- A fine scholarly work, still relevant today! Directly from the Beenkens library (family of Belgian bookbinders)
After Le Fil de l'épée (1932) and Vers une armée de métier (1934), La France et son armée, published in 1938, is the last volume of a trilogy by de Gaulle devoted to the French army in general.
In this scholarly and lively book, Charles de Gaulle argues that the history of France is closely linked to that of its army: "from the day when a strong power and a solid army were conjoined, France stood tall." To demonstrate this, he traces in seven chapters the history of French armies and their heroes, their victories and their setbacks, from the time of the Gauls to the First World War.
This account is, of course, an opportunity to draw useful lessons. Charles de Gaulle points out that military defeat often leads to the ruin of the nation. That is why it is essential for the army to be ready and well-armed. "Good news is not enough for war without material power," emphasizes the author, concerned by German rearmament and the outdated nature of French strategy.
His warning resonates particularly tragically in this year 1938, which saw the signing of the Munich Agreement. Despite its relative success with over 6000 copies sold, La France et son armée was not enough to awaken the leaders. The modernization of the army that de Gaulle called for would not happen.
https://www.charles-de-gaulle.org/lhomme/biographie/
https://www.revueconflits.com/la-pensee-strategique-du-general-de-gaulle-entretien-avec-herve-gaymard/
https://www.retronews.fr/conflits-et-relations-internationales/echo-de-presse/2019/05/03/de-gaulle-avant-de-gaulle
https://academiesciencesmoralesetpolitiques.fr/2005/05/26/de-gaulle-historien/
https://books.openedition.org/pur/133806?lang=fr
Editions Plon and Berger-Levrault
1945
First illustrated edition
edited by Jacques Wittmann
Format 22*28 cm, 173p
Adorned with 113 black & white photogravures
Superb half-morocco binding with corners
executed by Antoine Beenkens (unsigned)
(who received the French Resistance medal during WWII)
Gilt top edge
Condition
Very nice work with minimal signs of use
- slight edge wear
- slight rubbing to the raised bands
- Fresh interior, but yellowed
- about ten pages with slight edge tears
- a few pages with trimmed margins
