First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

If any modern democratic leader has believed in the "great man'' theory of history and acted self-consciously in accordance with it, it was surely de Gaulle. On both occasions when he came to power it was in his own right, as a ``providential figure'', not as the representative of a political or social movement. In office, his wielding of power was, by modern standards, remarkably personal; and his impact on France, and on Europe, was immense. He is a natural subject for Profiles in Power.

If any modern democratic leader has believed in the "great man'' theory of history and acted self-consciously in accordance with it, it was surely de Gaulle. On both occasions when he came to power it was in his own right, as a providential figure'', not as the representative of a political or social movement. In office, his wielding of power was, by modern standards, remarkably personal; and his impact on France, and on Europe, was immense. He is a natural subject for Profiles in Power.

The defeat of 1940 was an unprecedented humiliation for the French people. In its wake, an entire generation was compelled to come to terms with France's national decline and to accept the need for fundamental change - political, economic, and social; domestic and international; individual and collective. The great debate over the reasons for France's defeat and the sources of her future renewal - a debate which began in the dark days of the German occupation and the Vichy regime and reached its climax in the euphoric months after the Allies had liberated Paris in August 1944 - was one of the most distinctive features of these critical years. In this book, Andrew Shennan provides the first comprehensive account of this debate. In contrast to most previous treatments of the subject, which have confined themselves to one particular group in French society or to one particular issue, Dr Shennan offers a broad-ranging interpretation. He examines the contributions that each of the major political forces made to the debate and looks at each of its major themes, from economics to empire, from schools to social security. Combining extensive primary research with synthesis of a vast secondary literature, he traces the sources, peculiarities, and outcomes of the debate about post-war renewal. His assessment of French politicians and reformers during the 1940s casts light both on the period itself and on the roots of France's remarkable post-war resurgence.

Challenging Concepts in Obstetrics and Gynaecology is a case-based guide to difficult scenarios faced in both fields, covering many of the major sub-speciality areas of each. The 24 cases have been selected to cover a spectrum of challenges in obstetrics and gynaecology. Recognising that any attempt to cover the whole curriculum is impossible, the authors have instead chosen specific, challenging scenarios that are commonly encountered in clinical practice, but by no means have simple answers or outcomes. Complex cases are examined from a multidisciplinary approach with consideration of diagnostic procedures, practical skills, evidence base, and the application of national and international guidelines. There is also a summary of evidence from the medical literature in various subspecialty areas of obstetrics and gynaecology, alongside current controversies in management. Cases are punctuated by easy-to-read "Learning Points", "Clinical Tips", and "Evidence Base" boxes, speeding the learning process as well as providing a handy dip-into guide for those just refreshing their memory. Each case is set off by an 'Expert Commentary' written by an internationally-renowned expert in each field, leaving the reader with both a solid base of knowledge and a nuanced view of current challenges in obstetrics and gynaecology. This collaboration between trainees and experts provides a unique insight into the management of complex and often rare but important obstetrics and gynaecology cases, within a highly user-friendly format and a ready-made means of self-learning and self-testing. Challenging Concepts in Obstetrics and Gynaecologymakes a useful, relevant and interesting read, enabling the reader to readily transfer the knowledge gained to everyday clinical practice.