Dying Without God: Francois Mitterand's Meditations On Living and Dying (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

French journalists, like their American counterparts, are tough on their heads of state. In this account of his meetings with Mitterand during the last months of the French president's life, the editor-in-chief of Le Figaro attacks Mitterand for lying, womanizing, self-love, abuse of power, poor hygiene and alliances with rogues. The accusations come as a surprise after William Styron's moving tribute to the president that has been added as an introduction to this English translation. Mitterand, for his part, was, even in the last stages of painful cancer, an articulate opponent, and he rebuffs all personal assaults with humorous alacrity. Love of intellectual debate and mutual affection characterize the principals' contentious rapport. Throughout meals and long walks in the forests around Mitterand's home, they discuss Charles VII (the greatest figure in French history, according to the president), Napoleon, Reagan and Gorbachev, WWII prisoners-of-war and Resistance experiences, Voltaire and Chateaubriand. A clever aphorist, Mitterand remarks, while defending his stance on European unity, that "nationalism is the opium of imbeciles"?and adds that, "in politics, it is unwise to speak ill of imbeciles." The book's title notwithstanding, Mitterand was an avid reader of the Bible and admirer of St. Paul, whom he describes as "one of the most prodigious figures in all human history." Mitterand was tempted to believe in God, but found the concept of the immortality of the soul to be "rather embarrassing." Because the man who led France through 14 years of political change never shared his reflections nor defended his points of view in a published memoir, this short, insightful record of his intimate thoughts, first published in France in 1996, will be particularly valued.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

During the last year of his presidency, Mitterand (noted womanizer and agnostic) had long conversations with Giesbert, editor in chief of the newspaper Le Figaro. Those conversations and Giesbert's reflections on his love/hate relationship over the years with Mitterand fuel the text of this book. Mitterand had been dying of prostate cancer since the beginning of his two seven-year terms as president of France and was in considerable pain in the last year, but Giesbert plumbs the wisdom of one versed in the acquisition of power so well that one is immediately reminded of Machiavelli's prince. Mitterand can comment pointedly on leaders throughout history--Robert the Pious, Napoleon, Clemenceau, Gorbachev and Yeltsin, Reagan and Clinton--for power intoxicates even near death. To some, Mitterand will come off as a detestable character, vain and arrogant. Well, so what. That has nothing to do with the potent thoughts and reflections to be gained from Giesbert's visit with a powerful libertine who watches death come to him and never, apparently, looks back. Bonnie Smothers

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing; 1st English-language ed edition (January 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559704063
• ISBN-13: 978-1559704069
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,516,064 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for the soul, August 25, 1998

By A Customer

Although many people find dying a truly upsetting and unescapable practice, Franz-Oliver Giesbert sheds light on the final outcome, death. If it was a black and white picture there would be no need to go beyond teh capabilities of the human mind. Since there are many shades of grey we as beings and creatures of this planet must identify them as well. This novel takes great steps towards the ultimate goal in life, which is dying content and tranquil. If I had to live my life as someone else or after someone else; that somebody would be Francois Mitterrand. I highly recommend this book if you are into soul searching and finding answers.