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Charles de Gaulle: A Biography
This magnificent volume by veteran European correspondent Don Cook is the first major biography of de Gaulle written by an American from an American perspective. Rich with new anecdotal material, it offers fresh evaluations and sheds new light on Europe's most controversial and enigmatic general, politician, and statesman. Arrogant, haughty, single-minded in war, politics, and his personal life, Charles de Gaulle ranks in many ways as the most powerful personality of an epoch blessed--or cursed--with powerful men. Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, Truman, Kennedy, and Khrushchev all locked horns with de Gaulle, and all eventually bowed to his wishes. This exciting biography takes full measure of the man and his times, when great soldiers and statesmen fought center stage and the fate of the world hung in the balance.
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First published January 28, 1984
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November 1, 2015
In an attempt to look outside of North America, I sought to educate myself about a man who played a key role in the European Theatre during the Second World War and in the decades thereafter. Having already looked at Churchill and Hitler, it is time to wade into Don Cook's world of General Charles de Gaulle. In this detailed biographical piece, Cook seeks not only to tell the story of de Gaulle's life, but portray the man in three distinct fashions, which are elucidated throughout the numerous chapters on offer. Cook presents the General as a life-long militarist, a staunch nationalist, and an ardent leader. These three roles intersect on numerous occasions and in a variety of ways, as Cook explores some of the key events in de Gaulle's life, as well as showing how Europe changed dramatically following the Second World War. Cook utilises a great deal of research as well as his vast experience to offer the reader a strong piece that presents the great role de Gaulle played in ensuring France was not forgotten after shedding its Vichy cloak, as well as pushing France to the forefront of the continent's economic and trade policies well into the 1960s. Definitely a book for readers who seek a deeper understanding of a key European player in the political and military spheres.
To call de Gaulle a life-long militarist would not be an exaggeration on Cook's part. From as early as he could be accepted, de Gaulle entered military training and scholastic endeavours, with the backing of his parents. Receiving much of his training on the cusp of the Great War, de Gaulle served France during some key battles, but was injured and away from fighting for much of the conflict. He was sent away to a prison camp by the Germans and left there to ponder his fate, which he did until his release. Thereafter, his life within the military was secured as he rose the ranks, crossing paths with the likes of Philippe Pétain, who would one day lead the Vichy Government under Nazi occupation. As de Gaulle rose within the military, his passion for his native country grew, as shall be documented below. Becoming a general, de Gaulle readied himself for the Second World War, though he was seemingly emasculated during France's early capture. Working of his own volition, de Gaulle refused to cede to the Vichy Government and its puppet nature, choosing to strive for the Free France movement. That de Gaulle did not seek to plot military strategies is not lost on Cook, though there was a strong push to ensure a powerful military and political force waited to resume power in the vacuum that was post-Vichy France. Cook argues that de Gaulle played that role well and plotted his return more than a military effort to keep the country in order. Even after his triumphant return to France, and in the years of his leading the country as a political head of state, de Gaulle did not flex his muscle and create a military state. As Cook exemplifies, de Gaulle sought the peace and order any military man might expect in times of calm and the ability to strategise in times of crisis. These traits, though somewhat nuanced in the larger picture, show that de Gaulle remained a life-long militarist, whose fight for France did not end when the Nazis were repelled from his homeland.
There is no doubt that de Gaulle loved France or sought to keep it from complete dissolution. Cook depicts the struggles de Gaulle had for years, living in exile in Algeria, while the British and (eventually) Americans fought to push the Nazis back and free France from Hitler's clutches. General de Gaulle remained adamant that he play some role, more political than military, in the Free France movement and became the face of the French Resistance. Cook depicts, in detail, the strain Roosevelt and Churchill were under in dealing with de Gaulle, who was the only 'government in exile' that would not sit back and wait for the removal of the Nazis from their native soils. These struggles left de Gaulle bitter towards Roosevelt and at regular odds with Churchill, but, as we shall discuss momentarily, could have helped secure his place in the European political arena in a post-war world. General de Gaulle sought to ensure France got its piece of the pie and was not given an Allied puppet government to replace the Vichy organisation, though his pushing could at times fall on deaf ears. Even in the early days of France's freedom, de Gaulle sought to rally his people and ensure that they knew he had been with them all along. Radio addresses kept him in contact with the French people and all the colonial inhabitants she possessed, with de Gaulle as its de facto leader. France always came before Europe or even the Allied cause for de Gaulle, as Cook exemplifies in the numerous clashes at the end of the War and into the Cold War period. That de Gaulle would not allow France to fall prey to its allies is also strongly laid out throughout the book. While the Soviet sphere of Europe fell behind the Iron Curtain, de Gaulle would not allow anyone to bully him into standing silently, especially when the integrity of France was at stake. As he pushed to reinstall France's honour in Europe into the 1960s, de Gaulle would not cede anything to diminish France or its importance on the world scene, showing his nationalist colours at every turn.
The leadership qualities that de Gaulle held were honed over a long period, but remained deep rooted. The qualities Cook shows repeatedly include de Gaulle's tenacity to keep France from falling into the hands of its enemies a second time, from being dissolved, and from political neutering at the hands of the Allies. As Cook shows, de Gaulle remained a thorn in the side of the Big Three (Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin) as he advocated for France, but also appeared to be a 'kicked dog', seen but often abused, by others. He sat patiently during the Free French movement, though would not sit idly by. His tours of French colonies and BBC broadcasts, as well as meetings with the Big Three went far to show his leadership abilities and ensconced a strong hold on the country into the 1950s, when he could lead France in a quasi-civilian manner. He never shed his military title, though France was not run by a military government at any point post-1945, which is a true curiosity to the reader. When de Gaulle made a triumphant return to the French presidency, he restructured the constitution into the Fifth Republic and ran as a president with string political powers, keeping the country on track to flex its muscle in the European arena. Blocking Britain's entry into the European Common Market, developing a nuclear program, and insisting on standing toe to toe with some of the world's most influential leaders did dampen de Gaulle's ability to act as a fervent leader of his people. Even in his waning years in power, de Gaulle pushed the envelop and wreaked havoc with two major countries. As Cook depicts in one chapter, de Gaulle's pro-Arab stance froze relations with Israel at one point, though de Gaulle did not stand down or change his views, looking to even the playing field. Additionally, while on a state visit to Canada during the country's centennial, de Gaulle fanned the flames of the separatist movement and called from Montreal's City Hall balcony "Vive le Quebec Libre!" an blatant step to exemplify Quebec's occupied territory status within the larger Canada. And yet, as Cook explores for the rest of the book, he did not apologise, for that was not in the de Gaulle nature. He was a man without fear and one who spoke for his people, which Cook insinuates made him the wonderful leader he was until his retirement.
Would de Gaulle have become so prominent a man had the Nazis not invaded and taken over France? Had he waited for the Allies to liberate the country before pushing for a new and fresh start, could de Gaulle have become the powerful leader that changed the face of France? Cook does not speculate, though the narrative and the detailed analysis of historical documents, as presented in this book, leads me to think not. General Charles de Gaulle left his imprint on France and the world because of his adamant fight to free France from its shackles and used that rallying cry to shapes popularity. He forged a relationship with the Big Three and pushed his way to the table thereafter all because he was heading up a Government in exile, though he did little to wait for his rescuers. That de Gaulle was proactive and would not stand idly by helped shape the man who rose to power, for it was in his genes. A fighter to the end whose passion for France was second to none, de Gaulle would not allow anyone or anything stand in his way to return France to its greatness of centuries past. As Cook shows throughout, de Gaulle inherited a country rife with political insurrections and change, wrestling it from its past foibles to set it on track for future glory. Has the de Gaulle legacy withstood the test of time? It is hard to say just yet, though the country does remain a major player in Europe and on the world scene.
As early as the introduction, Cook shows how de Gaulle adopted the phrase French monarchs used for centuries, "L'État c'est moi!". However, de Gaulle did not seek to use it to show that he was the be all and end all of France, but more to show how interwoven he was with the country and its people. That is, perhaps, the true legacy that Cook leaves with the reader. Charles de Gaulle left his blood, sweat and tears in France, giving it his all, as a true military man would do, fighting to the end for the country he loved.
Kudos Mr. Cook for this fabulous biography of a true European powerhouse politician. I have a new respect for the man and hope to explore more of his influence in the years to come.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
To call de Gaulle a life-long militarist would not be an exaggeration on Cook's part. From as early as he could be accepted, de Gaulle entered military training and scholastic endeavours, with the backing of his parents. Receiving much of his training on the cusp of the Great War, de Gaulle served France during some key battles, but was injured and away from fighting for much of the conflict. He was sent away to a prison camp by the Germans and left there to ponder his fate, which he did until his release. Thereafter, his life within the military was secured as he rose the ranks, crossing paths with the likes of Philippe Pétain, who would one day lead the Vichy Government under Nazi occupation. As de Gaulle rose within the military, his passion for his native country grew, as shall be documented below. Becoming a general, de Gaulle readied himself for the Second World War, though he was seemingly emasculated during France's early capture. Working of his own volition, de Gaulle refused to cede to the Vichy Government and its puppet nature, choosing to strive for the Free France movement. That de Gaulle did not seek to plot military strategies is not lost on Cook, though there was a strong push to ensure a powerful military and political force waited to resume power in the vacuum that was post-Vichy France. Cook argues that de Gaulle played that role well and plotted his return more than a military effort to keep the country in order. Even after his triumphant return to France, and in the years of his leading the country as a political head of state, de Gaulle did not flex his muscle and create a military state. As Cook exemplifies, de Gaulle sought the peace and order any military man might expect in times of calm and the ability to strategise in times of crisis. These traits, though somewhat nuanced in the larger picture, show that de Gaulle remained a life-long militarist, whose fight for France did not end when the Nazis were repelled from his homeland.
There is no doubt that de Gaulle loved France or sought to keep it from complete dissolution. Cook depicts the struggles de Gaulle had for years, living in exile in Algeria, while the British and (eventually) Americans fought to push the Nazis back and free France from Hitler's clutches. General de Gaulle remained adamant that he play some role, more political than military, in the Free France movement and became the face of the French Resistance. Cook depicts, in detail, the strain Roosevelt and Churchill were under in dealing with de Gaulle, who was the only 'government in exile' that would not sit back and wait for the removal of the Nazis from their native soils. These struggles left de Gaulle bitter towards Roosevelt and at regular odds with Churchill, but, as we shall discuss momentarily, could have helped secure his place in the European political arena in a post-war world. General de Gaulle sought to ensure France got its piece of the pie and was not given an Allied puppet government to replace the Vichy organisation, though his pushing could at times fall on deaf ears. Even in the early days of France's freedom, de Gaulle sought to rally his people and ensure that they knew he had been with them all along. Radio addresses kept him in contact with the French people and all the colonial inhabitants she possessed, with de Gaulle as its de facto leader. France always came before Europe or even the Allied cause for de Gaulle, as Cook exemplifies in the numerous clashes at the end of the War and into the Cold War period. That de Gaulle would not allow France to fall prey to its allies is also strongly laid out throughout the book. While the Soviet sphere of Europe fell behind the Iron Curtain, de Gaulle would not allow anyone to bully him into standing silently, especially when the integrity of France was at stake. As he pushed to reinstall France's honour in Europe into the 1960s, de Gaulle would not cede anything to diminish France or its importance on the world scene, showing his nationalist colours at every turn.
The leadership qualities that de Gaulle held were honed over a long period, but remained deep rooted. The qualities Cook shows repeatedly include de Gaulle's tenacity to keep France from falling into the hands of its enemies a second time, from being dissolved, and from political neutering at the hands of the Allies. As Cook shows, de Gaulle remained a thorn in the side of the Big Three (Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin) as he advocated for France, but also appeared to be a 'kicked dog', seen but often abused, by others. He sat patiently during the Free French movement, though would not sit idly by. His tours of French colonies and BBC broadcasts, as well as meetings with the Big Three went far to show his leadership abilities and ensconced a strong hold on the country into the 1950s, when he could lead France in a quasi-civilian manner. He never shed his military title, though France was not run by a military government at any point post-1945, which is a true curiosity to the reader. When de Gaulle made a triumphant return to the French presidency, he restructured the constitution into the Fifth Republic and ran as a president with string political powers, keeping the country on track to flex its muscle in the European arena. Blocking Britain's entry into the European Common Market, developing a nuclear program, and insisting on standing toe to toe with some of the world's most influential leaders did dampen de Gaulle's ability to act as a fervent leader of his people. Even in his waning years in power, de Gaulle pushed the envelop and wreaked havoc with two major countries. As Cook depicts in one chapter, de Gaulle's pro-Arab stance froze relations with Israel at one point, though de Gaulle did not stand down or change his views, looking to even the playing field. Additionally, while on a state visit to Canada during the country's centennial, de Gaulle fanned the flames of the separatist movement and called from Montreal's City Hall balcony "Vive le Quebec Libre!" an blatant step to exemplify Quebec's occupied territory status within the larger Canada. And yet, as Cook explores for the rest of the book, he did not apologise, for that was not in the de Gaulle nature. He was a man without fear and one who spoke for his people, which Cook insinuates made him the wonderful leader he was until his retirement.
Would de Gaulle have become so prominent a man had the Nazis not invaded and taken over France? Had he waited for the Allies to liberate the country before pushing for a new and fresh start, could de Gaulle have become the powerful leader that changed the face of France? Cook does not speculate, though the narrative and the detailed analysis of historical documents, as presented in this book, leads me to think not. General Charles de Gaulle left his imprint on France and the world because of his adamant fight to free France from its shackles and used that rallying cry to shapes popularity. He forged a relationship with the Big Three and pushed his way to the table thereafter all because he was heading up a Government in exile, though he did little to wait for his rescuers. That de Gaulle was proactive and would not stand idly by helped shape the man who rose to power, for it was in his genes. A fighter to the end whose passion for France was second to none, de Gaulle would not allow anyone or anything stand in his way to return France to its greatness of centuries past. As Cook shows throughout, de Gaulle inherited a country rife with political insurrections and change, wrestling it from its past foibles to set it on track for future glory. Has the de Gaulle legacy withstood the test of time? It is hard to say just yet, though the country does remain a major player in Europe and on the world scene.
As early as the introduction, Cook shows how de Gaulle adopted the phrase French monarchs used for centuries, "L'État c'est moi!". However, de Gaulle did not seek to use it to show that he was the be all and end all of France, but more to show how interwoven he was with the country and its people. That is, perhaps, the true legacy that Cook leaves with the reader. Charles de Gaulle left his blood, sweat and tears in France, giving it his all, as a true military man would do, fighting to the end for the country he loved.
Kudos Mr. Cook for this fabulous biography of a true European powerhouse politician. I have a new respect for the man and hope to explore more of his influence in the years to come.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
September 7, 2014
VERY slow going. It got really interesting just over half way through. I cannot imagine the amount of research that went into this painstaking writing. It was way too much for a biography, I thought. It dwelt quite a lot on WWII. I did really enjoy learning about the unbelievably childish pride spats with FDR, his relationships with JFK and Lyndon B. Johnson. I also thought his actions regarding the Six Days War were really interesting. Probably most interesting of all to me were his addresses to the people of Quebec and Poland that encouraged them to liberate themselves (Quebec from the Canucks/Brits, Poland from the Soviets). When it got into the student riots in France and the overwhelming increase of uni students in the Western World, I got really interested, but that was at the very end. De Gaulle was a fascinating man, but this book was way too long with way too much detail for me to really enjoy it.
October 6, 2024
I read Audible version which is a digitized antique of such poor sound quality that it is barely listenable.
Through that, an excellent narrative of de Gaulle's life emerges. Fervently nationalist he rallies colonial troops and resources as the core of a Free French fighting force after the fall of France in WW II. Brashly and boldly (even curtly) demanding a seat at the table and equality among the democratic leaders, he emerges as the president of a freed France post-war. Interesting to me, at this time significant Communist political power in the country gave him significant headwinds. After a brief retirement and memoir writing, he returns to clash with Ike to JFK, etc. over nuclear and NATO goals. The Multilateral Force (MLF) was a proposal by the United States in the 1960s to create a NATO nuclear fleet to defend Western Europe from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The MLF was intended to give European NATO members a greater role in nuclear defense and to address the nuclear dilemma that strategists believed would arise after the Eisenhower Administration. De Gaulle's resistance to French forces of any kind under any foreign direction seems to have led to nuclear proliferation (France and the UK became independent nuclear powers) and dashed the idea of a unified European or NATO army.
Through that, an excellent narrative of de Gaulle's life emerges. Fervently nationalist he rallies colonial troops and resources as the core of a Free French fighting force after the fall of France in WW II. Brashly and boldly (even curtly) demanding a seat at the table and equality among the democratic leaders, he emerges as the president of a freed France post-war. Interesting to me, at this time significant Communist political power in the country gave him significant headwinds. After a brief retirement and memoir writing, he returns to clash with Ike to JFK, etc. over nuclear and NATO goals. The Multilateral Force (MLF) was a proposal by the United States in the 1960s to create a NATO nuclear fleet to defend Western Europe from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The MLF was intended to give European NATO members a greater role in nuclear defense and to address the nuclear dilemma that strategists believed would arise after the Eisenhower Administration. De Gaulle's resistance to French forces of any kind under any foreign direction seems to have led to nuclear proliferation (France and the UK became independent nuclear powers) and dashed the idea of a unified European or NATO army.
April 17, 2016
The author does not wait patiently until readers can form an own opinion about the character of the formidable general but instead starts with the proposition that all his subject did was to work towards a position of power for the benefit of his country (according to his own views): a single-minded, nationalist authoritarian with a higher goal in life. Still, somehow the person remains abstract or even vague; if this is reflection on the character of De Gaulle and not a limitation of the author, then it is well done. On the other hand, it may be that too much has happened at an abstract level of military and political history in his life. In the end, the general comes over as humourless, obsessive and uncooperative. His stubbornness seems to have served him and France well but was he just lucky to be at the right place at the right time? Or do people just need a figure like that, despite all their failings, in times of crises?
February 26, 2022
Good overall, and it certainly improved after dry early chapters. De Gaulle is a person I don't really relate to, but this book doesn't really make him a sympathetic or relatable person either. I would think if I were French, I'd see him in a much different light.
Cook's narrative is well researched and thorough. This book is a bit dated, and I suspect updated ideas are out there. I just happened upon this book first and will be curious to encounter those.
The one significant strength of this book is the consistent spotlight on France during World War II. I've learned more about both the Free French and Vichy France from then than anything I've read prior.
Recommended for those that deep dive into French history, World War II, or diplomacy. Probably an easy one to pass up for the casual reader with a bit of curiosity on those subjects as there are more recent and more engaging texts out there.
Cook's narrative is well researched and thorough. This book is a bit dated, and I suspect updated ideas are out there. I just happened upon this book first and will be curious to encounter those.
The one significant strength of this book is the consistent spotlight on France during World War II. I've learned more about both the Free French and Vichy France from then than anything I've read prior.
Recommended for those that deep dive into French history, World War II, or diplomacy. Probably an easy one to pass up for the casual reader with a bit of curiosity on those subjects as there are more recent and more engaging texts out there.
December 4, 2021
All you need to know from this book is that De Gaulle was a Jesuit so as his father and just like Trump, Fauci and the rest of the big puppets on the world stage, he was only following the orders of rome.
May 19, 2019
Fascinating read on CDG's life and how through intransigence and noncooperation he managed to raise during WW2 and later come back to save France from a civil war during the Algerian revolution.
This book taught me a lot about WW2, the French resistance and the tense relationship maintained by CDG with the Americans and the British. Although they were allies in war, they kept a bad
relationship that went through the end of his days.
This book taught me a lot about WW2, the French resistance and the tense relationship maintained by CDG with the Americans and the British. Although they were allies in war, they kept a bad
relationship that went through the end of his days.
April 16, 2018
An excellent introduction to the political life of one of the more interesting characters of the 20th century. I possessed little if any knowledge of De Gaulle before reading this book, so I cannot judge it for accuracy, but it does lend new perspective on the caricature of De Gaulle prevalent in America.
May 11, 2022
Biografía de este presidente de Francia de 1959 a 1969 y cuya principal destreza fue dirigir a la resistencia francesa contra la Alemania Nazi en la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Su reforma a la constitución dio lugar a la Quinta República
May 27, 2014
I enjoyed reading this biography of a man I never knew but whose life had impacted a lot of recent history. Don Cook does a good balancing job of highlighting his strengths and weaknesses. General Charles de Gaulle, by the sheer force of his conviction and courage, came to represent all Frenchmen who would never surrender to the Germans as they took over France and her government in 1940. De Gaulle was the right man at the right time to unite The French Empire and fight for her interests. I was really taken aback by how difficult he made life for Britain and America as he sought tirelessly to preserve the territories and political influence of his homeland. His focus is admirable at the same time as his intransigence is regrettable. But this foreign policy strength was also his weakness as he had no interest in domestic affairs, as shown in the nationwide riots of May 1968. The grievances? Better working conditions and pay, as well as improved access to universities and facilities for the 10x growth of potential students.
The phrase that struck me most was this tragic summary of the end of de Gaulle's years in power: "He couldn't look back on the past with satisfaction, and he couldn't look forward to the future with enthusiasm."
Finally, as others mentioned, it is a bit difficult to get into this book, but I found that once the narrative reached 1914, I was determined to finish this book, if only to know what this unique leader accomplished.
The phrase that struck me most was this tragic summary of the end of de Gaulle's years in power: "He couldn't look back on the past with satisfaction, and he couldn't look forward to the future with enthusiasm."
Finally, as others mentioned, it is a bit difficult to get into this book, but I found that once the narrative reached 1914, I was determined to finish this book, if only to know what this unique leader accomplished.
February 4, 2015
It is not at all difficult to understand the sentiment of "What an asshole!" when the subject of de Gaulle comes up. However, there is a passage in the book where Churchill is advised of some recent exchange regarding de Gaulle that came up prior to D-Day 1944. Churchill sputters for a bit and is on the verge of adding to the conversation with an appropriate negative comment, and is then reported to have said, "... yes, he is a great man." Someone as single-minded as de Gaulle would surely be difficult to deal with, but if you're French, he's likely to be viewed as a hero. There are other historical figures that have similar traits, but I would think it difficult to find one as consistently steadfast in his beliefs as was de Gaulle. Whether history will view him favorably for his nationalistic beliefs in the superiority of Europe in opposition to Anglo-Saxon/America has, I think, yet to play out. I also loved the piece about his entertaining the Russian ambassador who had come to threaten him. De Gaulle finally sends him away with comment about how sad it is that they will both (he and the ambassador) have to die.
November 4, 2016
戴高乐这个人，成也萧何，败也萧何。假如不是那么高傲和刚愎自用，在法国全面溃败背后没有国力支持时，撑不起表面作为独立存在的自由法国，没有他毫无根据的固执，法国作为战后势力的地位会下降很多，虽然独裁，但因此消灭党派之争，在法国恢复国力的时代保持了政府行政管理的稳定连续。可是，因为高傲而完全不认错，一旦真的错了也就错到见了黄河心也不死的地步，一错到底。说是总统，但其实只关注对外关系，对内建设的作用唯有保证政府稳定性从而保证政策连续性，好险对内有一批官僚行政机构，不然也是完蛋，虽然好像创立了某精英官僚学院的样子。
我觉得他跟毛泽东是神交啊……orz
我觉得他跟毛泽东是神交啊……orz
December 16, 2010
Extremely slow but his story is so engaging during the key historic moments of Europe and the world that it keeps you committed to finishing it.
November 11, 2014
Based on a good variety of source material.
Read
January 2, 2015after such book, seems... time to be frozen!!!
splendid reading, another great Son of the world' HISTORY!
why Ukraine still doesn't give the birth for such hero, our land is bleeding in a WAIT!!!
splendid reading, another great Son of the world' HISTORY!
why Ukraine still doesn't give the birth for such hero, our land is bleeding in a WAIT!!!
July 11, 2017
This book was so helpful for learning not just about CDG, but 20th century French political history as well. I loved the vivid accounts of the conversations between CDG and Winston Churchill.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews