Correspondance de Napoléon Ier, Tome 1 (official edition)

This collection represents the official effort during the Second French Empire to compile and publish the complete correspondence of Napoleon I. Volume 1 covers the early years of his career, offering primary insights into his rise to power and his command style.

While considered a foundational primary source, historians note that the Second-Empire editors occasionally omitted or edited documents to protect the reputation of the Bonaparte dynasty. The text includes military orders, administrative decrees, and personal letters that reveal the multifaceted nature of Napoleon's leadership.