Napoleon Bonaparte, was a supreme military genius, who consolidated many reforms of the French revolution and introduced a new system of laws, the 'Code Napoleon'.

But Napoleon's intense egotism carried him to a belated attempt to restore the Western empire with himself as ruler. As a result a coalition of many European powers fought against him.

He tried to isolate England through an embargo. After a disasterous invasion of Russia in 1812 he had to retreat. The allies invaded France and in 1814 he was forced to abdicate.

Napoleonic Guide
A comprehensive site.