A Certain Idea of France

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This biography chronicles the life of one of modern France's most significant statesmen. In the summer of 1940, as German troops overran France, the government of Marshal Pétain sought peace. However, a junior general, refusing to accept defeat, fled to England. On June 18, he addressed his fellow countrymen via the BBC, calling for resistance: "Whatever happens, the flame of French resistance must not be extinguished." Thus, Charles de Gaulle entered history. Throughout the war, he often clashed with Churchill and Roosevelt, demanding recognition as the true embodiment of France. His prickly and stubborn nature did not hinder his ability to secure France's status as a victorious Ally, ensuring it occupied a zone in post-war Germany. From 1958, de Gaulle served as President of France's Fifth Republic, which he established and which endures today. His vision of "a certain idea of France" challenged American dominance, withdrew France from NATO, and twice vetoed British entry into the European Community. His controversial decolonization of Algeria nearly led to civil war and sparked assassination attempts. Julian Jackson's biography draws on a wealth of memoirs and documents, including newly opened archives, to illuminate de Gaulle's remarkable achievements during the War and his impact on global affairs as President. It vividly portrays his paradoxes and explores his enduring legacy in French politics since his death.