Jonathan Fenby The General

Provides insight into the life and personality of the great French general Highlights the relationship between Charles de Gaulle and the France he fought so hard to save Balances the general's private and public lives Few modern leaders anywhere in the world fought as fiercely for their nation as Charles de Gaulle. When he was just in his twenties, he fought for France in the depths of the trenches and at the battle of Verdun. In the 1930s, he fought alone to better equip France to resist the reign of Hitler. He interacted with England and Winston Churchill to save his beloved France. Afterwards, he saved France from defeat and destruction by fantastic shows of leadership, political prowess, bravery, and bluff. He prevented civil war and left behind a heritage that benefitted all leaders who came after him. While it might be easy to write him off as someone who was always staid and consistent, "Le General" was complicated. He had deep personal feelings and consistent mood swings. He cared deeply for his family and often sought reassurance from the people around him. This biography highlights both the general that de Gaulle presented to the world and his more private side. It tells the story of a complicated man in a way that grips the reader.