De Gaulle's Biographer Julian Jackson on the General's 'Great Moral Courage'

In this engaging interview, François Picard welcomes Julian Jackson, a renowned British historian and Emeritus Professor of Modern French History at Queen Mary University of London. Jackson's acclaimed biography of General Charles de Gaulle served as the foundation for France's two-part biopic "De Gaulle," which became a surprise box office hit. Now, Jackson's book has been translated into French under the title "La Chute: France 1940," exploring the occupation of Paris and the extraordinary collapse of France in the summer of 1940. Jackson delves into the character of de Gaulle, highlighting his moral courage and the moment when the French public realized they had misunderstood the general. Rather than treating the defeat as a mere military event, Jackson examines the profound political and social implications that shaped France's subsequent history. The discussion offers a nuanced portrait of de Gaulle, shedding light on his leadership during one of France's darkest hours. Jackson's insights provide a fresh perspective on how de Gaulle's actions and decisions continue to resonate in French collective memory and national identity.