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Napoleon's Privates: 2,500 Years of History Unzipped | 
 enlarge | Author: Tony Perrottet
Publisher: HarperEntertainment
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $7.45
You Save: $7.50 (50%)
New (31) Used (13) from $7.45
Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 42515
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0061257281
Dewey Decimal Number: 306
EAN: 9780061257285
ASIN: 0061257281
Publication Date: July 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Book Club edition - Pristine- no remainder marks - prompt and responsible shipping
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Product Description
When Tony Perrottet heard that Napoleon's "baguette" had been stolen by his disgruntled doctor a few days after the Emperor's death, he rushed out to New Jersey. Why? Because that's where an eccentric American collector who had purchased Napoleon's member at a Parisian auction now kept the actual relic in an old suitcase under his bed. The story of Napoleon's privates triggered Perrottet's quest to research other such exotic sagas from history, to discover the actual evidence behind the most famous age-old mysteries: Did Churchill really send condoms of a surprising size to Stalin? Were champagne glasses really molded upon Marie Antoinette's breasts? What was JFK's real secret service? What were Casanova's best pickup lines? Napoleon's Privates is filled with offbeat, riotously entertaining anecdotes that are guaranteed to amaze, shock, and enliven any dinner party.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Sure. It's Good For A Laugh August 31, 2008
As one might guess, the prurient stories are the focus of the book; and since they had the author's full attention, they really are very funny. I kept the book by my bed, which was perfect because of the very short articles -- two or three read and I was in slumber land, probably with a small smile.
A couple things an editor should have caught: while his discussion on the accuracy and relevance of the permanent virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is right-on-target, he makes the common error of identifying The Immaculate Conception as the moment when Mary conceived Jesus. Wrong. The Immaculate Conception, in Catholic teaching, is the moment when Mary herself was conceived in her mother's womb, and "enjoyed in advance" the merits of the cross. When Gabriel appeared to Mary and she conceived Jesus is The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Hey -- sorry if that's Too Much Information.)
On the history of masturbation, he didn't get the sin of Onan exactly right. At the time, Jewish law called for a brother to impregnate his brother's widow. Onan withdrew and failed to honor his responsibility.
Nit-picking aside, the book is a lot of fun; but let me suggest you find it in a library or borrow it from a friend. You'll finish reading it in a few days.
 Interesting, But Doesn't Live up to Hype and Billing August 24, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
An interesting book with many unusual and intriguing facts and stories, but never quite lives up to the hype and billing it received in early promos and reviews.
By the end, the reader may well be thinking, "Well, that's neat, but so what?" Or worse, "Moving right along so I can finish this thing up..."
After a while, a little, in tone and fact, goes a long way.
Not bad. Not great. Lukewarm at best. And maybe, in the end, a waste of time.
 What the History Books Failed to Mention August 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book contains a wealth of historical gems. In over fifty chapters, the author presents a series of historical snippets most of which have, for obvious reasons, been omitted from standard history texts. Although most of the topics are sex-oriented in some way, not all of them are in that category; some involve gastronomy (in various forms), odd habits, celebrity quirks, etc. The writing style is refreshing to say the least; that is, it is irreverent, tongue-in-cheek, accessible, engaging, witty, down-to-earth and in many cases absolutely hilarious. The references that are indicated at the end of each chapter, the authorities that were consulted, as named in the acknowledgments, as well as the author's own expertise give the reader confidence as to the accuracy of the stories that are presented. This is a book that can be thoroughly enjoyed by absolutely anyone. History has never been so much fun to read.
Caught with their pants down! August 15, 2008
This book is, shall we say, filled with all kinds a tidbits that hit below the belt. Shockingly funny, often extremely irreverent, Napoleon's Privates certainly won't leave anyone hanging (gasp)! While this book certainly won't find its way into history classes (at least I would hope not), it takes a fresh (and very bare) look at historical figures and practices ranging from urine taxes to whether or not Hitler was dealing with a full set (of gonads, that is).
Certainly, Napoleon's Privates is a quick read that would make for great material to take to the beach or to the "reading room."
Everything you've never wanted to know about famous figures, and never thought to ask... August 9, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Finally... The answers to all those important questions that have plagued mankind over the years. Who's buried in Custer's tomb? How many children did Jefferson have with his slave Sally Hemings? And was Napoleon's "private parts" go to the grave with him? These and many other "critical" questions are answered in Napoleon's Privates: 2,500 Years of History Unzipped by Tony Perrottet. Yeah, nothing much in here *has* to be known to get by in life, but it's a fun read and a look at history that's not normally discussed in polite company.
(Normally, I'd list the table of contents here to give the prospective reader an idea of what's included. But each "chapter" is only a couple pages long, the titles are full questions or statements, and it goes on for three pages. The listing would be longer than my review. Trust me when I say they touch on a whole lot of strange and bizarre items...)
Perrottet's idea for the book started when he heard that Napoleon's "privates" had been absconded with at death, and were now in the possession of a guy who lived in New Jersey. After tracing down that particular story, he started following up on many other salacious rumors of people and places. Did J. Edgar Hoover, the gruff head of the FBI for many years, actually go to parties in drag? The rumors say yes, but the evidence is lacking and the main accuser had a bit of a motive for spreading the story. Were ancient Olympian athletes pure and natural, untouched by today's level of performance enhancing substances? Nope, they were just as driven to win at any cost, using potions, charms, and rituals designed to offer up an edge over the competition. They would have had to have been to try things like Ethiopian dirt, the flesh of a spotted gecko, or squeezed mustard-rocket leaf (known as the Semen of Hercules). Yuck... All those giants of industry, those "robber barons" who built the foundation of many of our industries? Perrottet charts a number of them, looking at their childhood, their big break, the signature coupe, their bid for respectability, their secret tip, and finally, their "inspirational quote". Easy to get choked up with Jay Gould's classic "I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half."
This smallish book is filled with historical factoids that probably won't make much of a difference in how you live your life. But it's a fun read, and it'll offer up some alternative perspectives on who and/or why certain historical figures behaved as they did. I definitely won't look at a champagne class the same way again...
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