Author: W. Burdon.
Title: The Life and Character of Bonaparte from his Birth to the 15th of August 1804.
Publisher: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Printed by K. Anderson, In the Side, and Fold by T. Ostell, London, May 30, 1805. Second Edition (stated).
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8.5" X 5.5".
Pages: 296 pages.
Binding: Very good quarter calf leather binding over marbled boards (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown, corners worn - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight, and clean, ex-libris of a previous owner on the first endpaper - as shown, some light foxing, toning, and staining - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with the scarce frontispiece portrait.

Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies for available sale worldwide).

The book: A scarce second edition of "The Life and Character of Bonaparte from His Birth to the 15th of August 1804" by W. Burdon, offers an early biographical account of Napoleon Bonaparte's life up to the eve of his coronation as Emperor of the French. Published in 1805, this work provides contemporary insights into Napoleon's remarkable rise from a young officer to a dominant political and military figure in Europe. The shift from a positive portrayal in the first edition to a more critical perspective in the second edition reflects the changing perceptions of Napoleon's ambitions and actions among the British public. The inclusion of a rare frontispiece portrait adds significant value, offering readers a visual connection to the historical figure discussed.

The author: William Burdon (1764–1818) was an observer of European political dynamics and an early biographer of Napoleon Bonaparte. His work captures the complexities of Napoleon's character and the turbulent times in which he lived, providing a critical perspective that contrasts with the more laudatory accounts of the time. This book stands as an important contribution to Napoleonic literature, offering a nuanced view of one of history's most influential and controversial leaders.