The story begins with Napoleon at 26, a charismatic and attractive leader, driven by the dream of bettering the lot of the common man. Fueled by the principles of the French Revolution he believes that anyone, regardless of their class, can attain any height to which their ambitions may lead them. At a lavish ball Napoleon meets an alluring woman named Rose de Beauharnais. He is instantly captivated and goes about trying to win her with all the passion and determination he applies to getting anything he wants. She, on the other hand, couldn't be less interested; he is younger than she is and completely lacking any social graces. It is the unlikely beginning of an improbable romance that is to bloom into one of the world's most passionate, tempestuous and ultimately heartbreaking love stories.