The Memorial of Saint Helena records Emmanuel de Las Cases’s time with Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile on Saint Helena. Drawing on conversations and daily observations, Las Cases presents Napoleon reflecting on his upbringing, the French Revolution, his rise to power, military campaigns, government and eventual defeat. The work combines personal recollection with extended discussions of politics, history and leadership.

Napoleon frequently interprets and defends his own actions, offering explanations of major decisions and presenting his views on institutions, war, diplomacy and the future of Europe. Las Cases also describes the conditions of exile and the relationships surrounding the former emperor.

The memoir became an important source for later perceptions of Napoleon. While it preserves valuable testimony from his final years, it also reflects Napoleon’s efforts to shape his historical reputation and Las Cases’s sympathetic presentation of him.