Artists of History

A compelling new joint biography of Churchill and de Gaulle that shines new light on two of the greatest figures of the twentieth century. Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle were thrown together by the challenges of war. They incarnated the resistance of Britain and France to the existential threat from Nazi Germany, and their ultimate victory over Hitler has ensured their achievements will never be forgotten. But, as The Artists of History shows, that is only a small part of a complex story. Both men influenced their countries, and the world around them, long after the war was won. De Gaulle tall, gauche, charmless and incorruptible exhibited qualities often associated with the English. Churchill short, charming, a bon vivant and fond of money resembled the quintessential politician of the French Third Republic. Their working relationship was rarely smooth, but they appreciated each others stature: de Gaulle said Churchill was the great artist of a great history, while Churchill recognised de Gaulle as lhomme du destin. Richard Vinen explores what made these men exceptional and how profoundly they were influenced by their national cultures. Beyond personal intrigue, the book makes a wider point that Britain and France are both haunted by perceptions of past greatness. Vinen retraces the paths of two leaders who once helmed superpowers but lived to see their nations weakened by two world wars and the loss of empires. Written with extraordinary narrative verve, Artists of History offers a fresh exploration into the lives of de Gaulle and Churchill. By bringing their two stories into one, each man is seen afresh and we gain new insights into their achievements and their legacy today.