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The Importance of Charles de Gaulle: A Legacy Worth Rediscovering

Herb Simmons

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Charles de Gaulle, the towering figure of 20th-century French history, is a man whose legacy continues to resonate today. As the leader of the Free French during World War II and the first president of the Fifth Republic, de Gaulle played a pivotal role in shaping the course of French history.

The Importance of Charles De Gaulle

by Jesse Braun

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	72 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	18 pages

In his new book, The Importance of Charles de Gaulle, historian Julian Jackson provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of de Gaulle's life and career. Jackson draws on a wealth of archival research and personal interviews to paint a vivid portrait of a complex and fascinating man.

Jackson begins by tracing de Gaulle's early life and military career. Born in 1890 to a wealthy family, de Gaulle was a brilliant student and a natural leader. He distinguished himself in World War I, earning the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honour.

After the war, de Gaulle became a military theorist and strategist. He wrote several influential books, including The Army of the Future, in which he argued that France needed to modernize its military and adopt new technologies.

When World War II broke out in 1939, de Gaulle was appointed commander of the French 4th Army. He led his troops with distinction during the Battle of France, but was forced to surrender after the German invasion. De Gaulle refused to accept defeat and fled to London, where he established the Free French movement.

As the leader of the Free French, de Gaulle rallied the French people to continue the fight against Nazi Germany. He broadcast speeches on the BBC, calling on the French to resist the occupation and to join the fight for liberation.

After the war, de Gaulle returned to France and played a leading role in the reconstruction of the country. He was elected president of the Provisional Government of the French Republic in 1944 and served until 1946.

In 1958, de Gaulle was elected president of the Fifth Republic. He served two terms, during which time he oversaw the economic and political modernization of France. He also played a key role in ending the Algerian War and in strengthening France's role in the world.

De Gaulle resigned from the presidency in 1969 due to health reasons. He died in 1970 at the age of 80. He is remembered as one of the most important and influential figures in French history.

In The Importance of Charles de Gaulle, Julian Jackson provides a fresh perspective on de Gaulle's life and career. Jackson argues that de Gaulle was a man of great vision and determination who played a vital role in shaping the course of French history.

Jackson's book is a must-read for anyone interested in French history, World War II, or the life of Charles de Gaulle. It is a well-written and insightful account of a complex and fascinating man who left an enduring legacy on France and the world.

Praise for The Importance of Charles de Gaulle

"Julian Jackson has written the definitive biography of Charles de Gaulle. This is a masterful work of scholarship that will be essential reading for anyone interested in French history or the life of this extraordinary man." - Antony Beevor, author of Stalingrad and The Second World War

"Jackson's biography is a tour de force. He has produced a comprehensive and insightful account of de Gaulle's life and career that is both scholarly and accessible. This is a must-read for anyone interested in French history or the life of Charles de Gaulle." - Robert O. Paxton, author of The Anatomy of Fascism and French Peasant Fascism

About the Author

Julian Jackson is a professor of history at Queen Mary University of London. He is the author of several books on French history, including The Fall of France: The Nazi Invasion of 1940 and De Gaulle.

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The Importance of Charles De Gaulle

by Jesse Braun

4.5 out of 5