Former French premier Georges Clemenceau once said that “the last word goes to those who never surrender.” A veritable army of people stood by me as I fought to get these last words right.
In Paris I am tremendously grateful for the assistance of Franck Veyron at the Bibliothèque de Documentation Internationale Contemporaine, Philippe Mezzasalma at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, and Patricia Gillet at the Archives Nationales. Their answers, assistance, and insights were incredibly valuable to me as I began sorting through Geneviève de Gaulle Anthonioz’s archival holdings. I would also like to thank Mme Anthonioz’s daughter, Isabelle Gaggini, for her generosity and good humor as I strove to tell the best story possible about her late mother. She graciously connected me with friends and family members who took time out of their busy schedules to share stories about General de Gaulle’s favorite niece. Without Isabelle’s help many parts of this book could not have been written. I am additionally grateful to the following formidable women for their time, tales, and trouble: Michèle Moët-Agniel and Anise Postel-Vinay, who shared their stories of resistance in wartime France; historian Claire Andrieu, who supplied me with the exact background reading I needed; filmmaker Caroline Glorion, who talked to me about Geneviève’s postwar life and engagement; and ATD Quart Monde’s Geneviève Tardieu, who told me about how this so-called little de Gaulle was able to give a voice to the voiceless. Geneviève Tardieu also graciously provided feedback on what I wrote about Mme Anthonioz’s years with ATD.
At Getty Images I would like to thank Peter Kersten for his assistance in finding archival photos of Geneviève de Gaulle and her family. At the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, I would like to thank Toni Kiser for her help with additional photos from wartime France.
I have been delighted to work on this project with my editor, Lisa Reardon, and the amazing people at Chicago Review Press. Their support of this book has meant the world to me, and I am grateful that we could tell Geneviève de Gaulle’s story together. Lisa’s insightful comments helped shape this book into the one you are holding now, and her patience and kindness were a godsend to this first-time author. Additional thanks are due to the fabulous Ellen Hornor, for her eagle-eyed edits; Natalya Balnova, for a beautiful cover design; Mary Kravenas, for her marketing savvy; and Caitlin Eck, for her publicity flair. Of course I would not be working with this marvelous team if it hadn’t been for my fantastic agents, Jane Dystel and Miriam Goderich at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC. Once upon a time, Jane plucked me out of a slush pile so quickly it made my head spin. Her and Miriam’s support of me, for better or for worse, has meant the world, and I am so very grateful to have them in my corner.
Bottomless thanks are also in order to the friends and colleagues who cheered me on and supported me throughout this process: Julie Baggenstoss, Kathy and Matt Bedette, Andrea Billups, Gaedig Bonabesse, Hamilton Cain, Fiona Gibb, Amy Haimerl, Meredith Hindley, Hollea Holliday, Jeffrey Kluger, Bill Lascher, Peter Lioubin, Mindy Marques, Benjamin F. Martin Jr., Terra Elan McVoy, Katie Newingham, Daphne Nikolopoulos, Doug Ortego, Jill Rothenberg, Keith Smith, and the Veit family. A special word of thanks goes out to Michelle Havich, a longtime first reader of mine and very dear friend who knows when it’s time to get me away from a manuscript and in front of a Duran Duran concert. We are, indeed, Girls on Film.
Much love and gratitude is in order to my family, who constantly reminded me that I could do it. First there is my mother, Pat Bowers, who gave me my love of words and books. I’ve never seen her without a book in her hand and had always hoped to write one of the histories she so adores. Then there are my in-laws, the Diecks and Dafler families, who helped us so much throughout the manuscript process. My husband, Jeffrey Diecks, has been beyond supportive, reading first drafts, providing much-needed suggestions, and listening to my tales again and again (and again and again). He is my rock, my love, and a marvelous partner, and I do not know what I would do without him. Last but not least there is my daughter, Avery, who spent her fifth-grade year without a mother present for countless field trips and other special school engagements. She sailed through it, and I am incredibly proud of her. She is my pride, joy, and entire heart.
I love you, Avery Lane.
Before I go I’d be remiss if I didn’t also thank my dog, Murray, a marvelous eighty-pound yellow Lab who sat at—and on—my feet as I worked to bring this book to completion. Among good pups he is the best of the best.