Napoleon & Sun.

This is coolbert:

Interesting program on Napoleon this afternoon shown on PBS.

Good stuff abut his early life and his early military career.

As to the early life and achievements of Napoleon there was nothing in his early life that could have ever indicated greatness.

He did have ambition, but so do a lot of people.

His training was as a military cadet, his becoming an officer of artillery at age sixteen was not extraordinary either.

Combat command experience prior to his becoming a general was at Toulon, as a captain of artillery, where he was successful.

And also as an artilleryman in suppressing the "mob" during an insurrection in Paris.

Gained command of his first army at the age of twenty six.

Led this army in a campaign against the Austro-Hungarian forces and their allies in northern Italy.

It was at this time that Napoleon first demonstrated superior military ability, defeating more numerous opponents handily and establishing his reputation.

Nothing [?] could have prepared him to be so good so fast.

It has been noted that the first translation of the famous book by Sun Tzu ["The Art of War] was done in the 1770's by a French priest.

It also has been reputed that this book was known to Napoleon and read and reread by him. I cannot say with any assurance if that is so. But can one really believe that just by reading one book on war and tactics of war could really make one ready to be so successful as was Napoleon?

I think not.

coolbert.