The General (Fenby book)

The General: Charles de Gaulle and the France He Saved is a non-fiction book authored by the British historian and journalist Jonathan Fenby. Published in 2010 by Simon & Schuster, the biography details the life and times of the iconic French statesman Charles de Gaulle, with the 20th-century history of the senior general and politician's nation also receiving focus.

In summary, Fenby concludes that de Gaulle's impressive achievements truly merit the widespread sense of "the General" as being the greatest modern Frenchman. Being a decorated hero of the First World War, the statesman possessed a striking sense of personal destiny that fueled his defiance against the Nazi Germany during the Second World War and led to his role as leader of the Free French Forces.

In establishing the French Fifth Republic from the ashes of a conflict-torn Europe, Fenby writes, de Gaulle imposed his will upon the French people in a manner that set up a strong presidential system and ensured the state's survival. Isolated from power within a short period, de Gaulle managed to save France yet again during the Algerian War. While fickle and without good graces in terms of personal character, de Gaulle still dies after he had accomplished two great achievements.

The book was released to widespread acclaim. Supportive reviews have appeared in publications such as History Extra, Kirkus Reviews, and The Observer. Writing for the latter journal, the historian Andrew Hussey credited the success to Fenby's ability to "write about French political culture from the inside".