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Charles de Gaulle

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Charles de Gaulle

By: Don Cook
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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About this listen

This magnificent volume by veteran European correspondent Don Cook is the first major biography of de Gaulle written by an American from an American perspective. Rich with new anecdotal material, it offers fresh evaluations and sheds new light on Europe's most controversial and enigmatic general, politician, and statesman.

Arrogant, haughty, single-minded in war, politics, and his personal life, Charles de Gaulle ranks in many ways as the most powerful personality of an epoch blessed (and cursed) with powerful men. Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, Truman, Kennedy, and Khrushchev: all locked horns with de Gaulle, and all eventually bowed to his wishes.

This exciting biography takes full measure of the man and full measure of his times, when great soldiers and statesmen fought center stage and the fate of the world hung in the balance.

©1983 Don Cook (P)1997 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Historical
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Critic reviews

"No one has done a better job in painting the real de Gaulle...an outstanding biography." ( New York Times)
"De Gaulle's career may have been an ordeal for his contemporaries, but in Cook's hands it has become a delight for readers." ( Time)

What listeners say about Charles de Gaulle

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fascinating History of Enigmatic French President

Where does Charles de Gaulle rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Good history which moves at a reasonable pace. Very interesting to hear of times in world war 2 and creation of 5th republic.

What other book might you compare Charles de Gaulle to, and why?

A view of World war 2 from the Free French perspective which have not found among other ww2 histories.

What three words best describe Frederick Davidson’s voice?

Not as bad as other reviews indicated.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absorbing book on significant 20c leader.

Very well researched and written book. Liked the narrators style once you get used him.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great read!

Part of the story not that often told. A nation is built on forgiveness.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

fascinating insight of French diplomacy 1940-68

Would you listen to Charles de Gaulle again? Why?

Yes

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Narrator is clearly a professional speaker but unfortunately has a clipped English accent and pronounces all the French names rather badly. He then uses a fake French accent for the de Gaulle quotes. The recording is clean but the sound level fluctuates a little. Generally quite easy to listen to.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ego at its best...

What did you like most about Charles de Gaulle?

The book tells of a single mans struggle, drive and desire to write his own names into the history books...he did it to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

De Gaulle!!!

Which character – as performed by Frederick Davidson – was your favourite?

All...very clear and well presented narration. De Gaulle

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

It's a great true story of De Gaulle's drive to become the destiny of France, its saviour, its greatest son...with a pig-headed determination to lead France...he would argue point blank with the most powerful men in the world, until he got his on way.

Good listen, very interesting and a great history lesson.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Quality of recording is disappointing

The reading itself is fine but somehow there's pause here and there and the sound of turning pages and someone's breathing is very annoying.
The book was written in 1980s so there might be certain things that have come to light since.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Interesting content, AWFUL narrator

This book is very interesting in its content. Unfortunately the narrator has decided to read the whole thing in a voice that is, quite frankly, beyond ridiculous. I have no idea what he was aiming at - some sort of debonair British diplomat, but it is completely unnatural and totally distracting. Makes the book almost un-listenable. Shame as, like I say, the content is fascinating.

Suggest a re-record for this one.

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4 people found this helpful