In the wake of the defeat of 1940, the French were compelled to come to terms with their country's national decline and to accept the need for fundamental change. The great debate over the reasons for France's defeat and the sources of its future renewal was one of the most distinctive features of these critical years. Here Shennan examines the contributions that each of the major political forces made to the debate and looks at each of its major themes. His reconstruction of the mental universe of French politicians and reformers during the 1940s casts light both on the period itself and on...

If any modern democratic leader has believed in the "great man'' theory of history and acted self-consciously in accordance with it, it was surely de Gaulle. On both occasions when he came to power it was in his own right, as a providential figure'', not as the representative of a political or social movement. In office, his wielding of power was, by modern standards, remarkably personal; and his impact on France, and on Europe, was immense. He is a natural subject for Profiles in Power.

Part of the "Profiles in Power" series, this text examines the life and achievements of Charles de Gaulle. The text concentrates primarily on de Gaulle's political involvement and aims to present a critical interpretation of his political career in its various dimensions and phases.

First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.