Congratulations to Winston Valentine ’26 (Far Hills, N.J.), who has published his debut book, To Destiny, an exploration of Napoleon Bonaparte’s early years.

Winston’s fascination with history began in childhood, when he first discovered junior history books and later expanded his knowledge through historical documentaries and online content. A series of videos on Napoleon sparked what would become years of dedicated research. By eighth grade, Valentine set out to write a book about the enigmatic French Emperor—and after countless hours of reading, drafting, and refining, that vision has become a reality.

To Destiny chronicles Napoleon’s first three decades, from his birth on the island of Corsica to his meteoric rise during the French Revolution, culminating in his audacious coup to seize power. Along the way, readers encounter a cast of extraordinary figures, including Joseph Fouché, the ruthless Minister of Police; the cunning diplomat Talleyrand; and Napoleon’s loyal confidants and rivals alike.

The book’s title draws from a sword Napoleon once gifted to his wife, Josephine, inscribed with the words “To Destiny.” Just weeks later, Napoleon launched his first campaign, beginning his ascent toward becoming one of history’s most formidable leaders.

Initially, Winston envisioned writing a sweeping biography, but he chose instead to focus To Destiny on Napoleon’s formative years. With guidance from family friend Charles Wohlforth, who recently ghostwrote U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski’s memoir, Winston polished the manuscript over two years, weaving together primary sources and his extensive research.

The result is a compelling narrative that captures both Napoleon’s transformation from idealist to pragmatist and the turbulent era that reshaped Europe.

“Napoleon’s early life and the revolutionary period are among the most captivating chapters in history,” Winston shared. “I wanted to bring that energy to readers my age and beyond.”

To Destiny is available at Amazon.com.