From a lowly Corsican Army officer to first consul of France, the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte was extraordinary. Historian Andrew Roberts charts Napoleon's military triumphs in Italy, Egypt and against anti-revolutionaries on the streets of Paris. But perhaps his greatest triumph was leadership of the military coup of 1799 that swept him to ultimate power.

It's 1805 and Napoleon is already French Emperor. He was then crowned King of Italy and reached the height of his power. Historian Andrew Roberts charts the transformation of a political leader of the French to Emperor and global statesman. From a son of the French Revolution to the most powerful man on the planet who would change world history forever.

In 1815, Napoleon was taken to the remote island of St Helena, a prisoner of the British. It had taken just a year for the monarchies of Europe to destroy him. Historian Andrew Roberts charts the fall of Napoleon, a key defining moment in global history. As he sought to defend France against her enemies, he made grave military misjudgments that were to hasten his downfall.

A masterful soldier, tactician and statesmen, Napoleon Bonaparte's courage and love for his country sees him rise from an unpaid general consumed with ambition to the most powerful man in Europe.