学术英语视听说1听力原文

Today I’m going to talk to you about one of the most important historical figures in European history: Napoleon Bonaparte. Let’s start by talking about his early life. Napoleon was born in 1769 on the island of Corsica. When he was only 10 years old his father sent him to military school in France. N. was not a very good student in most of his classes but he excelled in mathematics and military science. When he was 16 years old he joined the French army. In that year 1785 he began the military career that would bring him fame power riches and finally defeat. N. became a general in the French army at the young age of 24. N. had many victories on the battlefield but he also became involved in French law and politics. And in 1804 at the age of 35 he became the first emperor of the France.

N. was many things. He was first of all a brilliant military leader. His soldiers were ready to die for him. As a result N. won many military victories. At one time he controlled most of Europe but some countries including England Russia and Austria fought fiercely against him. His defeat—“his end” came when he decided to attack Russia. In this military campaign against Russia he lost most of his army. The great French conqueror died alone—deserted by his family and friends in 1821. N. was only 51 years old when he died.