Napoleon I
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) is one of the most famous and important figures in world history and continues to capture the imagination. Napoleon grew up with the ideals of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. After his military victories in Italy and Egypt, he seized power and ended the Revolution. He established himself as one of the greatest military and political strategists of modern times. In 1804, he became Emperor of the French and implemented social and political innovations that continue to resonate today. But his rapid rise also led to enormous conflicts and prolonged wars in Europe that had serious consequences.
Renowned Napoleonic expert Johan Op de Beeck tells this fascinating life story in a masterful and compelling way. He also delves into the emperor's turbulent private life, examines Napoleon's attitude towards the “Netherlands,” and dispels the myths surrounding this colossus of history.
The definitive biography of Napoleon in Dutch, in three volumes, reveals the true face of the Corsican immigrant who became the most powerful man in the world.
Napoleon II
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) is one of the most famous and important figures in world history and continues to capture the imagination. Napoleon grew up with the ideals of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. After his military victories in Italy and Egypt, he seized power and ended the Revolution. He established himself as one of the greatest military and political strategists of modern times. In 1804, he became Emperor of the French and implemented social and political innovations that continue to resonate today. But his rapid rise also led to enormous conflicts and prolonged wars in Europe that had serious consequences.
Renowned Napoleonic expert Johan Op de Beeck tells this fascinating life story in a masterful and compelling way. He also delves into the emperor's turbulent private life, examines Napoleon's attitude towards the “Netherlands,” and dispels the myths surrounding this colossus of history.
The definitive biography of Napoleon in Dutch, in three volumes, reveals the true face of the Corsican immigrant who became the most powerful man in the world.
Waterloo
1815. Napoleon, defeated, escapes from exile on Elba. He returns to Paris, seizes power once more, and makes one last attempt to realize his dream. 100 exciting and extremely tense days, are to follow, during which he will use every means possible to keep the European royal houses at bay. The Hundred Days came to an end at Waterloo, in Belgium. There, the French were defeated by British, Prussian, and Dutch troops led by the Duke of Wellington. Yet, to this day, Waterloo is associated with the defeated rather than the victorious. Few historical events have been as hotly debated as this battle. No other event has aroused such enthusiasm and passion among historians to distort the truth or do it justice.
Johan Op de Beeck provides a meticulous political and military analysis of Napoleon's last reign and a battle that shaped European history. His approach is unique in that it also highlights the role of the Belgians and the Dutch. The author shows that their contribution was crucial to Wellington’s victory.
Napoleon's Heart
Alongside the controversial path Napoleon carved through history, there is another, more hidden path. On it are the women who accompanied the emperor for part of his journey, on the margins of his extraordinary existence. The most legendary is Joséphine de Beauharnais, his first wife and the love of his life. But Empress Joséphine had to make way for Napoleon's political marriage to Marie-Louise of Austria, who gave him an heir to the throne. Napoleon also had countless mistresses and fathered several illegitimate children. His sexual escapades often had a political dimension All these women were exceptionally important in their own way. They helped shape the grand narrative. Thus, the saga of Napoleon is also one of princesses and mistresses, of emotions and desires. Matters of the heart. Although there was often more room in his heart for grand ideals and political goals. Did Napoleon even have a heart?
Napoleon's Nightmare
1812: Napoleon's army marches into Russia. It becomes the most gruelling story in modern European history. The Russian campaign ends two years later with the downfall of the emperor. Among the tragic heroes of this tale were young men from our own countries. Soldiers from Belgium and the Netherlands endured the terrible journey through the Russian winter. Bestselling author and master storyteller Johan Op de Beeck combines eyewitness accounts with a political and military analysis of a conflict that changed the future of Europe.
Napoleon. Inspiration for contemporary management and leadership
Business management is closely related to politics and military leadership. Success is the result of a strong strategy, constant evaluation of circumstances and the right responses to them. Napoleon Bonaparte sums this up perfectly. Moreover, he is particularly interesting to contemporary leaders because he was active in so many areas: HR, marketing, financial policy, operational management, etc. Napoleon expert and former journalist Johan Op de Beeck explains how Napoleon's unparalleled successes – and also his mistakes – can inspire managers more than two hundred years later.
Leopold II The whole story
Was Leopold II (1835–1909) a great king or a mass murderer? The monarch ruled Belgium from 1865 until his death in 1909 and was the sovereign of the Congo Free State for 23 years. Johan Op de Beeck investigates his true responsibility there.
However, Leopold's life encompassed much more than Belgium's colonial past. The king fought for the defence and economic independence of his emerging nation. In his dealings with heads of state and the media, he demonstrated strong if not cunning statesmanship,. He ruled Belgium during one of its most turbulent periods. His private life was controversial, full of stubbornness, adventure, bizarre behaviour and adultery. The whole story of an overambitious, extraordinary and controversial ruler.
The loss of Belgium
1830: King William I is taken by surprise by a revolution in the south of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. Heavy fighting ensues. The revolutionaries, led by the Brussels republican Louis De Potter, win. The Dutch Crown Prince William wants to become King of Belgium, but the republicans prevent this. The revolutionaries also wage a merciless battle among themselves, with the republicans ultimately being liquidated by the monarchists. The new kingdom is created. But in The Hague, King William has not yet given up the fight for “his” Belgium.
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION PART 1. FROM REVOLT TO REPUBLIC
In a thrilling narrative, Johan Op de Beeck recounts the turbulent story of the French Revolution: from the storming of the Bastille in 1789 to Napoleon's coup d'état in 1799, from the noble motto “liberty, equality, fraternity” to the bloodthirsty reign of terror, from revolutionaries who seized power but often ended up under the guillotine themselves. At the same time, a revolution was also taking place in the low countries. Rarely does history read so fascinatingly and compellingly!
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION PART 2. FROM ROBESPIERRE TO NAPOLEON
In a thrilling narrative, Johan Op de Beeck recounts the turbulent story of the French Revolution: from the storming of the Bastille in 1789 to Napoleon's coup d'état in 1799, from the noble motto “liberty, equality, fraternity” to the bloodthirsty reign of terror, from revolutionaries who seized power but often ended up under the guillotine themselves. At the same time, a revolution was also taking place in the low countries. Rarely does history read so fascinatingly and compellingly!
THE SUN KING
Louis XIV (1638-1715) is the king of kings. As an absolute monarch, he transformed underdeveloped and feudal France into a centralised state that became the most powerful nation in Europe. Louis XIV achieved eternal fame thanks to Versailles, which he transformed from a hunting lodge into one of the largest and most beautiful castles in the world. His fascinating life story offers a whirlwind of battles, intrigues, mistresses, art, mysteries, etc.
VERSAILLES. FOUR CENTURIES IN THE MOST FAMOUS CASTLE IN THE WORLD
Louis XIII's hunting lodge was expanded by Louis XIV into one of the largest, most beautiful and most expensive castles in the world. Versailles became a centre of power and intrigue, major political events, scandals and ‘liaisons dangereuses’. During the French Revolution, it was almost demolished, but later it was completely renovated into a museum. It is still a forum for world history. The First World War ended there in 1919. Hitler hated Versailles. The Allies bombed it. Johan Op de Beeck majestically describes four centuries of Versailles.
THE THREATEND FREEDOM. IS YOUR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN DANGER?
Freedom of expression is the fundamental guarantee of coexistence. Since the Enlightenment, this has coexisted with another constitutional freedom: freedom of religion. A coexistence that we seem to be losing.
A society can only exist if population groups share the same basic values, despite differing religious beliefs and philosophies of life. Many people are already too convinced that they are right and hardly understand the meaning of freedom of expression, freedom of religion and the separation of church and state. Yet these concepts form the foundations of our society. But how can you share something with others that you do not know? Or do not understand?
This book aims to contribute to this clarification. Johan Op de Beeck outlines the origins and history of freedom of expression and poses a number of confrontational but unavoidable questions that are relevant today.
THE DIVIDED STATES OF AMERICA
The American civil war, the role of Europe and Belgium and the risks of a new civil war
The storming of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., was the trigger for a book on the Civil war. The author explores the paths that may led to a new civil conflict in the world’s largest democracy. During the Civil War (1861-1865) between the Northern and Southern states, nearly one million people were killed. The reason for the conflict was slavery. The central issue in the internal fraternal dispute was democracy. And this is once again at stake in the present political and social context. Many lessons can be learned from the American Civil War. The author also explores the rather unknown story of the role in the European diplomacy of the Belgian king Leopold I as a secret proponent of the Confederacy and the faith of many Belgian immigrants who fought on both sides.
THE LAEKEN CONSPIRACY
Hitler has occupied Belgium. Leopold III wants to remain in the country. The king flirts with Nazism. This does not sit well with the Belgian government in exile in London. They want to get the monarch to defect to London. Belgian secret agent Jef Van Hooff must deliver a secret message to Leopold III in Laeken. He is accompanied by a female spy, a double agent. During his perilous mission, the Nazis are hot on his heels. Bases on the memoirs of secret agent Van Hooff,… after the war the hairdresser of the author’s mother.
ENEMY OF THE STATE
1956. The Cold War between East and West is raging. The State Security Service fears that someone from the highest circles of the country is leaking secret information to the Russian secret service, the KGB, and calls on Jef Van Hooff. This hairdresser from Malines spied for the British secret service in occupied Belgium during the Second World War. Jef Van Hooff must track down the leak. This dangerous mission puts him between two fires, because as a spy he is both hunter and hunted.
THE ASSASSINATION OF NAPOLEON
1810.Napoleon pays a state visit to Antwerp. But his life is in danger. The emperor has already survived many assassination attempts. But now an unprecedented plot is threatening him. French royalists and the British secret service are plotting a new assassination attempt. Antwerp police detective Florent Bex uncovers the plot. It branches out from Paris and London to Antwerp and Maastricht. Can he foil the attack on Napoleon in time?