Best Biographies of Charles de Gaulle (2026): 5 Compared

Charles de Gaulle led Free France and founded the Fifth Republic, and the best biographies of charles de gaulle are the ones that weigh the general against the statesman. We compared five biographies by author, print length, publisher and publication year, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	De Gaulle (Jackson)	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Napoleon and de Gaulle	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The General	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Charles de Gaulle: A Life	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	World's Greatest Musicians	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

De Gaulle (Jackson)

Julian Jackson·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 928-page biography of de Gaulle by Julian Jackson, published October 2019.

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Pros

• 928 pages, the longest here
• Belknap Press
• Julian Jackson

Cons

• No warranty stated
• No reading age stated
• No audiobook stated

2

Napoleon and de Gaulle

Patrice Gueniffey·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 416-page dual biography of Napoleon and de Gaulle by Patrice Gueniffey, published May 2020.

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Pros

• 416 pages
• Belknap Press
• 2020 publication

Cons

• No warranty stated
• Covers Napoleon too
• No audiobook stated

3

The General

Jonathan Fenby·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A biography of Charles de Gaulle by Jonathan Fenby, 1st edition, published June 2012.

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Pros

• Jonathan Fenby
• Skyhorse
• 1st edition

Cons

• No warranty stated
• No print length stated
• No audiobook stated

4

Charles de Gaulle: A Life

Hourly History·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A biography of Charles de Gaulle by Hourly History, published October 2024.

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Pros

• 2024 publication
• Word Wise enabled
• Hourly History

Cons

• No warranty stated
• No print length stated
• No audiobook stated

5

World's Greatest Musicians

Wonder House Books·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 160-page collection of musician biographies, for ages 8 to 12, published May 2019.

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Pros

• 160 pages
• Reading age 8-12 stated
• Wonder House Books

Cons

• No warranty stated
• Not about de Gaulle
• No audiobook stated

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More picks to compare

• The Last Great FrenchmanA life of General de Gaulle.Check on Amazon
• Charles de Gaulle French EditionA French edition.Check on Amazon
• De Gaulle: The RebelCovers 1890 to 1944.Check on Amazon
• De Gaulle: The RulerCovers 1945 to 1970.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 21 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a biography reader, contents and edition, and value. Print lengths run from 160 to 928 pages where stated, and publication years run from 2012 to 2024. None of the five states a warranty term. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best biographies of charles de gaulle

The full life

Julian Jacksons De Gaulle at 928 pages is the most complete here, from Belknap Press. For a shorter full life, the Hourly History title from 2024 covers beginning to end.

The dual view

Napoleon and de Gaulle pairs the two French leaders in 416 pages, also from Belknap Press. It suits readers who want comparison, not just one life.

The journalist

Jonathan Fenbys The General is a 1st edition from Skyhorse. A working journalists biography reads faster than an academic one.

Before you buy

• Print lengths run from 160 to 928 pages where stated.
• Two are from Belknap Press, the Harvard imprint.
• One title is about musicians, not de Gaulle.
• None of the five states a warranty term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the longest biography?

Julian Jacksons De Gaulle at 928 pages. The shortest stated is Worlds Greatest Musicians at 160 pages.

Which covers both Napoleon and de Gaulle?

Napoleon and de Gaulle: Heroes and History by Patrice Gueniffey, 416 pages from Belknap Press.

Which is the most recent?

Charles de Gaulle: A Life from Beginning to End, published October 2024.

Still deciding? Our top pickDe Gaulle (Jackson)

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