This volume investigates how Charles de Gaulle navigated the transition from the post-World War II political landscape to the establishment and consolidation of the Fifth Republic. Jean Lacouture, a distinguished journalist and historian, utilizes extensive archival research and personal insight to analyze the complex political maneuvers required to stabilize France during the Algerian crisis. The text argues that de Gaulle’s return to power was not merely a reaction to instability, but a calculated effort to redefine the French executive branch and the nation's global standing.

This work is regarded as a definitive, comprehensive account of de Gaulle’s later political career, noted for its depth and narrative clarity. The text serves as a standard reference for scholars and students interested in the mechanics of twentieth-century French statecraft.