Louis Bonaparte byl mladším bratrem Napoleona Bonaparte a vládl jako král klientského státu Holandska v letech 1806–1810. Ačkoli Napoleon zamýšlel Holandsko jako loutkový stát, Louis se snažil o co největší nezávislost. Jeho snahy však byly ukončeny v roce 1810, kdy Napoleon Holandsko anektoval zpět do Francouzského císařství. Louis poté uprchl do exilu v Rakousku, kde strávil zbytek svého života.
In this response to Sir Walter Scott's biography of Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother, defends his family's legacy and provides his own perspective on Napoleon's life and achievements. Louis argues that Napoleon was a great leader and that many of the stories about him are inaccurate or exaggerated.
This anthology brings together a collection of important historical documents related to the government of Holland, accompanied by insightful reflections from Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland from 1806-1810. Addressing issues such as democracy, religious freedom, and the balance of power, it remains relevant to contemporary debates about governance and society.