An extraordinarily arrogant man who considered himself to be the embodiment of France. His refusal to give up, even though he had no authority whatsoever, when France surrendered to Germany in WWII was amazing and brave. His policies during his presidency may have strengthened the government in France and made it into the country it is today. I can see why the French would revere him.

But on the other hand, his insistence that he was somebody to reckon with on the international stage, his refusal to see France as anything less than a superpower, was pathetic and amusing. Most world leaders simply ignored him and his posturing, and rightly so. He showed no appreciation to Britain or the United States for allowing France to exist during and after the war. He considered anybody who disagreed with him to be in a conspiracy against France. In short, he was a proud man with little to be proud about.