How is it that the whole world admires Napoleon, but today’s French don’t care about him?

France's staggering WW1 casualty rate mapped

Some Frenchmen believed that they had the lowest birthrates was because they were more civilised than everyone else. But this was fine, since the barbarous peoples of Africa, Asia and Germany would one day, presumably, also become civilised, thus reducing their fertility:

The word “civilization” was coined by the French in the 18th century, and in its original usage by the French it was never pluralized — there was only one civilization and it was that of the French people, all other peoples were barbarians

The French should STOP worshipping Louis XIV and Napoleon. The greatest ruler in French history was Louis XI. It is time to admit that the French obsession with "Grandeur" has been a historical trap. Napoleon and Louis XIV were performers who loved the stage, but a ruler’s primary job isn't to look good on a horse or in a palace. It is to make the state immortal. Look at the actual cost of the icons. Louis XIV built Versailles but left the peasantry starving and the treasury bankrupt. Napoleon won the most brilliant battles in history only to lose the map, leaving France smaller, weaker, and more isolated than he found it. These weren't successes; they were expensive ego trips that the French people are still paying for in myth-making. Then there is Louis XI. He didn't want a crown of gold; he wanted a web of control. They called him the "Universal Spider" because he understood that a well-placed bribe or a secret letter was more effective—and much cheaper—than a cavalry charge. While the "Great" kings were busy wasting lives in vanity wars, Louis XI was doing the heavy lifting. He broke the power of the feudal lords, annexed Burgundy and Anjou, and effectively drew the borders of the modern Hexagon. He created the national postal service and centralized the economy. He built the actual hardware of the French state that the others simply ran their flashy software on. If you judge a leader by the stability and strength of the nation they leave behind, Louis XI is the undisputed greatest. He was unflashy, cynical, and famously dressed like a commoner, but he is the reason France exists as a coherent unit today. It’s time to stop worshipping the showmen and start respecting the architect.

A French soldier kicking a German citizen in 1923 after World War I Seventeen years later… Germany takes the sweetest revenge 💀

"We are a portion of the dominant family of the world — we are of the English-speaking race. Our kindred are scattered in different parts of the globe, and wherever they are, no matter how far distant apart, there is a feeling of affection — there is that crimson tie, that bond of unity, existing which time does not affect, and as years roll by it grows firmer, stronger and in the end will become indispensable." PM Richard Seddon PC 🇳🇿🇬🇧

Fuck it, Battle of Gaugamela (Alexander, 2004) This scene is remarkable because it's perhaps the most accurate depiction of ancient warfare ever produced – and most of it can be followed along from ancient sources: 0:05 - Alexander's speech is instead delivered to his officers. He says that they do not require inspiration, but implores them to do their duty... ‘...for they were about to fight, not, as before, for Syria or Phoenicia or Egypt, but this time the issue at stake was the sovereignty of the whole Asian continent.’ – Arrian, p.162 1:15 – Alexander and his Companion Cavalry drift right. He wants to draw the elite Persian cavalry towards him, creating a gap in their centre. Darius orders his cavalry to envelop Alexander's cavalry, so as to stop them from moving further to the Persian left. 2:36 – Since Alexander is riding towards rough terrain – where Darius' chariots would be unable to operate – Darius launches his chariots early. 3:49 – Agrianian javelinmen are shown running beside Alexander's Companion Cavalry. They will screen his flanks when required. – Arrian, p.168 4:12 – ‘Some of the vehicles (chariots) succeeded in passing through, but to no purpose, for the Macedonians had orders... to break formation and let them through deliberately... Such as got through were, however, subsequently dealt with by the Royal Guard and the army grooms.’ – Arrian, p.168 5:43 – ‘...an order was sent (by Alexander) to Aretes (not Cassander) to attack the Persian cavalry which was trying to outflank and surround the Macedonian right... ...the movements of the Persian cavalry... left a gap in the Persian front – and this was Alexander's opportunity...’ – Arrian, p.168-69 7:40 – Parmenion, commanding the Macedonian left, is struggling to hold his ground. He dispatches a messenger to notify Alexander. 10:03 – ‘He (Alexander) promptly made for the gap, and, with his Companions... drove in his wedge and raising the battle-cry pressed forward... for the point where Darius stood.’ – Arrian, p.169 11:22 – ‘A close struggle ensued, but it was soon over; for when the Macedonian horse, with Alexander himself at the head of them, vigorously pressed the assault...’ 12:10 – ‘...Darius, who had been on edge since the battle began and saw nothing but terrors all around him, was the first to turn tail and ride for safety.’ – Arrian, p.169 12:29 – Alexander receives the report that the Macedonian left flank is breaking. The Persians on the right flank are unaware Darius has fled, and are pressing relentlessly. ‘...some of the Indian and Persian cavalry burst through the gap and penetrated right to the rear where the Macedonian pack-animals were.’ Alexander has to abandon his pursuit of Darius to rescue Parmenion's heavy infantry. – Arrian, p.169

Only those who read books regularly will understand this feeling.