The author of the present text must confess that his only merit lies in having patiently researched publications about Napoleon for several years, in which the statements of this great ruler were recorded. Furthermore, he considers it an achievement that he was aware of the significance of the work that was to emerge, which holds the same importance for Napoleon as the Gospel does for Jesus Christ. Thus Balzac in his preface. A highly witty biographical sketch of Napoleon by his great political opponent, Prince Clemens von Metternich, concludes this original volume. Metternich attempts to grasp and do justice to the phenomenon of Napoleon: "I witnessed and followed him in his decline, and whatever he undertook to deceive me about his person, in which he had a great interest on many occasions.".