Egypt, the Act of Union between Britain and Ireland, the Septinsular Republic formed in the Ionian Islands, Tsar Paul forming the League of Armed Neutrality... and a proto-car bomb very nearly ending Bonaparte's life to round things off. Everything, everywhere, all at once. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    1800 recap: From Marengo to Moreau

  4. Jul 8

    The Fresh Prince of Brumaire (screenplay plotting, mins 90-105)

    In the seventh and penultimate 15 minutes of our screenplay treatment, Napoleon is back in France to go for the top prize - power. But his bid for his ultimate goal is not going to be straightforward and he has to accept that in order to achieve this, he'll have to put aside romantic dreams and do what matters to get this one last job done. That means a new approach to his unfaithful wife Josephine; a reckoning with our antagonist Paul Barras; and a new kind of battlefield - the Council of Five Hundred. Yes, it's episode eight of our screenwriting escapade, in which we continue to forge ahead in our mission of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves. As our resident artificial aide-de-camp NAIpoleon Bot-aparte puts it: Alex Stevenson introduces the climax phase of the Napoleon screenplay project and acknowledges the contributions of James Topham and Ben Deery 00:00. Ben Deery revisits an underappreciated Sphinx joke from previous episodes, sparking playful banter about comedic appreciation 00:01:16. James Topham recaps the emotional and psychological journey of Napoleon in Act 2, culminating in a brutal turning point during the Egyptian campaign 00:03:01. Introduction and breakdown of Act 3 structure: the internal-external conflict resolution, new plans, and the heightened sense of sacrifice Napoleon must undergo 00:10:03. Deep dive into the historical coup of Brumaire, exploring how Napoleon’s ambiguous resolve and political struggles can be mapped onto the screenplay’s climax 00:13:01. Discussion of antagonist dynamics: Paul Barras must return as a strong opposition for the final act, including possible narrative liberties to heighten his role 00:24:28. Insight into the B story: Napoleon and Josephine’s tumultuous reunion, tying personal and political stakes together in a pivotal emotional scene 00:34:05. Reference to classic films and psychological theories (e.g., High Society, Taxi Driver, Madonna-Whore complex) to illustrate character developments and narrative arcs 00:39:34. Strategizing the depiction of the coup’s high-stakes drama—physical peril, the threat of the guillotine, and how to visually and emotionally convey Napoleon’s critical risk 00:52:13. Closing with an explanation of the filmic denouement: what “new normal” the world and characters face after Napoleon’s victory, and teaser for the next episode’s focus on wrapping up the screenplay 00:54:54. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    The Fresh Prince of Brumaire (screenplay plotting, mins 90-105)

  5. Jul 4

    1799 recap: The French go backwards

    Our recap episodes, which offer a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time, have reached 1799 - a year in which Napoleon Bonaparte achieves an astonishing turnaround in fortunes which ends with him in power. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. This episode covers a 12-month period in which Bonaparte's failed Syrian campaign leads him to attempt the desperate gamble of a return to France - which dramatically pays off when, somehow, he emerges as the country's ruler after the coup of Brumaire. That is the culmination of a remarkable year of fighting in Italy and Switzerland, with Russian heroics under the leadership of Suvorov and gritty French defence led by Massena. There really is so much going on - from the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland to the fall of Naples, from the siege of Malta to the diplomacy of the Second Coalition - what a year 1799 truly is. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    1799 recap: The French go backwards

  6. Jun 24

    Napoleon's dark night of the soul (screenplay plotting, mins 75-90)

    In the sixth 15-minute section of our screenplay, Napoleon plunges into his darkest hour. Reeling from betrayal and defeat, he confronts the plague-ridden horrors of his campaign in the Levant and faces the brutal consequences of war, both on the battlefield and within himself. The myth of his invincibility shatters as failed sieges and the massacre at Jaffa weigh on his conscience. Josephine’s infidelity and his own disillusionment reach a crisis, forcing Napoleon towards a reckoning with his ambitions, relationships, and the cost of power. As despair and self-doubt threaten to overwhelm him, the stage is set for the transformation that will propel him towards his final bid for greatness. Yes, it's episode seven of our screenwriting escapade, in which we continue to forge ahead in our mission of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves. As our resident artificial aide-de-camp NAIpoleon Bot-aparte puts it: Alex Stevenson opens the episode by reflecting on its many possible names, likening it to the Beatles' White Album, and notes listener feedback they’ve received for discussion 00:00:10. 01:03 - All three speakers share significant personal updates in rapid-fire, overlapping fashion to create comedic confusion for the audience 04:01 - James Topham reveals the existence of a secret WhatsApp chat with Benjamin Deery (excluding Alex Stevenson), mirroring earlier feelings of exclusion 05:52 - James Topham debuts a homemade Napoleon movie trailer, involving Benjamin Deery performing in different voices, to energize the creative process 12:04 - James Topham recaps the previous episode: Napoleon is exiled to Egypt under the guise of glory, his fleet is destroyed, and he discovers Josephine’s infidelity, marking his lowest point 20:24 - A historical debate occurs: Alex Stevenson clarifies that Napoleon was enthusiastic about Egypt rather than simply exiled, and discusses how both his ambitions and the political machinations of others shaped his choices 29:38 - The group discusses the "dark night of the soul" as a structural turning point, emphasizing Napoleon’s internal reckoning after a series of personal and military setbacks, rather than a literal period of inaction 33:30 - Alex Stevenson details three major events for Napoleon’s crisis: the plague hospital at Jaffa, a war crime (massacre of prisoners), and the failed siege of Acre—all contributing to his psychological breaking point 41:29 - The B story (Josephine’s infidelity) is revealed to have a psychological turning point for both characters, paralleling Napoleon’s emotional hardening and the collapse of romantic idealism 51:01 - The hosts reveal a major twist: this project is envisioned as a trilogy, meaning there’s much more story (and podcasting) ahead than Benjamin Deery anticipated, much to his mock dismay Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    Napoleon's dark night of the soul (screenplay plotting, mins 75-90)

  7. Jun 21 ·  Bonus

    Waterloo teaser: The myth of Hougoumont

    Charles Esdaile has a lot to get off his chest when it comes to the Battle of Waterloo - which is why he surprised me recently by asking to do what turned into a three-hour mythbusting session working through what he thinks everyone's getting wrong about the ultimate Napoleonic encounter. As this podcast won't be making it to Waterloo for years and years - we're talking the 2030s here, people - I'm not going to stick it up on the main feed right now. On the other hand, it's too good to just be left sitting on the shelf. So this week it's been made available to our esteemed Quartermasters on Patreon, some of whom have already been very kind about it - and leaving lots of comments of their own. The support this podcast receives through Patreon is essential to the continuing success and sustainability of the project. If you're not signed up already but listen regularly, we'd all be grateful if you gave it some consideration.

  8. Jun 11

    1798 recap: Egyptian adventure

    Our recap episodes, which offer a synthesis of our 1792-1804 coverage one year at a time, have reached 1798 - a year in which Napoleon Bonaparte leads an astonishingly bold expedition to capture Egypt for France, which is going astonishingly badly by the end of the year. Chris Sloan talks presenter Alex Stevenson through specific key clips he's picked out from our old episodes grouped around four themes which, we argue, help frame the period and shape our understanding of it in a whole new way. We hope this will provide a helpful refresh for longstanding listeners - whilst at the same time offering an 'entry ramp' to the podcast for those who want to get up to speed relatively easily before we crash full-speed into the intensity of the Napoleonic Wars. This episode covers a 12-month period simply dominated by the Egyptian gambit. Dreams of becoming another Alexander the Great seem to be turning into a mirage as elusive as that seen in the dust of the Egyotian desert, with Horatio Nelson destroying the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile and unrest and disquiet in Cairo to deal with in the Upper Nile. This year also sees more developments across all our ongoing storylines. France continues to bully Italian politics; the Revolution continues to sort-of grind on with the Coup of Floreal; there is a major intervention against the Swiss; and, above all, the Irish attempt to secure indepedence from the British is dealt with in a grimly decisive fashion. This is a year in which Napoleon grabs all the headlines - but let's not forget just how important 1798 was for Ireland, too. Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

    1798 recap: Egyptian adventure
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4.8
out of 5
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About

Taking the epic conflicts of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars three months at a time. Each episode features interviews with leading historians of the period - covering the campaigns, diplomacy and political dramas of an extraordinary 24 years.

Information

  • Creator
    Quartermaster Productions
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    188
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Quartermaster Productions
  • Show Website
    The Napoleonic Quarterly