Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
"I see myself," Mitterrand confides, "as... the guardian of memory." Assisting the late French president in this final act of friendship is Nobel laureate Wiesel. The dying Mitterrand, seemingly prompted by Wiesel, unburdens himself of his last memories and confessions, discussing childhood, faith, war, literature and power. Wiesel occasionally reaches for personal parallels to the crafty old politician's recollections and insights. We learn little new about Wiesel other than that he remains a masterly storyteller. His primary role is to evoke Mitterrand's cautious, ostensibly candid responses. The central issue is Mitterrand's embarrassment that he has been cozy with, and may have protected, Ren Bousquet, who, Wiesel observes, "handed over little Jewish children to the Nazis" but was exonerated by the notoriously lax postwar French judicial system. The relationship finally ended when Bousquet's crimes"errors," to Mitterrandwere proved in the late 1980s. "I'm not a man," he claims loyally, "who changes his opinion about his colleagues just because the world has come down on them." Mitterrand speaks little of his personal life here (he had a second household and an adored illegitimate daughter), and the reader must assume that Wiesel's presence is meant to lend credibility and an air of moral gravitas to the limited self-portrait Mitterrand offers. The glimpses into the private Mitterrand are nonetheless as fascinating for their revelations as they are exasperating for their silences. (July)
Library Journal
In this remarkably candid memoir, inspired by Mitterand's desire to speak out on issues to which he was deeply committed, the late president of France and the Nobel Peace Prize laureate come together to share their thoughts on myriad subjects ranging from the personal to the political. With the help of his longtime friend, Mitterrand makes public what would otherwise be a private conversation. Written as a dialog, this book offers a rare glimpse into the minds of two great men. Responding to Wiesel's probing questions, Mitterrand shares his extensive knowledge of religion, politics, and literature. It is only natural, given their differences in lifestyles and faiths, that Wiesel frequently offers counterperspectives. Everyone can benefit from the wisdom set forth in this book. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.Tiffany Petros, Miami Univ., Oxford, Ohio
Booknews
The English translation of Mitterand's memoir which became, incidentally, also the memoir of his friend Nobel Peace Prize recipient Elie Wiesel. Before leaving office, the French president asked Wiesel to interview him. The result was a dialogue between two powerful men who had witnessed some of the most influential (and horrible) events of the 20th century. Their conversations range over childhood hopes, faith, war, literature, power, and death, illuminating the intelligence and wit which characterized both careers. No bibliography, index, or notes. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
