Figured I had to read this because there seemed to be a shortage of books on what actually happened on Elba. Not much, as it turns out. A decent book, covers all the bases, but I think the subject can be amply covered in a mere chapter within a larger study. ( )

The most in-depth source of Napoleon’s exile in Elba that I have read so far, it covers the invasion of Paris & Napoleon’s [first] abdication to his return less than a year later.
It describes the restless energy going into many advantageous projects for the island, unfortunately abandoned due to lack of funds, the constant rumors of his flight, & of Campbell’s growing disinterest in the entire situation that actually made it possible for Napoleon to take leave of Elba.
It was a bit disappointing that the book did not go more into detail of the visit of Napoleon’s “Polish wife”*, or the attempts of Pauline to bring some air of gaiety to the makeshift court established at Elba. However, it did give an amusing anecdote of Pauline’s interview with Campbell when he was trying to determine where exactly the Inconstant’s destination was to be.
It also tells of the anxiety, attitudes, & mixed loyalties encountered on the way from Cannes to Paris, which in most books is condensed into a single paragraph & merely describes the journey as “a triumphant return” when in fact there were disappointments & apprehensions as well. Oddly enough, it ends with Napoleon entering Paris, telling nothing of the battle to come.

 * For a detailed account of that Why Waterloo is a must-read!
 ** Refer to Pauline: Napoleon’s Favorite Sister for more information regarding that. ( )