9 November 2020 is the 50th anniversary of Charles De Gaulle’s death, leader of the French resistance against Nazi Germany, former prime minister and former president of France. To mark the anniversary, Prof Pablo Pérez López, professor of Modern History in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Academic Director of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), has published a book on Charles De Gaulle, El estadista rebelde (The Rebel Statesman).

Published by Ciudadela Libros, the book is a portrait of “one of the greatest French figures in the history of our neighboring country, whose stature grows the more he is studied; controversial, loved and hated, but undoubtedly a great man, who was able to dream of devoting himself to politics, who knew how to see, confront and overcome difficulties” says Pérez López.  It also presents an overview of world, European and French history from the 20th century, until 1970.

The title of the book summarizes the personality of “a man of independent thinking, a non-conformist who was determined to improve things”. As the author explains, “when his country fell to the German attack in 1940, he refused to acknowledge defeat and set out to continue fighting. This rebellious spirit, which led to his expulsion from the army, loss of citizenship and a death sentence, was the founding act of his political life. It marked him forever. What is so surprising is that his rebellion managed to reposition France again among the great and victorious nations of the world."

Pablo Pérez López was awarded his doctorate in history from the University of Valladolid, where he was full professor in Modern History until 2013, when he moved to the University of Navarra. He is now Head of the Department of History and Academic Director of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS).  His research centers on the history of the transition to democracy in Spain, comparative European history and cultural history. He has done research stays in various universities in Europe and the USA. He is the author of ten books and over one hundred journal articles and book chapters.