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.
     In France, Waterloo is still an open wound. The French know they lost, but they can't believe it, and think they were robbed. Two centuries after the Battle of Waterloo -- June 18, 1815 -- the French believe that whoever rules the universe got it wrong when Napoleon had victory snatched from his grasp. They are suffering in very much the same way as the English about almost every World Cup defeat to Germany since 1966. The Prussian General Blücher, arriving at the last minute to save Wellington from imminent defeat, was clearly offside and his goal really shouldn't have been allowed. Behind all the serious historical analysis, it honestly is that simple.
     How the French Really Won Waterloo re-examines Waterloo, and France's feelings about it. Napoleon is a national hero, he was a winner, not a loser -- mais bien sûr!