Churchill and de Gaulle

Excellent description of the complex relationship between these two famous WWII leaders. Both faced tremendously difficult odds against Germany in June 1940, when the German armies quickly invaded Benelux and France, throwing the British divisions back to England. At a time where the US was only standing by, and France was overwhelmed by a vastly superior ennemy, Churchill had the courage and vision to support De Gaulle's refusal to surrender and subsequent negation of the (collaborationist) Vichy government. The author also provides an excellent description of the two men, describing their trials and highly tempestuous relationship, including their enduring -if severely tested- friendship. In the end, it becomes clear that both men indeed truly loved France -and what it stood for, expecting it to fulfill its European role after the war. The book also describes Roosevelt's persistent attempts to undermine De Gaulle while pressuring Churchill to do likewise -- perhaps the origin of the strained rapport betwen France and the US ?