Book excerpt: Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), author of The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, The Man in the Iron Mask, etc..., chronicles the events of Napoleon's Egyptian expedition, including his foray into Syria. Dumas' father, the famous French general Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, accompanied Napoleon on that ill-conceived campaign. Following the "Battle of the Pyramids," a dispute arose between the two concerning Napoleon's leadership on the long dry march to Cairo. This incident prompted General Dumas to withdraw from the expedition and return to France. Although the general died while Alexandre was still a child, Dumas learned the details of the campaign from his father's comrades-in-arms.