This book is about a major historical figure, Napoleon III, and a political regime. It examines how Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte (nephew of the first Napoleon) was able to secure election as President of the Republic and subsequently to launch a coup d'état to establish a Second Empire. It then considers the ways in which power was exercised by the new imperial regime. Later, apparent stability led Napoleon III to engage in a difficult process of transition towards a more liberal regime; but at the point of success the decision was taken to go to war against Prussia which resulted in a catastrophic defeat and the destruction of his regime. This is a most thoroughly researched book on the Second Empire, which makes a contribution to our knowledge of a vitally important period of French history following the 1848 revolution and the intense mid-century crisis.

‘… a major achievement … It will surely - and deservedly - be regarded as the standard work on the ‘anatomy’ of a political system now receiving its due attention.’

Source: H-FRANCE

‘This book should prove to be invaluable to serious students and scholars of the French Second empire for many years to come … an absolute must for any and all serious students of the ill-fated Second Empire and its often (and to a degree overly) maligned emperor, Napoleon III.’

Source: History

‘… a monumental achievement.’

Source: The Times Literary Supplement

‘… wide-ranging and remarkably enjoyable.’

Graham Robb Source: London Review of Books

‘… Prices’s study lies … in his impressive mastery of detail and in how he manages to clothe the bones of his subject with a wealth of information and illustrative material from an astonishingly wide range of sources.’

Source: History