My Life in Politics

My Life in Politics by Chirac, Jacques. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780230340886.

Along with Mikhail Gorbachev, Helmut Kohl, and Francois Mitterand, Jacques Chirac is one of the most iconic statesmen of the twentieth century. Two-time president of France, mayor of Paris, and international politician, a recent poll voted him the most admired political figure in France, with current president Nicolas Sarkozy ranking in 32nd place. This memoir covers the full scope of Chiracs political career of more than 50 years and includes the last centurys most significant events. A protégé of General de Gaulle, Chirac started political life after Frances defeat in Algeria in the early 1960s. He then became Prime Minister George de Pompidous "bulldozer" and a personal negotiator with Saddam Hussein for Frances oil interests in the Persian Gulf. He sold Iraq its first nuclear reactor and incurred the wrath of the United States and Israel, which he discusses in striking detail. As mayor of Paris, Chirac was famed for his success in beautifying the City of Lights and kee