> Skip to content
Play sample
  • Published: 4 June 2015
  • ISBN: 9781473506367
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 320
Categories:

How the French Won Waterloo - or Think They Did




Published in the 200th Anniversary year of the Battle of Waterloo a witty look at how the French still think they won, by Stephen Clarke, author of 1000 Years of Annoying the French and A Year in the Merde.

Published in the 200th Anniversary year of the Battle of Waterloo a witty look at how the French still think they won, by Stephen Clarke, author of 1000 Years of Annoying the French and A Year in the Merde.

Two centuries after the Battle of Waterloo, the French are still in denial.

If Napoleon lost on 18 June 1815 (and that's a big 'if'), then whoever rules the universe got it wrong. As soon as the cannons stopped firing, French historians began re-writing history. The Duke of Wellington was beaten, they say, and then the Prussians jumped into the boxing ring, breaking all the rules of battle. In essence, the French cannot bear the idea that Napoleon, their greatest-ever national hero, was in any way a loser. Especially not against the traditional enemy – les Anglais.

Stephen Clarke has studied the French version of Waterloo, as told by battle veterans, novelists, historians – right up to today's politicians, and he has uncovered a story of pain, patriotism and sheer perversion ...

  • Published: 4 June 2015
  • ISBN: 9781473506367
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 320
Categories:

About the author

Stephen Clarke

Dr Stephen Clarke is a history graduate of the University of Otago and the University of New South Wales. His long-time interest has been the social and cultural impact of war on New Zealand society with expertise in the observance of Anzac Day. After two years as Historian with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Dr Clarke joined the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association in 2001 to work on national projects and later public relations. As Chief Executive he led the strategic transformation and rebrand of the RSA between 2008 and 2013. This was followed by a year at the Royal British Legion in London, where as the first Head of Remembrance he oversaw the start of the First World War Centenary programme. He is an independent historian and founding director of Making History Ltd.

Also by Stephen Clarke

See all

Praise for How the French Won Waterloo - or Think They Did

Indeed, as Stephen Clarke demonstrates in this cheeky book, they have spent two whole centuries 'indulging in outrageous denial'

Daily Mail

Clarke’s tone is larky, but his outrageously readable work is based on extensive research, with a wealth of enticing detail.

Daily Mail

This is Waterloo as stand-up, funny and caustic by turns

BBC History Magazine