DAVID BELL is Professor of Politics at the University of Leeds, UK. JOHN GAFFNEY is Professor of Politics at Aston University, UK.

With The Presidents of the French Fifth Republic, Bell and Gaffney have produced an extremely valuable book that combines a sophisticated analysis of individual Presidents with reflection on political leadership that is historically sensitive and contextually rich, yet which also provides valuable generic analysis. I strongly recommend this book. Alistair Cole, Cardiff School of European Languages, Translation and Politics, Cardiff University, UK

• Acknowledgments Notes on Contributors List of Abbreviations Introduction: The Presidency in the French Fifth Republic; D.S.Bell & J.Gaffney PART I  Political Leadership from the Fourth to the Fifth Republic; D.Hanley 'Hyperpresidentialism' and the Fifth Republic State Imperative; J.Hayward Ségolène Royal and Gendered Leadership in France; R.Murray PART II Charles de Gaulle: The Real Gaullist Settlement; J.Gaffney Georges Pompidou: The Gaullist Heritage, and the Heritage of '68'. G.Richard (Translated by John Gaffney) Valéry Giscard d'Estaing: The Limits of Liberalism; J.Shields François Mitterrand: The President as 'political artist'; D.S.Bell Jacques Chirac: Surviving without Leading; A.Knapp Nicolas Sarkozy: 'Sarkozyism' a New Presidential Leadership; P.Perrineau Conclusion: The Study of Political Leadership in France; D.S.Bell & J.Gaffney