The 100 Books

Biography

Paul-Henri Spaak, (Belgian, born 25 January 1899 - died 31 July 1972), was born into a prominent and politically active Belgian family and was Belgium's first Socialist prime minister, a post he held three times (1938-39, 1946 and 1947-49). He was one of the founding fathers of the European Union, playing a key role in formulating the Treaties of Rome which established the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). He was also the first President of the United Nations General Assembly and was instrumental in the creation of NATO.

Summary

One of the most notable Belgian politicians of the 20th century, Paul-Henri Spaak's two-volume memoirs cover his career from 1936 up until 1966 when he retired from political life. They lead us through important political events in history and his encounters with prime ministers and other leading politicians of the day.

The first part covers Spaak's early years in government and the dark years of World War II, his time as Foreign Minister in the Belgian government-in-exile in London and the post-war years including the creation of the United Nations and the European Defence Community. The second part covers important events such as the signing of the Treaties of Rome, one creating the common market and the other establishing Euratom, which Spaak was instrumental in formulating. It also includes other significant events such the 'empty chair crisis', which he played a key role in resolving, and the Congo crisis which occupied a great deal of his time in the last years of his political career.

Spaak gives a frank and personal opinion of the prominent political figures he meets (including Churchill – a hero of Spaak's and the name he would always give to journalists when asked which man he most admired - Roosevelt and de Gaulle). Spaak is a good narrator and has a literary style that makes his memoirs an easy and fascinating read.