THE WAR MEMOIRS OF CHARLES DE GAULLE: Unity 1942-1944

by Charles De Gaulle ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 27, 1959

The first volume of de Gaulle's memoirs, entitled The Call to Honour was published by Viking, and was almost ignored, appearing as it did in 1955 when his fame was at low ebb. This comes when, for the second time, he is viewed as the saviour of France, and takes two dramatic years in his checkered career, the years when- against impossible odds- he was trying to weld France's disparate forces into a semblance of unity. The earlier book- more important now than when first published -- took his years up to the crisis in World War II when De Gaulle was pushed aside in favor of Darlan and Giraud in the North African invasion. This explores in much more minute terms, the whole troubled period when De Gaulle found himself at odds with Churchill and Roosevelt, felt not only ignored but betrayed, and strove with indomitable persistence and courage to hold together those forces he was convinced were at the heart and soul of a France that would not die. It is one man's view, but presented almost dispassionately, at times as if written by someone other than De Gaulle; but the end impression is of intense and controlled passion for one thing- France. Through these pages new views of key figures in those vital years emerge- disillusioning when viewed against the accepted portraits of Churchill, of Roosevelt, and even of Eisenhower, for whom De Gaulle tries frequently to apologize, placing the blame elsewhere. But one can see throughout these pages the qualities in De Gaulle that have made it possible for him to rise again, and again save France, this time from herself. There will be a third volume, we assume, as this ends with the liberation of Paris.

Pub Date: April 27, 1959

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1959

Categories: NONFICTION