Louis Bonaparte, younger brother to Napoleon Bonaparte, reigned as King of the French client state Holland from 1806 to 1810. While Napoleon intended Holland to be a mere puppet state, Louis was determined to assert as much independence as possible. His efforts ultimately concluded in 1810 when Napoleon re-annexed Holland into the French Empire. Louis then fled into exile in Austria, where he spent the remainder of his life.
In this response to Sir Walter Scott's biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother, defends his family's legacy and provides his own perspective on Napoleon's life and achievements. Louis argues that Napoleon was a great leader and that many of the stories about him are inaccurate or exaggerated.
This anthology brings together a collection of important historical documents related to the government of Holland, accompanied by insightful reflections from Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland from 1806-1810. Addressing issues such as democracy, religious freedom, and the balance of power, it remains relevant to contemporary debates about governance and society.