Garde, François Der gefangene König

Napoleon - to this day the embodiment of the great conqueror. One of the men who helped Bonaparte achieve his historic greatness was Joachim Murat, son of an innkeeper from humble beginnings, philanderer and rebel. In 1808 Napoleon crowned Murat's rapid rise and made him King of Naples. But Murat is almost obsessed with his patron, his admiration knows no bounds. A fatal dependence that ultimately spells his end.

From his cell, François Garde has the imprisoned King Murat recount his eventful life in his final hours. Joachim Murat, born in the French provinces in 1767, seems unfit for a civilised life. When he joins the army, however, his unconformity and cockiness help him to a fast career in the French Revolutionary Wars. Napoleon himself takes notice of the indefatigable soldier and gives him increasing trust and responsibility - culminating in the literal crowning of his career: Napoleon makes Murat King of Naples. But just as quickly as Napoleon's rise, his fall takes place - and with it that of his supporters: Murat is sentenced to death. From his cell, François Garde lets the imprisoned king recount his eventful life in the last hours. A stirring novel that cleverly interweaves historical knowledge with the magnificently researched life story of Napoleon's most loyal servant and fighter.

François Garde was born in 1959 in Le Cannet, near the French Mediterranean coast, and worked as a senior government official in New Caledonia, among other places.