A Certain Idea of France : The Life of Charles de Gaulle

A Defining Moment in History

In the early summer of 1940, France was overrun by German troops in just six weeks and quickly surrendered. The government of Marshal Pétain sued for peace and signed an armistice.

Amidst this defeat, a little-known junior French general refused to accept surrender. Charles de Gaulle made his way to England and, on 18 June, addressed his compatriots via the BBC, urging them to rally to him in London:
"Whatever happens, the flame of French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished."

This moment marked de Gaulle's entry into history.

The War Years: A Force of Personality

Throughout the war, de Gaulle:

• Insisted on being treated as the true embodiment of France.
• Quarreled vehemently with Churchill and Roosevelt.
• Displayed a prickly, stubborn, and aloof personality.

Despite limited resources, his sheer force of will ensured France was recognized as one of the victorious Allies, even occupying its own zone in defeated Germany.

A Transformative Presidency

For ten years after 1958, de Gaulle served as President of France's Fifth Republic, a political system he created and which endures to this day. During his presidency, he:

• Challenged American hegemony.
• Withdrew France from NATO.
• Twice vetoed British entry into the European Community.
• Oversaw the controversial decolonization of Algeria, which nearly led to civil war and provoked several assassination attempts.

A Biography Like No Other

Julian Jackson's magnificent biography offers an unparalleled look at this towering figure. Drawing on an extensive array of published and unpublished memoirs and documents—including the recently opened de Gaulle archives—Jackson reveals:

• How de Gaulle achieved so much during the war with astonishingly few resources.
• How, as President, he elevated France to a central role in world affairs.
• The paradoxes of de Gaulle's character, vividly depicted like never before.

De Gaulle remains by far the greatest French leader since Napoleon, and much of French politics since his death has revolved around his enduring legacy.

Winner of Prestigious Awards
This biography has been recognized with numerous accolades, including:

• The Duff Cooper Prize for History
• The Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography
• The American Library in Paris Award
• The Franco-British Society Literary Prize
• The Grand Prix de la Biographie Politique du Touquet

It was also named a Book of the Year by The Sunday Times, The Times, Daily Telegraph, New Statesman, Spectator, Financial Times, and TLS.

Praise for the Book
"Masterly ... awesome reading ... an outstanding biography" – Max Hastings, Sunday Times