Phillip W. Sergeant

The Empress Josephine (Vol. I) by Phillip W. Seargent
Too much of this book, especially the first few chapters dealing with Josephine’s youth, relates too many different opinions of instances where the author would have faired much better if he had chosen the most reliable source or the most [generally] accepted basis. Later chapters read better & more easily due to the fact that as Bonaparte’s fame grew, so did the documentation of his & Josephine’s life.
All in all, it brings her into a more favorable context, bringing to light the end of her indiscretions. Due to the close call of divorce following the Egyptian campaign, & pointing out lack of response to Bonaparte’s ardent letters was not inconsideration (a reason exploited by many authors) but the fact that she simply wrote relatively few letters compared to others in her lifetime, & that even fewer survived through the ages.
Thus by mid-volume, the author’ style is less choppy & is actually makes for good reading. ‘Tis a pity volume two is not to be found, as volume one ends with her ominous foreboding of “the sacrifice”.… (meer)