Part 1 The formation of a political leader: youthful libertarian and social reformer; progress to socialist leadership and ministerial candidacy. Part 2 The social reform minister: social justice and economic prosperity - the minister of commerce's goals; the social reformer as party outcast and government critic; national interest as motivation for the Minister of Public Works' reforms and repression. Part 3 The war minister: the war minister's contribution to the nationalist revival; politics versus patriotism - the struggles of the second war ministry. Part 4 The premier: "Work, Security and Freedom" - domestic politics and foreign policy; "Without Violence or Weakness but with Unshakable Firmness" - policy toward Germany; "Cordon Sanitaire" and aid for "An Especially Dear Ally" - policy toward Russia and Eastern Europe; prestige and resources - France's colonial policy in 1920. Part 5 The president: "Bloc National" leader as president of the republic; firmness toward Germany - the dominant presidential concern; from the Evreux "Bomb" to the "Cartel" victory - development of a presidential crisis; epilogue in the Senate.