Reading rank 188
De Gaulle
, subject: Biography of Charles de Gaulle, 2018
De Gaulle pairs a certain idea of France with an intransigence that became an asset after France fell.
83
Coverage Score
7
Scored evidence
About the book
Drawing on extensive archival material, the biography examines de Gaulle's leadership of Free France, conflicts with allies, return to power, political institutions, and cultivated idea of national grandeur.
Why read it
Best if you want to work out what idea of your business and life deserves steady commitment, and how refusing to quit after a setback relates to survival.
Key themes
- A clear idea to persist in
- Refusing to quit after defeat
Evidence and original sources
Sources: official Founders episodes — #224, #225, #226, #227, #275, #342
This record is supported by 9 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Charles de Gaulle — David identifies De Gaulle by Julian Jackson as the book he will discuss in this episode.
- Winston Churchill — David recalls the previous episode’s coverage of Charles de Gaulle while introducing Churchill’s example of perseverance.
- Heroes: From Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar to Churchill and de Gaulle — David cites a quote from this biography about intransigence as an asset after the fall of France.
- The Essays of Warren Buffett — David applies the survival lesson he learned from the De Gaulle biography while discussing Buffett’s avoidance of financial ruin.
- Paul Graham — David attributes the idea to Charles de Gaulle and points back to his biography coverage on Episode 224.
- The Lessons of History (Will & Ariel Durant) — David draws on De Gaulle’s refusal to quit to illustrate the importance of survival while discussing The Lessons of History.