The War Memoirs

By: Charles de Gaulle

Narrated by: Raphael Corkhill

The complete war memoirs of the resistance leader Charles de Gaulle, who led France out of its darkest hour during the Nazi occupation during World War II.

“Faced with the political disaster, I had to become France.” This was how Charles de Gaulle answered the call of history. One of the few French battlefield leaders to have distinguished himself in May 1940, he had become the undersecretary of state for national defense. But when the government rejected his calls to fight on and prepared to capitulate to Hitler, he escaped to London. There he instigated a resistance calling on “all the French who want to remain free to listen to me and follow me” in the legendary radio address of June 22. He was sentenced to death in absentia as his country made a disgraceful peace, but his Free France movement rallied people around the world to resist German occupation and fight for the liberation of Europe.

Originally published in three volumes, The War Memoirs of Charles de Gaulle is the story of the resurrection of France from its darkest hour collaborating with Hitler and the Nazi empire. The first section, “The Call,” examines the years leading up to France’s defeat and the confusion and despair triggered by Hitler’s blitzkrieg. The second section, “Unity,” describes de Gaulle’s struggles to rally the French in both Africa and underground movements throughout Europe, and often bitter conflicts with the Allied leaders as he sought legitimacy and resources. “Salvation,” the final installment, chronicles the turning of the tide of war against Nazi Germany, de Gaulle’s triumphant return to France, and the reincarnation of the French Republic as a major international presence. De Gaulle’s great prophecy of 1940 had been fulfilled: France had lost a battle, but she did not lose the war.

Breathless Egomania

The narrator is very difficult to understand much of the time, combining a soft delivery and “breathless” enunciation as if whispering in his lover’s ear. Why?

DeGaulle’s opinion of himself and France’s place in the world was that of an ego maniac, perhaps good for France 🇫🇷, but of questionable value to the Allies. And in his own inflated words. Wow!

So Good

I read Julian Jackson's biography of De Gaulle years ago and always wanted to read the General's memoirs, which I had heard were excellently written. That is certainly true. De Gaulle is a first-class writer. This is a great translation and Raphael Corkhill does a great job bringing De Gaulle to life - sarcasm and all. I know everyone gets on De Gaulle for being an egoist, and that certainly comes through in this book, but it is part of his charm, and I felt that he dealt with the historical figures he encountered mostly fairly all things considered. His journey from landing in London with basically nothing in June 1940 to becoming the greatest Frenchman of the era is an astounding and entertaining one, even when you make allowances for potential exaggerations. I highly recommend this book.