In August 1793, revolutionary France was in a precarious position, surrounded by enemies. In Toulon, a coup had handed over the entire French fleet to the British navy. For France to survive, Toulon had to be retaken, and France's saviour materialised in the shape of Napoleon Bonaparte. He organised guns and batteries to bombard the Allied fleet and on 17 December 1793, when the French attacked, he was able to take one of the key Allied positions. This book describes the eventual French victory at Toulon which saved the Revolution and promoted the young Napoleon Bonaparte, beginning his meteoric rise to power and catalysing the effect on Europe during the rest of the nineteenth century.