Introduction

INTRODUCTION

 

This is the first segment of a work that I have entitled The Rainbow Chronology: The Age of Napoleon: A Comprehensive Reference to the Story of Humankind, 1799-1815.

 

The time period covered in this segment is the years 1799 to 1815. For most historians, this time period is known as the Age of Napoleon, so named because undoubtedly the Corsican was the dominant global personality of the time.

 

Accordingly, much of the text that follows will be dedicated to the life and career of Napoleon.  However, while Napoleon will play a key role, his story is not the primary purpose of this text.  The primary purpose is to tell the story of humankind. Thus, while this volume is a story of Napoleon, it is primarily a reference compilation of the components that make up the spectrum of humankind. In telling this particular segment of the story of humankind, this work is quite possibly the most comprehensive chronology of the time period 1799 to 1815 that has ever been prepared.  As such, it is a unique testament to the achievements of men and women around the world – a global testament that has long been overdue.

                  

In reading this work, you the reader may discover the use of some terminology with which you may be unfamiliar.

In this work, a new designation is used to indicate time according to the Christian calendar.  Instead of using “A.D.” or “C.E.”, I have used “C.C.”  “C.C.” stands for Christian calendar.  “C.C.” is used here because “A.D.” stands for the Latin phrase “anno Domini” which means “in the year of our Lord.”  For those who are not of the Christian faith, the use of “A.D.” may be deemed to be a heretical affront to one of the basic tenets of their faith, … or their absence of faith.

 

As for not using “C.E.,” “C.E.” can stand for “Common Era” but is frequently designated as “Christian Era.”  The term “Christian Era” seems to imply a religious supremacy that again may be objectionable not only from a sectarian perspective but also from an historical perspective.  A review of history reveals that Christianity, while a powerful global force, has never predominated throughout the world and, arguably, does not predominate now.   To assert that time as determined by the perceived birth of Christ should govern the history of the world (as well as the fate of humankind) is an assertion that, from the perspective of many non-Christians, is simply erroneous.

 

With regards to time before the birth of Christ, I have used the abbreviation “B.C.T.” “B.C.T.” stands for “before Christian time” and corresponds to the commonly referred to as “B.C.E.” (before Common (Christian) Era) or “B.C.” (before Christ) in most Western time schemes.

 

Elsewhere in the text, usually accompanying the segment you will find references to the calendar designations used by other non-Christian people.  Thus, in the Muslim Perspective segments you will find references to the Islamic calendar year, in the Jewish Perspective segments you will find references to the Hebrew calendar years; and in the Asian Perspective segments you will references to the Chinese calendar, the Japanese calendar and the Indian (Saka) calendar. These alternative calendar references are not exhaustive but rather are illustrative of the varied ways that people around the world differ in the way that even time is perceived.

Having noted the problem I have with the commonly accepted designation of time, I should also note a few other problems I have had with regards to the use of language in historical texts. 

 

I am an African American. When reading history from an African American perspective, one is frequently confronted with a vocabulary that reflects certain biases and misunderstandings of the times.  Columbus, believing he had landed in the East Indies, called the people he encountered "Indians".  His error became a part of the language.  Africans were called "Negroes" because "negro" is the Spanish word for "black" and that was perceived to be the color of the skin of most Africans.  Today the term "Negro" is in disrepute but its English equivalent "black" is still commonly used even though the skin color of most African Americans is obviously not black.  

 

In this work, I have tended to use the terms “African” or “person of African descent” when referring to a person with some measure of African blood in their veins. I have also frequently utilized the phrase “child of two worlds” or “COTW” for short to describe individuals of bi-racial heritage.  Similarly, I have liberally used the phrases “Indigenous Americans” or “People of the Sovereign Nations” or the abbreviation “POTSN” to describe those commonly called “American Indians.”  As for the terms “whites” or “white people,” I have resisted using those phrases because they too are inaccurate and have certain racial and psychological connotations.  Instead, I have used the term “European” or “European American.”

 

Finally, in reading historical texts containing a typically Western perspective, one is often confronted by pejorative terms that are applied to non-Western peoples. In this book, I have tried to avoid such pejorative terms. 

 

While reading this work, you will notice that occasionally there is a bracketed phrase instructing the reader to see another year.  These bracketed references are provided to assist the reader to find another reference in the work that may be more explanatory than the reference currently being read.

 

With regards to the sources of the information contained within this work, the information has been primarily compiled using secondary sources such as other chronologies. Without meaning any disrespect to the sources I have relied upon, I must admit that there have been a number of errors or outdated information which I have encountered in compiling the information contained in this work.  To the best of my ability, I have attempted to correct the errors and to update the information.  However, it is inevitable that errors and outdated information continue to exist within this text. 

 

For any errors or outdated information that may appear in this work, I, as the author, take full responsibility.  However, as the author, I do make a special request of you, the reader.  If you find errors, I would greatly appreciate your informing me of them by writing to me.  As I envision the life of this work, it will be subject to additional editions and revisions.  Therefore, your assistance as a critical reader would be most appreciated in correcting any deficiencies that may exist in this edition so that the same deficiencies will not exist in future.

 

Additionally, in the course of reading this work you will find certain interpretations of historical events that I have provided. From the outset, it must be noted that these interpretations are based upon my own particular “African American” perspective which may not necessarily comport with the perspective which has historically been placed on the same event.  After all, given the complexity of history, the uncertainty of numbers, and the contestability of facts, it is quite understandable that differing viewpoints may arise concerning the same historical event.  The comments I have made simply set forth my particular opinion with regards to the significance of the event.  You, as an independent reader, are encouraged to read and develop opinions of your own.

 

Nevertheless, while saying this, there is one area of concern that I do wish to address.  While I fully expect disagreement with my interpretations or opinions, the one criticism I am particularly sensitive to is a criticism that my interpretations are unfair or are not based on facts.  Having lived in a country where the history of African American people has largely been ignored, where even today, erroneous facts and historical interpretations, are presented as the truth, I am loathe to perpetuate an evil that I am endeavoring to cure.

 

If, during the course of reading this work, you find that a certain unfair or unwarranted bias has interfered with the presentation of the truth, I implore you to convey that criticism to me.  As the author of this work, I want it to be as accurate as it can be.  Only by hearing from you, the reader, will I be able correct what may be wrong.

 

Finally, as a student of history, the most important lesson I have learned is that history is not written in stone.  After all, even some of the more basic facts are often contested, numbers are frequently merely estimates, and the historical records almost invariably reflect the interests and biases of the historian. 

 

Given all this, the study of history must be an evolving process which, if done appropriately, is approached from different perspectives as well as from different times. The study of history must be a never-ending search that examines the ramifications of historical events not only for the conquerors but also for the conquered.

 

In this work, I have endeavored to present a chronological study of the story of humankind as I believe it should be done. However, I know all too well, that this work is not finished, -- that my work is incomplete.  As I have noted in all my books, what I have ultimately discovered in compiling and writing these works is that these efforts are merely steps made along the journey of what has become a life encompassing quest for truth.