The Napoleonic Wars Podcast

We all love to hate the Napoleon Movie - high hopes left dashed by a lacklustre storytelling, sloppy editing and a disdain for the historical. Now meet the man who wants to right that wrong! Connor O'Brien is a producer who wants to create a short film about a soldier in the Battle of Lundy's Lane, fought in Canada in 1814. His vision is for this project to be a stepping stone to a much larger production about set at the Battle of Waterloo.
I sat down with him to talk about his vision behind 'The Coward' (the short film he's creating), why he is putting historical accuracy front and centre of his film making, and how, in his words, he's bringing a 'Saving Private Ryan' approach to the Napoleonic Wars.
This is a fantastic project which we're very keen to support. If you would like to chip in to the fundraiser, check out the link below - you will not be charged unless the project reaches its funding goal.
Support 'The Coward': https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/exorbito/the-coward-short-war-film-2026
Find out more about the project: https://thecoward1812.com

Napoleon III was in equal parts implausible, hapless and ambitious. But in 1848 he finally succeeded in achieving his long-held ambition of taking power in France. In the second instalment of our exploration of Napoleon III's life, we explore how he bounced back from his second failed coup, seized the initiative in the course of the 1848 revolution, and honed his populist style of politics to appeal to all sides of the political divides. How did he reverse his fortunes as an escaped political prisoner to become President of France, and why as President did he decide to carry out yet another coup? Edward Shawcross returns to take us through this rollercoaster of French politics and intrigue.
Get Edward's books: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571361304-the-peoples-emperor/?srsltid=AfmBOoomYEkfA0l83B2WxSnkmV7WFm30bUTqFFdkdxD7UlFQs7ltCPIf
https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571360581-the-last-emperor-of-mexico/
Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Louis Napoleon and his coups
02:12 Exile in London and social life in the demi-monde
03:49 Louis Napoleon's political ambitions and 1848 revolution
07:08 The rise of the Second Republic and the new electoral landscape
11:52 Louis Napoleon's electoral strategy and populist appeal
15:49 The 1848 presidential election and his surprising victory
21:05 The use of plebiscites and propaganda to legitimize power
25:02 The 1851 coup d'etat and the path to empire
29:57 Challenges faced by Louis Napoleon as president
35:00 The expedition to Rome and foreign policy missteps
40:05 Consolidation of power and the 1852 referendum
44:49 The legacy of Louis Napoleon and lessons on populism

keywords
Louis Napoleon, Napoleon III, French history, populism, coup d'etat, 19th-century France, political strategy, democracy, revolution, empire

This year, Matthew Taylor worked in partnership with Apsley House to create a 'Waterloo Weekend' commemoration, featuring talks by top historians hosted in the Waterloo banquet room in the Duke of Wellington's London Residence, Apsley House - also known as 'Number One, London.
Featuring Graeme Callister, Michael Rayner, Luke Reynolds, Matthew Taylor, and some reprobate called Zack White, the Napoleonic Wars Podcast was privileged to be given exclusive access to the event to record the talks, which we now present for your viewing pleasure. So be prepared to shout 'Vive L'Empereur', 'God Save the King', and declare that 'Now is your time' as we recount the Battle of Waterloo, revisit the Waterloo Banquet, remind ourselves of Wellington's crime and punishment nightmares, and consider the experiences of black soldiers in the Napoleonic era in a two hour extravaganza.
Visit Apsley House: https://www.wellingtoncollection.co.uk
Support our work at patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

Who were the Royal Engineers? How were they formed? What did they do? And why do they matter in the context of the Napoleonic Wars? 
The world's leading expert on the Royal Engineers during the Napoleonic Wars, Dr Mark Thompson, returns to the show to discuss this unit, their impact, and their controversies during the Napoleonic era. We discuss everything from crime to animosity with 'Black Bob' Craufurd and notable figures such as John Fox Burgoyne.
Mark's Books:
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Dr-Mark-S-Thompson/a/2446
https://www.helion.co.uk/people/mark-s-thompson.php
Keywords
Royal Engineers, Napoleonic Wars, military engineering, John Fox Burgoyne, Wellington, siegecraft, military history, engineering legacy

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Royal Engineers
02:29 The Origins of the Royal Engineers
05:05 Engineering Duties in the Napoleonic Era
10:04 Reputation and Perception of the Royal Engineers
14:01 Promotion and Structure within the Royal Engineers
19:51 Characteristics of Royal Engineers
22:51 Behaviour and Discipline of Royal Engineers
31:29 John Fox Burgoyne and His Legacy
31:39 The Legacy of John Fox Burgoyne
35:30 Burgoyne's Role in the Royal Engineers
38:17 The Napoleonic Wars: Engineers in Action
46:08 Challenges Faced by Military Engineers
52:03 The Controversy of the Waterloo Map
01:01:27 Memoirs and Historical Accounts of Engineers
01:05:09 The Evolving Reputation of the Royal Engineers

What if the British army wasn't actually that British? Alistair Nichols joins us to look at the Foreign troops who took the 'King's Shilling' and served under the British flag. We look at their motivations, their contributions and whether they have been saddled with an unjustified reputation for desertion.
Buy Alistair's books: https://www.helion.co.uk/people/alistair-nichols.php
Support the show at: www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Keywords:
British Army, Napoleonic Wars, foreign soldiers, Swiss Regiment, German Legion, military recruitment, desertion, prisoners of war, foreign regiments, military history
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Foreign Troops in the British Army
02:49 Perceptions and Stigmas Surrounding Foreign Soldiers
05:59 Stereotypes and Positive Accounts of Foreign Soldiers
09:08 Diverse Sources of Foreign Soldiers
12:00 The Multinational Nature of the British Army
15:03 Reasons for Recruitment of Foreign Soldiers
17:47 The Longevity and Future of Foreign Regiments
29:10 The Evolution of Foreign Regiments in the British Army
31:24 The Risks of Joining the British Army
34:53 Desertion and Recruitment of Foreign Soldiers
40:35 French Emigres and Their Role in the British Army
43:34 The Stories of French Soldiers in British Service
54:35 Life After Service for Foreign Soldiers