This is an impressive book about one of the major figures of post-war French and European politics. It must stand as the principal academic and scholarly biography of his enigmatic figure and will be central to teaching about French culture and politics...it is destined to become a standard text.

List of tables, List of abbreviations, Preface, 1 The origins of a political leader, 1916-58, 2 From Republican opponent to President of the French, 1958-81, 3 Fran~ois Mitterrand and the Left in power, 1981-93: an overview, 4 The enigma of Fran~ois Mitterrand, 5 The party leader, 6 The President, 7 Mitterrand's governing style, 8 The European statesman, 9 The world leader, 10 Fran~ois Mitterrand and the new Europe, 11 Mitterrand's political leadership: an evaluation, 12 Conclusion, Notes, Bibliography, Index 211