The book tells about the most famous Frenchman of the 20th century, the founder and first president of the Fifth Republic, from an unusual and unexpected critical side for the Russian reader. The author examines in detail the history of the rise of Charles de Gaulle, the participation of "Fighting France" in the anti-Hitler coalition, the general's first rise to power.

The author analyzes the history of de Gaulle's return to power in 1958, showing, in particular, that the Algerian the rebellion did not occur on its own, but was largely provoked by the Gaullists; traces the further tragic fate of French Algeria. The book examines the foreign and especially domestic policies of Gaullism, which are often far from traditional standards of democracy, and examines the nature of President de Gaulle's anti-Americanism. The last chapter provides analogies between Gaullist France and modern Russia, especially important, bearing in mind the traditionally special relations between our countries.

The book is written in lively figurative language, it widely uses the memories of participants in the events, research on domestic and foreign authors, works by de Gaulle himself.

The reader's attention will undoubtedly be attracted by the illustrative material - more than 200 photographs, posters and caricatures, including very rare ones.