On to the Commune

Lots of speculation today about the Siege and the genesis of the Commune.  Learning things about Napoleon Trois I did not know I knew.  Puttng myself in the place of a Parisian in January 1871.  Chaotic time.  My fictional hero seems more and more appropriate.

La chute de Napoleon Trois

Such a sad story, the hope and frenzy and anticipated delight in Paris in July of 1870!  They actually thought French troops would be in Berlin by the Fall, as in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte.  Somehow they avoided looking the facts in the face.  These oh-so-rational Frenchmen could not read the signs of failure before Sedan.  And the storm of hatred that burst on Paris after Sedan and blew out the Empire was proportional to the delusion.  The other part of the story, that Napoleon's capture allowed France to fight on, leading to the Commune, is just as tragic but not so well known.  It ties ogether the narrative in a satisfying way, though.

Military and morale

Thinking about the renovation of Paris.  But more investigating the ins and outs of morale and tactics and how they influence each other.  Bit pathetic following Father and Son, Emperor and Prince Imperial floundering around in the wake of losing armies.  Zeitgeist, indeed.

Napoleon toughs it out

The beginning of the arvtakes shape, with mobilization, alliances and Napoleon's health problems.  A little drama.  And Loulou adds pathos.

Ems again

Trying to wrap up the outbreak of war from the French perspective.  It was a trainwreck.  Need to go back over La Débâcle by Zola.

Bismarck collides with Napoleon III

Good stuff today about the second Empire.  The contrast between Bismarck and the French is drawn pretty strongly.  Napoleon's gang might have been more fun to hang around with, but I'd bet on Bismarck to get the job done.

Napoleon gets it together

Ah, that crazy Napoleon is finally acting like the second coming of his crazy uncle.  But I don't need to tell his whole story.  Just enough so his actions - or lack of them, his errors and disasters in 1870 will be a little more understandable.  If I can bring him to life as definitively as Bismarck, they will be worthy opponents, even though the French army was overmatched.  In the literary world, it's not necessarily whether you win or lose on the battlefield.  It's all about style.  Although I fear even in this arena, Bismarck will conquer.