This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. France On Trial

   The Case of Marshal Pétain

   

   "France On Trial" by Julian Jackson delves into the tumultuous period of French history during World War II, focusing on the controversial figure of Marshal Philippe Pétain. Once a revered hero of World War I, Pétain's decision to collaborate with Nazi Germany during the Occupation shocked the nation. The book centers on Pétain's trial in 1945, where he faced charges for his actions as the head of the Vichy regime. Through this trial, Jackson explores the broader themes of national identity, collective guilt, and the struggle to reconcile with a painful past. The narrative intertwines political intrigue with personal drama, shedding light on how different factions within France sought to shape their history and influence the country's future.

   The 17010th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. A Certain Idea Of France

   The Life of Charles de Gaulle

   

   A comprehensive biography of Charles de Gaulle, tracing his path from soldier and leader of Free France to founder of the Fifth Republic, and unpacking his vision of national sovereignty and a strong state. It revisits key crises—occupation and liberation, the Algerian War, constitutional overhaul in 1958, pursuit of nuclear and diplomatic independence, and the upheavals of May 1968—while examining his fraught relations with allies and rivals. Balancing myth and reality, it evaluates his political style, ideas, and enduring legacy in French and European history.