"The history book on the shelf always repeats itself," says the popular song "Waterloo" made famous by the 1970s band ABBA. The song takes its name from Napoleon Bonaparte's last battle, a total failure in which he faced the Duke of Wellington and his army near the city of Waterloo. Indeed, Napoleon tried to repeat himself and his former glory in this battle. Born into a poor family in Corsica, Napoleon soared far beyond his humble background and embarked on perhaps the most legendary military career in history. However, "absolute power corrupts absolutely", is something Napoleon would soon learn as he fell from power and glory, finally dying after many years of isolation in 1813. History could not repeat itself for Napoleon, but there is no doubt that His actions set the stage for a new future across Europe and in France, he will remain a hero, forever. Everyone loves an underdog story and the story of Napoleon epitomizes this genre. Born in Corsica, it seemed that Napoleon was destined to forever become a second-class French citizen. He was born into a relatively poor family but was determined to overcome his circumstances. He was highly motivated and won a prestigious scholarship to attend a military school in France when he was just nine years old. Because he ran, he was despised by his classmates, so to prove his worth he was determined to win absolutely everything. He was more than just smart; he was a genius who excelled in almost every field, and everyone who met him was impressed by his passion for success. Napoleon became an artillery expert and completed his training in half the time. By the age of 16, he was a full-fledged officer and found glory in battle... middle of paper... led him to become the emperor of one of the strongest nations on earth, but this power could not last. A legend in life, Napoleon outgrew himself, which led to his downfall, but he left a legacy that is not easily forgotten. His greatest political achievement, the Napoleonic Code, set a standard that is still upheld throughout Europe today. Napoleon Bonaparte, the greatest soldier of all, was a hero in life and death. Works Cited Parker, Philip. World history. New York: DK Publishing, 2010.Napoleon Bonaparte: The Glory of France. Distributed by Biography Channel. 1993. A& Television, 1997. DVD.Broussard, Nicolas. Napoleon: Hegelian hero. Translated by Judith Rosenzweig. Revue du Souvenir Napoléonien 400 (1995). Accessed April 23, 2014. http://www.napoleon.org/en/reading_room/articles/files/napoleon_hegelian_hero.asp#informations