This set of books is an interesting account of a period in French history that is much debated and studied. Barras, though responsible for the initial rise of Napoleon to greatness, was deeply resentful of him at the end of his life and had the manuscript of his memoirs taken to a friend's house at the time of his death as they contained many papers that were not politically correct for the government of the time. It is therefore interesting that this autobiography was actually published many decades after his death. The details are described in a New York Times article dated 1895. The text is full of historical inaccuracies, mostly fueled by the revenge of Barras towards Napoleon. Harper & Brothers Publishers, NY, 1895. First American Edition. First Printing. Publisher's full cream cloth, gilt lettering and vicomte coronet decoration, gilt, on spine, gilt lettering and coat-of-arms medallion, gilt and blue, on covers, fore-edges deckle. Illustrated with seven portraits in photogravure, two facsimiles, and two Plans. Edited, with a general Introduction, Prefaces and Appendices by George Duruy. Translated from the French by C. E. Roche. Booiks are in good condition with some sunning to the spines and some minor bumping consistent with age. Ex libris and prior owner name in all 4 volumes. Volume One: The Ancient Regime and The Revolution; Volume Two: The Directorate up to the 18th Fructidor; Volume Three: The Directorate from the 18th Fructidor to the 18th Brumaire; Volume Four: The Consulate, The Empire, The Restoration, and Analytical Index. Paul François Jean Nicolas, Vicomte de Barras (1755 – 1829) was a leader of the French Revolution, the main executive officer during the Directorate, and the man largely responsible for the rise of Napoleon, as well as for his marriage to Josephine.