At its height, the Napoleonic Empire spanned much of mainland Europe. Feted and feared by millions of citizens, Napoleon was the most powerful and famous man of his age. But following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo the future of the one-time Emperor of France and master of Europe seemed irredeemably bleak. How did the brilliant tactician cope with being at the mercy of his captors? How did he react to a life in exile on St Helena - and how did the other inhabitants of that isolated and impregnable island respond to his presence there? And what tactics did he develop to preserve his legacy in such drastically reduced circumstances?

Tracing events from the dramatic defeat at Waterloo to his death six years later, this is the first modern comprehensive account of the last phase of Napoleon's life. Drawing on many previously overlooked journals and letters, Brian Unwin has pieced together a remarkably vivid account of Napoleon's final years which also offers fresh insights into the character of this giant of European history. 'Terrible Exile' brilliantly evokes the claustrophobic atmosphere of life on St Helena, offering a colourful and original history of the period as well as a persuasive psychological portrait of a great man in reduced circumstances. It will be essential reading for anyone with an interest in Napoleonic history and is an important addition to our understanding of the subject.

How have the workings of the British civil service changed over the past forty years? In this new memoir, Sir Brian Unwin discloses his veritable wealth of experience behind the scenes of British government. His reflections chart a course from his education at Oxford and Yale, through to a seven year stint as President of the European Investment Bank. On the way, his vivid and diverse career spanned diplomatic posts in Ghana and Southern Rhodesia, time at the Treasury and the chairmanship of HM Customs and Excise. Including a first-hand, eyewitness account of the air crash that killed UN Dag Hammarskjoeld, these memoirs encounter some of the most iconic moments and personalities of late 20th century politics. Over the course of his career, Unwin has attained an understanding of the finer details of British government like few others - at once nostalgic, personal and deeply knowledgeable, his memoirs shed light on the inner workings of Whitehall.