We meet some of the leaders of the Army of Italy. The First Italian Campaign begins in dramatic fashion, with two weeks of lightning battles at Montenotte, Millesimo, Dego, Ceva, and Mondovì. Napoleon negotiates with Piedmont, and worries about looting, and about his wife.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We meet the Army of Italy, which Napoleon finds in a "state of destitution." Paris provides little support, but Bonaparte attempts to get his command into shape for the offensive. We discuss more of the military reforms of the revolution. Napoleon gives the first famous speech of his career. The First Italian Campaign gets off to an inauspicious start.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For better and for worse, a new government takes over in Paris: the Directory. Napoleon and Josephine are married, and we examine her unhappy early life. Napoleon leaves Paris to meet his destiny.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An update from the armies at the front: French success continues in the Netherlands, and the long-suffering Dutch radicals finally have their day. In the South, the republicans push into Catalonia, knocking Spain out of the war, but at the cost of a general's life. Prussia finally wakes up and leaves the Coalition. 

In Paris, Napoleon's meteoric rise has officially begun. He shares the fruits of his success and continues his inept search for a wife.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the defeat of the French left, the right begins a violent resurgence, culminating in a rebellion that nearly conquers Paris. Napoleon saves the Convention (and his career with it). We meet two memorable characters: Paul Barras and Joachim Murat

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With so many of his political patrons dead, Napoleon's career stalls. He spends some aimless months in the capital trying to improve his situation. He finds high society transformed along with politics. Also discussed: Napoleon's love life, republican victories in the Vendée, and the surprising importance of the Army Topographical Bureau. Contains some (very tame) sexual content

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An eclectic episode. Napoleon gets out of jail, fights another battle in northern Italy, and comes tantalizingly close to a triumphant return to Corsica. Other topics include: the fall of Robespierre, the Kościuszko Uprising, Thermidorian politics, the progress of the war, and the Jacobin Air Force

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon reports for duty with the Army of Italy, which is fighting a tough campaign in the rugged Alps. André Masséna is introduced. Napoleon's plan and Masséna's daring win a victory at Saorgio. Napoleon undertakes an ill-timed mission to Genoa.

Map of the Saorgio campaign: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saorgio#/media/File:Saorgio_1794_Campaign_Map.jpg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon takes charge as head of artillery for the Army of the Alps, clashes with his incompetent commanders, and finally wins recognition on the battlefield during the Siege of Toulon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon finally reports to the regular army, just as France sinks deeper into chaos. The Jacobins come to power and launch The Reign of Terror. The army continues to transform. Napoleon finally achieves some success writing, and wins some powerful friends in the process.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices