Napoleon III published 2 non-fiction books and 1 other book, beginning with The Extinction of Pauperism (1853). The best-known is Napoleonic Ideas (1859).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Napoleon III
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Napoleonic Ideas
Napoleon III's most-read book.
Non-fiction in order
Napoleonic Ideas (1859)
History of Julius Caesar (1865)
Other books in order
The Extinction of Pauperism (1853)
Free to read
All free classics
About Napoleon III
Napoleon III was the first President of France from 1848 to 1852 and then Emperor of the French from 1852 until his deposition in 1870. He was the first elected president, second emperor, and the last monarch of France. He established the Second French Empire in 1852, which began a period of rapid industrialization and expansion of infrastructure in France and saw the rise of French influence in geopolitics after several decades of instability. As head of state of France for 22 years, he was the longest-reigning French head of state since the end of the Ancien régime.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Napoleon III FAQ
- How many books has Napoleon III written?
- Napoleon III published 2 non-fiction books and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Napoleon III's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Napoleonic Ideas.
- What is Napoleon III's last book?
- History of Julius Caesar (1865).
- What is Napoleon III's most famous book?
- Napoleonic Ideas (1859) is Napoleon III's most widely read book.
- Can I read Napoleon III's books for free?
- Yes. 2 books by Napoleon III are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Napoleon III
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.