3 Review(s)

Heroic, ambitious, opinionated and independent to the point of insubordination, Sir Charles James Napier (1782-1853) was an inspiring leader. Published in 1857 in four volumes, this is the story of Napier's remarkable, action-packed and often controversial life and military career, as told by his brother William. The biography places Napier's life in historical context, and contains portraits, extracts from his letters and entertaining anecdotes. William's admiration for his brother is evident throughout, and he describes how Charles's fiery character divided opinion. A close friend of Lord Byron, Napier also had a great admirer in Thomas Carlyle, who described him as 'more of a hero than any modern I have seen for a long time'. Volume 4 includes Napier's resignation in 1847 and return to England, his social engagements, his final posting to India in 1849, the controversies that followed him into retirement, and his death in 1853.