Alexander I: the Tsar who defeated Napoleon

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Alexander I, a ruler with high aspirations for Russia, ascended to the throne in 1801 following his father's brutal assassination. In this biography, Marie-Pierre Rey explores the complex forces shaping Alexander's reign, shedding light on the handsome ruler known as "the Sphinx." Initially committed to sweeping political reforms, Alexander's liberal aspirations were soon overshadowed by civil unrest and costly confrontations with Napoleon, culminating in the French invasion of Russia and the burning of Moscow in 1812. Although he ultimately defeated Napoleon and entered Paris as a victor, Alexander grew weary of military glory. Over time, he became increasingly focused on his spiritual salvation, seeking reconciliation between the Orthodox and Roman churches. Napoleon, in exile, acknowledged Alexander's potential, stating, "He could go far. If I die here, he will be my true heir in Europe." However, this was not to be, as Napoleon died on Saint Helena, and Alexander succumbed to typhus four years later at just forty-eight. Rey's richly nuanced portrait revitalizes the legacy of the tsar who was central to the political landscape of early nineteenth-century Europe, a pivotal figure in diplomacy, war, and international intrigue during a tumultuous era.