The Last Titans

I’ve just read a book called “the Last Titans: Churchill and de Gaulle”, by Richard Vinen. It’s a dual biography, as the title would suggest, and at the same time a story of the relationship between the two men, probably the most significant leaders of their countries during the twentieth century. The parallel biographies, and the way the two characters were driven together by the second world war, make fascinating reading. The two were not always hugely fond of each other, although each recognised the necessity of working together. That’s not to say that they particularly disliked each other, but more that they were very different characters. In many ways, they were almost - if you like - the wrong way round, in terms of supposed national stereotypes. De Gaulle was rather like the buttoned-up, ascetic, restrained English gentleman, whereas Churchill was outgoing, garrulous and a lover of fine wines and foods. But no matter. It was a rocky relationship from time to time, but Churchill in the end put the weight of his support behind de Gaulle, despite the clear preference of the Americans for Giraud to be installed as the leader of the French part of the allied forces. Some suspicion remained, though, and it was not until quite late in the war that de Gaulle was recognised as leader of the French government in exile as well as commander-in-chief of the Free French forces.

One curiosity which had not occurred to me before, but which the book makes a strong claim for, is how few French people would actually have heard the famous “Appel du dix-huit Juin” live when it was made, because of the time of day at which it was broadcast, and the fact that it was on the BBC, not necessarily top of the listening pops in the chaotic France of June 1940. And yet find me a French town or city that doesn’t have a Place, Boulevard, Avenue or plain old Rue du 18 Juin. That, I think, is a tribute to the power that de Gaulle subsequently drew to himself.

I think what the book - at least for me - highlights is the contrast between these two ‘titans’ and our current crop of politicians. Churchill and de Gaulle were not political operators, focussed purely on climbing the greasy pole, and then clinging on to power for its own sake. The two men described in this book were leaders, in the genuine sense of the word, not just in the debased sense of holding a particular position. Leadership involves more than simply strutting around in front of TV cameras and making empty promises.  This interlinked story of these two giants of the twentieth century reminds us of what we are so sadly lacking in the twenty-first. It’s well worth a read.

For any readers who are fellow members, Richard Vinen will be speaking at a writer’s lunch at the Oxford and Cambridge Club on Thursday 19th February.

“The Last Titans: Churchill and de Gaulle”, by Richard Vinen, is published by Bloomsbury Publishing.