American Notes: Life Without Heores

Americans were both bemused and bewildered by Charles de Gaulle. He was often one of the most infuriating allies this nation has ever had. Like Kremlinologists, a priesthood of State Department experts devoted years to trying to penetrate his mind on NATO and other issues. For a time during the '60s, many exasperated American laymen simply gave up French wines and trips to Paris. But nearly all of that irritation had vanished before De Gaulle died last week at Colombey-les-Deux- Eglises (see THE WORLD).

De Gaulle still remained something of a mystery to Americans....