"[Dr] Verling was based on St Helena during Napoleon's imprisonment and at one point he was even appointed as Napoleon's official physician. Throughout his stay, this young Irish doctor kept a vivid and detailed diary of his experiences, which is published here for the first time, augmented with important letters between the principle players with an introduction and analysis by [the author] ... Through Verling's eyes, we get a fresh view of daily life on the island and of the suspicion-filled artificial society that grew up around Napoleon during his last years"--Jacket.