3
0
Support the library.
Your support helps keep books free for everyone ❤️
📍 Noticed
The Last Titans: How Churchill and de Gaulle Saved Their Nations and Transformed the World
by Richard Vinen
Sponsored
Synopsis
A compelling dual biography of Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle that shines new light on two of the greatest figures of the 20th century.Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle were thrown together by war. They incarnated the resistance of Britain and France to the existential ...
A compelling dual biography of Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle that shines new light on two of the greatest figures of the 20th century.
Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle were thrown together by war. They incarnated the resistance of Britain and France to the existential threat from Nazi Germany, and their ultimate victory over Hitler has ensured their achievements will never be forgotten. But, as The Last Titans shows, that is only a part of a complex story. Both men influenced their countries, and the world around them, long after the war was won.
There was a paradox in the parallel and intertwined lives of these extraordinary men. De Gaulle—tall, gauche, and incorruptible—exhibited qualities often associated with the English. Churchill—short, charming, witty, and a bon vivant—resembled the quintessential politician of the French Third Republic. Their working relationship was rarely smooth, but they appreciated each other’s stature: de Gaulle said Churchill was “the great artist of a great history,” while Churchill recognized de Gaulle as “l'homme du destin.”
Richard Vinen explores what made these men exceptional and how profoundly they were influenced by their national cultures. Beyond personal intrigue, Vinen makes a wider point that Britain and France are both haunted by perceptions of past greatness. He retraces the paths of two leaders who once helmed superpowers but lived to see their nations weakened by two world wars and the loss of empires.
Written with extraordinary narrative verve, The Last Titans offers a fresh exploration into the lives of de Gaulle and Churchill. By bringing their two stories into one, each man is seen anew and we gain fresh insights into their achievements and their legacy today.
Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle were thrown together by war. They incarnated the resistance of Britain and France to the existential threat from Nazi Germany, and their ultimate victory over Hitler has ensured their achievements will never be forgotten. But, as The Last Titans shows, that is only a part of a complex story. Both men influenced their countries, and the world around them, long after the war was won.
There was a paradox in the parallel and intertwined lives of these extraordinary men. De Gaulle—tall, gauche, and incorruptible—exhibited qualities often associated with the English. Churchill—short, charming, witty, and a bon vivant—resembled the quintessential politician of the French Third Republic. Their working relationship was rarely smooth, but they appreciated each other’s stature: de Gaulle said Churchill was “the great artist of a great history,” while Churchill recognized de Gaulle as “l'homme du destin.”
Richard Vinen explores what made these men exceptional and how profoundly they were influenced by their national cultures. Beyond personal intrigue, Vinen makes a wider point that Britain and France are both haunted by perceptions of past greatness. He retraces the paths of two leaders who once helmed superpowers but lived to see their nations weakened by two world wars and the loss of empires.
Written with extraordinary narrative verve, The Last Titans offers a fresh exploration into the lives of de Gaulle and Churchill. By bringing their two stories into one, each man is seen anew and we gain fresh insights into their achievements and their legacy today.
You May Also Like
All Hail Chaos (Time of Iron, #2)
Sarah Rees Brennan
Let's Explore the Solar System (Planets): Planets Book for Kids (Children's Astronomy & Space Books)
Baby Professor
Immortality, Inc.
Robert Sheckley
A Social History of Knowledge, Volume 1: From Gutenberg to Diderot
Peter Burke
The Ballad of Never After
Stephanie Garber
And Dangerous to Know
Darcie Wilde
Psychology Picks
View All
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
David Brooks
ADHD is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD
Penn Holderness
Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present
Nick Trenton
How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question
Michael Schur
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself
Nedra Glover Tawwab
Strong Female Character
Fern Brady