Frankly, I'm surprised at your reaction (and Kevin's). Perhaps if you had struggled further, you would have found quite a few laudatory statements about the French and Napoleon.

The reason I asked the question was I feared the book was too pro-French to be sound. I don't think it is, but I appreciate other opinions.

But "viciously anti-" I don't see. I'll have to reread the first chapter.

Regards, BaldJim