The Emperor's YouthBy Phillip BloomSt-Bruno, QuebecIntroductionNapoléon Bonaparte was and still is one of France's most revered heroes. Though born a Corsican in 1769, Napoléon journeyed to France for schooling at the age of nine. He remained fiercely patriotic towards his homeland throughout his life, though he visited Corsica infrequently after leaving. He often tried to help the island, but was persecuted for his efforts.

In 1778 Napoléone family was blossoming and resources were becoming somewhat scarce. His father decided his oldest boys were ready for more comprehensive schooling and decided to enroll them in one of the two schools for French nobility. Napoléone, it was decided, should become a soldier for he was very rambunctious and loved history and mathematics. Giuseppe was the reverse of Napoléone and was enrolled to become a priest.

His first real military opportunity came as a captain of artillery at the siege of Toulon, where he expertly seized crucial forts and was able to bombard the British naval and land forces, eventually forcing them to sail away.

After that the couple's marriage became a loving partnership, although never again was she able to take Napoleon's love for granted and so remained loyal to him.