This is a remarkably well researched book by the respected historian and author Christopher Hibbert. A sensational read for anyone who is interested in the intimate lives and loves of Napoleon. After reading this book, the reader will have learnt the obsessive, selfish, domineering control freak, we knew of his military and political life, was part of his personal life as well as his love interests. It appears Napoleon wasn't as amorous when the woman of his desires wasn't in fear of him and giving into complete submission. Yet we also see a romantic, emotional man who so desired to be loved and respected. I believe the crudeness of his behavior (at times), towards not only women, but men too, was part of his own fearful inadequacies; the so called Napoleon complex. Still, what a fascinating, perplexing personality he seems to have been. Regardless of Napoleon's crudity, rude behavior and at times violent callousness, there were Napoleon's surprising acts of compassion, love and devotion to the people who knew and loved him.

This objective piece of labor allows the reader to come away with his or her own personal opinions of the private Napoleon and the people in his life. Starting with Napoleon's sometimes fierce, compulsive but always enduring love of Josephine to his respectful, and some say fearful love of his second wife Marie-Louise, in addition to his lusty, conquering affections for his Polish mistress, Marie Walewska. The reader obtains a glimpse of his relationship with his mother and his sisters in a much more provocative light as well. Hibbert also includes a long list of minor mistresses and female acquaintances, in full delicious details.

Through this earnest study of the private man, Napoleon, we get a peek at the perks, quirks, oddities and passions of a captivating man. `Napoleon: His Wives and Women' is a studious read and an important one too for the hardcore Napoleon reader. ( )

Although this is more detailed than Delderfield’s Napoleon in Love, it is amazing that Hibbert was not sued for plagiarism. Delderfield’s work would have had to have been used as a direct outline for this book, but as extensive as the bibliography it, Delderfield is not listed even once.
One cannot deny that Napoleon: His Wives & Women is not only interesting reading, but also well researched & for the most part extremely well written. Yet, I still feel as if some reference should have been made to the former work.
The only thing that would have improved the actual reading would have been if the author could have reframed from repeating several passages through out the book, making it rather redundant (such as Napoleon’s habits of slapping people, or pinching their cheeks as a show of affection). The author also accepted some anecdotes &/or theories as fact (for example, the belief that Napoleon had epilepsy, or the supposed suicide attempt before being exiled.) or from dubious sources (e.g.: Napoleon: Bisexual Emperor by Frank Richardson.) ( )