What better place to conduct the 6th International Napoleonic Congress than in Corsica. The great natural beauty and unique charm of this island aside, what Napoleonic scholar and interested laymen could escape that special feeling of elation of convening in the place of Napoleon's birth and getting the feel of the geographic environment that helped shaping his personality.

The participation of scholars from seven countries made for the liveliness and intensity of the discussion during and after the sessions. The papers presented will best be pursued in full and digested on the congress DVD in preparation. Following are a few private comments: Michel Franceschi's opening paper "Les Masses de Granite" included a clear caveat of conducting our researches, not on a base of selective evidence but on the complete sources available, sine ira et studio.

It was followed by Jean DeFrancesch's call to open Napoleon's tomb to settle the dispute whether his authentic hair indeed contained the amount of arsenic to prove his poisoning in the mode argued by B. Weider and his associates. Although the speaker aroused considerable protest, he is voicing a minority which, though constantly diminishing, is not yet convinced of poisoning having been the cause for Napoleon's demise.

A considerable number of lectures have made it their goal to penetrate the mind of Napoleon and the psychological influences upon his character and decision-making during the various phases of his life (contributions by E. Levanon and E. Vitztum, I. Wirth, J. Ruderman, C. Reilly, Ph. Montanari). The great importance of the subject makes it imperative that senior colleagues with long experience, theoretical, clinical and practical, as for instance the first pair of lecturers, should be more permanently involved.

David Markham's paper was a masterful reconstruction of the detailed activities, omissions to act and at least partly purposely false pretences, which brought about Napoleon's embarkation and the latter's setting sail for St. Helena. How much is there to be gained by minute examination of the available sources.

Philippe Girard did a bold step in lifting the veil from the much neglected activities of the French navy as well as from the naval aspect of the Caribbean campaign (1801-1803).

John Gallaher and Jan Bosteels examined specific persons. The latter reiterated the prominent role played by Dominique Larrey in making the French medical services leading during the first half of the 19 th century and his being among the most outstanding military surgeons in modern times. John Gallaher's paper brings to our attention the severe tensions between the commander-in-chief and most of his capable subordinates. These tensions occurred with most great captains, Napoleon included, and tend to have a negative influence on the conduct of campaigns and battles.

The clarifying of the meaning of feudalism from the eve of the revolution throughout Napoleonic times will give to many scholars and interested laymen a much desired better understanding of the major socio-economic problems of these periods.

Allon Klebanoff took us once more into the realm of art-history and drew a fascinating picture of naval painting up to and including the Napoleonic period – in all its drama and grandeur. A very positively addition to former congress curricula was Sean Richarz' lecture "music and the Hundred Days", which afforded an intimate insight into the work of a composer of a Napoleonic musical. Later, at the gala dinner, three singers performed for us some of the parts already composed.

The writer's own contribution drew attention to the fact that the unprepared clash between alien cultures, as exemplified by Napoleon's Oriental campaigns is usually calamitous.

A major adjunct to the lecture periods was the profound hospitality extended to us by the Corsican authorities and the Mayor of Ajaccio and his town council.

Participation in the wreath-laying at the monument for the Fallen of Ajaccio from W.W.I to recent years and the lightening of the flame of the Legion of Honor made us remember that the Corsicans were among the first to take up arms against the German invaders in 1942 and their fight from inside the "maquis", the local dense underwood, which gave the French resistance its name.

The heart of the Israeli participants warmed especially when various Corsicans related with obvious pride, that none of the Corsican Jews were handed over to the Gestapo and related German agencies.

A special flavor added to the various ceremonies was the presence of a guard of honor in Napoleonic uniforms. When ascending the broad and high flight of steps leading from the entrance to the town hall for the reception held by the Mayor of Ajaccio, we passed, under the brilliant light of manifold lustres, between two rows of Grenadiers presenting arms. All of us felt as it time had stood still and we were heading for an imperial reception.

One of the special highlights of the congress was a full-day visit to Elba - which needs a description of its own. A general impression was that even lesser rulers than Napoleon would have tried to return from the pleasant, but small and extremely modest place, to their former sphere of rule and activities.

The airfare to Elba was among the various monetary contributions to the congress made by Ben Weider, our (the INS) president. Our main regret has been his absence, and many a toast was proposed in his honor as a token of gratitude and wish for his health.

The actual organization and direction of the congress fell to David Markham, the society's executive vice-president – and he did so most efficiently. He was ably assisted by General Michel Franceschi, whose hand, local knowledge (being a Corsican himself) and influence as being the highest-ranking officer, living in Corsica, could be detected throughout the congress and very much so, the extra mural activities outside the conference hall.

Thus our thanks for being wiser than before and having spent a splendid time in The Great Corse's country of birth go to the trio: Ben Weider, David Markham and Michel Franceschi.

Some photos of the Congress.