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The Last Great Frenchman: A Life of General De Gaulle
"I am France, " General Charles de Gaulle announced when he formed the Free French in 1941. It was no idle boast. Following France's rapid capitulation to Nazi forces, de Gaulle alone stood for a France undefeated and still fighting. Through sheer force of will, he made himself heard, rescuing French dignity and insuring that at the end of World War II France would be among the victorious armies, her status as a world power recognized. It was an immense achievement, one that only a man of de Gaulle's raw nerve, stubbornness, arrogance, and messianic conviction could have accomplished.
Charles Williams (Lord Williams of Elvel) is a retired business executive and Labour peer in the House of Lords. His biography of French Marshal Petain, entitled Petain won the 2006 Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography. Lord Williams played first-class cricket in the fifties for Oxford University, Essex and the Combined Services cricket team.
Charles Williams (Lord Williams of Elvel) is a retired business executive and Labour peer in the House of Lords. His biography of French Marshal Petain, entitled Petain won the 2006 Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography. Lord Williams played first-class cricket in the fifties for Oxford University, Essex and the Combined Services cricket team.
576 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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About the author
Charles Williams
7 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Charles Williams
Charles Cuthbert Powell Williams, Baron Williams of Elvel CBE was a manager and Labour peer. In his 20s he played first-class cricket while at university and for several seasons afterwards.
The son of N. P. Williams and Muriel de Lérisson Cazenove, he was educated at Westminster School and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in literae humaniores in 1955 and a Master of Arts. Williams was further educated at the London School of Economics, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1964. Between 1955 and 1957, he served as Subaltern in the Headquarter of the King's Royal Rifle Corps in Winchester and in the 1st Battalion in Derna in Libya.
Please see: Charles Williams
Charles Cuthbert Powell Williams, Baron Williams of Elvel CBE was a manager and Labour peer. In his 20s he played first-class cricket while at university and for several seasons afterwards.
The son of N. P. Williams and Muriel de Lérisson Cazenove, he was educated at Westminster School and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in literae humaniores in 1955 and a Master of Arts. Williams was further educated at the London School of Economics, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1964. Between 1955 and 1957, he served as Subaltern in the Headquarter of the King's Royal Rifle Corps in Winchester and in the 1st Battalion in Derna in Libya.
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November 7, 2024
Lord Williams made a convincing case that Charles de Gaulle may indeed have been the last great Frenchman. De Gaulle was a key figure in France and upon the world stage for thirty years. In two crucial situations -- in 1944 with the reestablishment of republican rule and the frustration of the Communists and 1958 in creating the Fifth Republic and laying the groundwork for healing the festering wound of Algeria -- the French people found him to be the indispensable man. His leadership and perspicacity served the country well. De Gaulle's commanding presence, however, was accompanied by a difficult personality. Not only did British, Canadians, Americans, and Russians find him prickly, domineering, demanding, slippery, and proud, so did many French.
Williams explained de Gaulle and his attitudes by evaluating his upbringing. He was raised in a home steeped in the 19th century French bourgeois values of stern Catholicism, monarchism, and strict social mores. From that background he derived a vision of the nation's greatness with the special place of France in the world taken for granted. Considerations of post-World War II economic, military, political, or cultural realities were irrelevant. In his view, France was a great power no matter her true situation at any particular moment in history. De Gaulle was devoted to France. He cared for his country above all except his family. His words and actions from 1940 until his death were always directed toward advancing the interests of France -- but only as he saw those interests. He was among those most galling of men -- one convinced that his views, and his alone, were always right..
With The Last Great Frenchman Lord Williams fashioned a complete and readable biography. He didn't lapse into hagiography or sink to blackening de Gaulle's reputation. His approach was balanced, devoting full attention to the General's many strengths and not ignoring his glaring weaknesses. Williams used sources in French and English and relied heavily on de Gaulle's published works and his 35,000 extant letters. Key figures sat for interviews with the author on subjects with which they possessed particular knowledge. Lord Williams earned a strong Four Stars from me. Readers with an interest in French history or World War II would gain from reading The Last Great Frenchman.
Williams explained de Gaulle and his attitudes by evaluating his upbringing. He was raised in a home steeped in the 19th century French bourgeois values of stern Catholicism, monarchism, and strict social mores. From that background he derived a vision of the nation's greatness with the special place of France in the world taken for granted. Considerations of post-World War II economic, military, political, or cultural realities were irrelevant. In his view, France was a great power no matter her true situation at any particular moment in history. De Gaulle was devoted to France. He cared for his country above all except his family. His words and actions from 1940 until his death were always directed toward advancing the interests of France -- but only as he saw those interests. He was among those most galling of men -- one convinced that his views, and his alone, were always right..
With The Last Great Frenchman Lord Williams fashioned a complete and readable biography. He didn't lapse into hagiography or sink to blackening de Gaulle's reputation. His approach was balanced, devoting full attention to the General's many strengths and not ignoring his glaring weaknesses. Williams used sources in French and English and relied heavily on de Gaulle's published works and his 35,000 extant letters. Key figures sat for interviews with the author on subjects with which they possessed particular knowledge. Lord Williams earned a strong Four Stars from me. Readers with an interest in French history or World War II would gain from reading The Last Great Frenchman.
October 12, 2018
Charles De Gaulle is one of those - to put it mildly - enigmatic historical figures of the 20th Century. Although not a central figure in world politics - an observation which probably has him rolling in his grave - De Gaulle inserted himself by the sheer force of his personality - usually by being "obstinate", (or a royal pain in the butt, take your pick) - into some of the critical crises of his time, i.e. World War II and the Cold War. And although in my readings De Gaulle has been a supporting character - this is my first De Gaulle biography and The Last Great Frenchman is an excellent read.
De Gaulle was first and foremost a soldier, known as "the General", although he didn't see much time on the battlefield. He was wounded twice in World War I and then captured by the Germans in 1915, spending the rest of the war as a POW. Against the Nazis he fought briefly in mid-May before escaping to England, where he declared himself leader of the Free French. This chapter in his life the one most of us are familiar with; De Gaulle "leading" his country with words and not much else.
After the liberation of France in 1944, he served briefly as the Provisional Leader of his country, (August 1944 - January 1946), and after resigning spent over a dozen years in "the wilderness". In 1959, during the French/Algerian crisis, he assumed the premiership - A story in and of itself and chronicled extremely well here - and stayed there until 1969, when he resigned once again.
During the mid-20th Century, De Gaulle was inseparable or at least synonymous with France - An identity that "the General" not only didn't attempt to correct, but actively fostered. Claiming he was acting in his country's best interest, De Gaulle had an uncanny ability to not only anger and frustrate people, but with his arrogant and petulant behavior, consistently and almost universally alienated himself from those around him - many of whom who were trying to help him. De Gaulle personified/epitomized the stereotype of the aloof, haughty and condescending "Frenchman". FDR loathed him and De Gaulle's track record with subsequent US Presidents was not much better, (except for Nixon). Churchill grudgingly respected him, but found many of De Gaulle's antics incomprehensible. Even many of his fellow French found De Gaulle beyond the pale.
All of this and much more is covered in The Last Great Frenchman. This is an engaging book and the author does an excellent job in chronicling De Gaulle's life and times, without judging or defending his subject. For De Gaulle lived an interesting, exciting and very controversial life - I'll leave it up to the individual reader to decide whether it was a great one.
De Gaulle was first and foremost a soldier, known as "the General", although he didn't see much time on the battlefield. He was wounded twice in World War I and then captured by the Germans in 1915, spending the rest of the war as a POW. Against the Nazis he fought briefly in mid-May before escaping to England, where he declared himself leader of the Free French. This chapter in his life the one most of us are familiar with; De Gaulle "leading" his country with words and not much else.
After the liberation of France in 1944, he served briefly as the Provisional Leader of his country, (August 1944 - January 1946), and after resigning spent over a dozen years in "the wilderness". In 1959, during the French/Algerian crisis, he assumed the premiership - A story in and of itself and chronicled extremely well here - and stayed there until 1969, when he resigned once again.
During the mid-20th Century, De Gaulle was inseparable or at least synonymous with France - An identity that "the General" not only didn't attempt to correct, but actively fostered. Claiming he was acting in his country's best interest, De Gaulle had an uncanny ability to not only anger and frustrate people, but with his arrogant and petulant behavior, consistently and almost universally alienated himself from those around him - many of whom who were trying to help him. De Gaulle personified/epitomized the stereotype of the aloof, haughty and condescending "Frenchman". FDR loathed him and De Gaulle's track record with subsequent US Presidents was not much better, (except for Nixon). Churchill grudgingly respected him, but found many of De Gaulle's antics incomprehensible. Even many of his fellow French found De Gaulle beyond the pale.
All of this and much more is covered in The Last Great Frenchman. This is an engaging book and the author does an excellent job in chronicling De Gaulle's life and times, without judging or defending his subject. For De Gaulle lived an interesting, exciting and very controversial life - I'll leave it up to the individual reader to decide whether it was a great one.
January 16, 2014
I was reminded of this book just now by Mikey B.'s excellent review.
This is a super biography and De Gaulle was discussed on France Inter here in France this morning. They were talking about his wife Yvonne and how she proved to be the right wife for him. It brings to mind the reports we are hearing in the media on our current "tortoise" of a president Hollande who besides being an individual is unfaithful. A public figure has to be beyond reproach.
Who on earth would want to be with Hollande I ask myself.
Some of De Gaulle's views I do indeed question, especially Algeria but then that is all open to interpretation.
This nevertheless is a book to be read and I highly recommend it.
This is a super biography and De Gaulle was discussed on France Inter here in France this morning. They were talking about his wife Yvonne and how she proved to be the right wife for him. It brings to mind the reports we are hearing in the media on our current "tortoise" of a president Hollande who besides being an individual is unfaithful. A public figure has to be beyond reproach.
Who on earth would want to be with Hollande I ask myself.
Some of De Gaulle's views I do indeed question, especially Algeria but then that is all open to interpretation.
This nevertheless is a book to be read and I highly recommend it.
February 17, 2013
Great and Obstinate figure of History
Truly a great figure of the 20th century. As the author points out, de Gaulle would have been a minor footnote in French history if he had died before 1940. At the age of 50 he stepped unto English soil after leaving France where he had been condemned to death for refusing to go along with the French government in signing the armistice with Germany. His strength and moral courage brought France out of the abyss of collaboration with the Germans, to (once again) be a player on the world stage.
De Gaulle is accurately portrayed by Williams as an uncompromising man. He skillfully out-maneuvered his rival Giraud in Algeria during the war, to place himself as the sole leader of Fighting France.
De Gaulle was to share power with no man. The constant quarrels with Churchill would be humorous if there was not a war to be won. And as Williams states; war, for De Gaulle, was against Britain and the U.S.
De Gaulle's single-minded vision was to return France to a position of power at the conclusion of the war. If that meant irritating Roosevelt and Churchill more than Hitler - so be it. Probably De Gaulle's biggest miscalculation, as Williams' points out, was with Roosevelt. De Gaulle never comprehended the man or the nation. De Gaulle had a European view of the world and did not have Churchill's grasp of everything that the U.S. had to offer for the liberation of Europe. Roosevelt was reluctant to fight for the British empire and was therefore much less interested in preserving France's external holdings and viewed De Gaulle as a brash upstart with truthfully little to offer in terms of military strength.
Ironically, De Gaulle himself came to see the anti-colonial point of view in the early 60's when Algeria was granted autonomy with the blessing of European France.
Williams' illustrates on several occasions how De Gaulle's sheer strength of personality and his ability to irritate most anyone on any occasion, including his fellow countrymen, makes for a great historical biography of an extraordinary individualist.
Truly a great figure of the 20th century. As the author points out, de Gaulle would have been a minor footnote in French history if he had died before 1940. At the age of 50 he stepped unto English soil after leaving France where he had been condemned to death for refusing to go along with the French government in signing the armistice with Germany. His strength and moral courage brought France out of the abyss of collaboration with the Germans, to (once again) be a player on the world stage.
De Gaulle is accurately portrayed by Williams as an uncompromising man. He skillfully out-maneuvered his rival Giraud in Algeria during the war, to place himself as the sole leader of Fighting France.
De Gaulle was to share power with no man. The constant quarrels with Churchill would be humorous if there was not a war to be won. And as Williams states; war, for De Gaulle, was against Britain and the U.S.
De Gaulle's single-minded vision was to return France to a position of power at the conclusion of the war. If that meant irritating Roosevelt and Churchill more than Hitler - so be it. Probably De Gaulle's biggest miscalculation, as Williams' points out, was with Roosevelt. De Gaulle never comprehended the man or the nation. De Gaulle had a European view of the world and did not have Churchill's grasp of everything that the U.S. had to offer for the liberation of Europe. Roosevelt was reluctant to fight for the British empire and was therefore much less interested in preserving France's external holdings and viewed De Gaulle as a brash upstart with truthfully little to offer in terms of military strength.
Ironically, De Gaulle himself came to see the anti-colonial point of view in the early 60's when Algeria was granted autonomy with the blessing of European France.
Williams' illustrates on several occasions how De Gaulle's sheer strength of personality and his ability to irritate most anyone on any occasion, including his fellow countrymen, makes for a great historical biography of an extraordinary individualist.
November 7, 2025
Such a sad tale about a man who sold his country out in exchange for some vague sense of power.
February 2, 2013
I learned a lot by reading this biography about DeGaulle and about France. De Gaulle was obstinate and imperious with a sense of destiny and and honor. He never wavered from his conviction that France was a great country and that he was the savior of his country. He saved France twice; once in June of 1940 when he refused to accept defeat at the hands of the Germans and he rallied the free French movement. He led the country briefly in 1946 but refused to enter the fray of palaimentry politics which he blamed for weakening the country and prevented any real leadership. He stepped down vowing not to return to politics unless and until the French adopted a strong executive system with a President elected to a seven year term with broad powers. He remained in self imposed exile while the fourth republic was beset by the inability to respond to the challenges of the dissolution of empire and the creation of a modern state integrated with the rest of Europe. The French lost a war in info-china, suffering greater losses than the US would in it's Vietnam Nam reprise. But it was the insurrection in Algeria which pushed France close to civil war. There were one million Europeans in Algeria but this accounted for only ten per cent of the population. De Gaulle recognized that victory was unattainable and he managed to negotiate an end to the war despite fierce opposition from the OAS, a secret organization composed largely of French military men who vowed to resist and attempted to assassinate De Gaulle repeatedly. DeGaulle was an autocrat who could have led a military takeover of the state in 1946 and in 1958 but instead he declined and created modern France. De Gaulle was a difficult man and he could not have been good company. I would welcome spending an evening with Roosevelt or Churchill but De Gaulle would be excruciating company. The French have a very high opinion of themselves and their culture. But no one could hold a candle to mon General in this regard.
August 28, 2024
A comprehensive but very readable biography of Charles de Gaulle—possibly already forgotten by those born after 1965, but a paradigmatic 20th century figure (I am not sure I would use the word “statesman”). De Gaulle was convinced he knew best what France needed, and that France was a great nation that deserved its seat at whatever table was going on—even (as was generally the case) when France had to borrow someone else’s chair to sit at the table.
How de Gaulle—certainly not born into power or riches, nor later having the resources or assets the more powerful countries of the world had—was able to arrogate to himself the de facto king-ship of France and to France the participation in a host of fora well beyond its significance in objective terms—at least for the second half of WWII and for a decade of power as France’s President (and founder of the Fifth Republic style of government) is fascinating, because to a large extent unlikely.
Williams does his best to be sympathetic, but even he must from time to time remark on the sheer chutzpah demonstrated by de Gaulle as he insulted his friends and enemies alike in his repeated assertions and tantrums that France was a great nation and that he was, in effect, France.
De Gaulle’s machinations to escape being a disciple of Petain and to form the “Free French” against a Vichy France which the US and the British were content to leave alone as long as it remained out of the war, is compelling. But for me the best part of the book is de Gaulle’s decade in power as President of the 1958-1969. De Gaulle was brought in to be France’s strong man at a time when internal civil war loomed over Algeria, and Germany’s economic resurgence began to cast France into the role of “sick man.” But as France's economy (thanks to a devaluation) began to click in the early 1960's and its citizens began too enjoy some wealth, de Gaulle seemed to become bored with domestic issues and began a series of “unique” foreign adventures, including becoming an independent pillar within NATO, trying to plot a “middle path” between the US/UK and Russia, trying to split Germany off from the US/UK to be the supporting player in a France-centered EEC, and ultimately his mechante provocations in Quebec appearing to urge a separate and “free” state there.
However, while de Gaulle was provoking and promoting, the world around de Gaulle changed. The student riots led by Daniel Cohn-Bendit and the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia undermined de Gaulle, and ultimately provoked him into a series of missteps, and de Gaulle overplayed his weakening hand. In the end, no one believed de Gaulle any more—the USA had written him off as a chauvinistic anachronism, and de Gaulle’s efforts to force the UK and Germany (and the rest of the EEC) to choose France over the USA led to the inevitable—they all chose for the USA.
While following the General throughout his fascinating and flawed life, the book also sheds some sympathetic light on his wife, Yvonne, and their children—having to put up with this man for their lives must not have been easy. The book fills in a number of blanks in my understanding of European and world history from 1930-1970, and is well worth reading for those interested in the "French" view of those decades.
How de Gaulle—certainly not born into power or riches, nor later having the resources or assets the more powerful countries of the world had—was able to arrogate to himself the de facto king-ship of France and to France the participation in a host of fora well beyond its significance in objective terms—at least for the second half of WWII and for a decade of power as France’s President (and founder of the Fifth Republic style of government) is fascinating, because to a large extent unlikely.
Williams does his best to be sympathetic, but even he must from time to time remark on the sheer chutzpah demonstrated by de Gaulle as he insulted his friends and enemies alike in his repeated assertions and tantrums that France was a great nation and that he was, in effect, France.
De Gaulle’s machinations to escape being a disciple of Petain and to form the “Free French” against a Vichy France which the US and the British were content to leave alone as long as it remained out of the war, is compelling. But for me the best part of the book is de Gaulle’s decade in power as President of the 1958-1969. De Gaulle was brought in to be France’s strong man at a time when internal civil war loomed over Algeria, and Germany’s economic resurgence began to cast France into the role of “sick man.” But as France's economy (thanks to a devaluation) began to click in the early 1960's and its citizens began too enjoy some wealth, de Gaulle seemed to become bored with domestic issues and began a series of “unique” foreign adventures, including becoming an independent pillar within NATO, trying to plot a “middle path” between the US/UK and Russia, trying to split Germany off from the US/UK to be the supporting player in a France-centered EEC, and ultimately his mechante provocations in Quebec appearing to urge a separate and “free” state there.
However, while de Gaulle was provoking and promoting, the world around de Gaulle changed. The student riots led by Daniel Cohn-Bendit and the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia undermined de Gaulle, and ultimately provoked him into a series of missteps, and de Gaulle overplayed his weakening hand. In the end, no one believed de Gaulle any more—the USA had written him off as a chauvinistic anachronism, and de Gaulle’s efforts to force the UK and Germany (and the rest of the EEC) to choose France over the USA led to the inevitable—they all chose for the USA.
While following the General throughout his fascinating and flawed life, the book also sheds some sympathetic light on his wife, Yvonne, and their children—having to put up with this man for their lives must not have been easy. The book fills in a number of blanks in my understanding of European and world history from 1930-1970, and is well worth reading for those interested in the "French" view of those decades.
September 29, 2019
I realized that what I knew about DeGaulle could have fitted into one paragraph or so. And it was little more than this: ‘Junior officer who fled to the UK after France signed an armistice with Germany and declared himself ‘leader’ of the ‘Free French’. Had no authority, no following, little battlefield experience, even less political competence. Yet arrogantly said he ‘was France’, and proceeded to provide little more to the war effort except to make things difficult for Churchill and the allies. Was loathed by Eisenhower and Roosevelt, and barely tolerated by Churchill’. And that was the extent of it.
So, I learned a lot by reading this biography about DeGaulle and about France. US semi support of the Vichy during most of the war, what the ‘free French’ actually contributed to the war effort (mixed), the Algerian insurrection, Russian overtures, assassination attempts, his family life, his coldness, his ruthlessness, among other trivia.
De Gaulle remained what I thought he was though - obstinate, arrogant, and possibly even treasonous on more than one occasion. He never once thought he wasn’t ‘France’ personified, or its savior. So basically my quick, and probably gauche impression was not changed much. He seemed to be always a difficult man with an inflated opinion of himself AND his country.
But the book is excellent, well written, and held my attention throughout its entirety. And since I don’t know much about France from 1970 to the present regarding their notable ‘great’ figures (other than Zidane), then I guess he could still be called the ‘Last Great Frenchman’.
So, I learned a lot by reading this biography about DeGaulle and about France. US semi support of the Vichy during most of the war, what the ‘free French’ actually contributed to the war effort (mixed), the Algerian insurrection, Russian overtures, assassination attempts, his family life, his coldness, his ruthlessness, among other trivia.
De Gaulle remained what I thought he was though - obstinate, arrogant, and possibly even treasonous on more than one occasion. He never once thought he wasn’t ‘France’ personified, or its savior. So basically my quick, and probably gauche impression was not changed much. He seemed to be always a difficult man with an inflated opinion of himself AND his country.
But the book is excellent, well written, and held my attention throughout its entirety. And since I don’t know much about France from 1970 to the present regarding their notable ‘great’ figures (other than Zidane), then I guess he could still be called the ‘Last Great Frenchman’.
January 14, 2022
I didn't realize how unfamiliar I was with the history of France in the last 1oo years. This type of autobiography is not my favorite, but nonetheless, I learned all about the "Last Great Frenchman" and the power dynamics of the Allies, Free France, and Winston Churchill during World War 2. Can't complain about that.
March 7, 2018
Un bon livre sur un leader géant et un leader mondial .. Un livre fascinant traite d'une période de séparation historique dans le développement de l'humanité et les obstacles qui ont confronté la France et les alliés pour vaincre le nazisme et le fascisme
May 25, 2019
A well balanced account of one of histories most enigmatic individuals. If you have even a passing interest in European history, then reading the life of the "General" is a must read. The writing is excellent, the flow through time is well done and easy to follow.
July 9, 2025
Good book - did have to take a break and come back to it though. The General is certainly a great, his actions in WW2 show that. But I am not certain he is a good as his extreme nationalism and authoritarian tendencies are deep flaws.
September 3, 2017
A solid and readable biography of de Gaulle. I found particularly interesting the material on his antipathy to "the Anglo-Saxons" and his complicated relationship with Petain. Worth reading.
July 18, 2010
This was more a political biography than an intimate one. I didn't feel I really got to know De Gaulle as an individual but I did learn a lot about his role(s) in the world he lived in. What I found most fascinating were the behind-the-scenes looks at the bickering and negotiating that went on between Free France, Britain and the United States. I hadn't realized that the Allies had tried to work with Vichy France, according to Williams, in order to keep them out of the war. But they ended in preventing De Gaulle and his allies from recruiting members of the French military to defect to Free France, bringing their ships, planes, etc., with them. Would there have been a Free France without De Gaulle? After reading Williams' book, that is the question that sticks with me. There were French defectors, resistance fighters, etc. in and outside of France but De Gaulle's triumph was in forming them into a coherent whole that could be recognized by the French and by other countries as a country in exile until the Germans could be removed from French soil.
December 11, 2009
A good one volume overview of the life of General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French during World War 2 and creator of the French 5th Republic.
The writer pays attention to both the political and the personal life of the General and we end up getting a good feel of the complex character of De Gaulle. Whether De Gaulle is in fact the Last Great Frenchman is of course open to debate and one's own political persuasion. What becomes clear from this biography is the strong conviction and towering personality of the man.
I must note that I would have given this book a four star rating were it not for the unnecessary comments of the writer about the Catholic background of the General and his Jesuit schooling. These comments serve more to reflect an anti-Catholic bias of the writer rather than to clarify the General's actions.
The writer pays attention to both the political and the personal life of the General and we end up getting a good feel of the complex character of De Gaulle. Whether De Gaulle is in fact the Last Great Frenchman is of course open to debate and one's own political persuasion. What becomes clear from this biography is the strong conviction and towering personality of the man.
I must note that I would have given this book a four star rating were it not for the unnecessary comments of the writer about the Catholic background of the General and his Jesuit schooling. These comments serve more to reflect an anti-Catholic bias of the writer rather than to clarify the General's actions.
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September 28, 2015If you want political history, here's where you can go for it. Williams' study of Charles de Gaulle is a little old, but the best one out there. Did you know he was six foot five? Or that his daughter had Down's syndrome, and he set up a charity for her? Williams does a good job with the political history of de Gaulle's life, but he doesn't forget about the man himself. Not an easy task, when he's more or less been lost to legend.
February 26, 2015
Well written and easily holding my attention from de Gaulle's early life through the end of WW2, this falls off sharply in the account of post-war de Gaulle. It becomes sloppy and choppy, and a bit of a slog to get through.
January 5, 2020
Excellent and even handed biography of a man who was caustic and arrogant, yet an inspiring leader who, through the force of his own personality brought his country through some of the major crises to face France in the last century.
August 4, 2022
A well done biography on the life of a truly unique individual during some of the most tumultuous times in France’s history. More colorful and compelling than a textbook, but with a depth of detail on historical events and character personalities.
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May 9, 2019excellent
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews