The final autobiographical manuscript of Daniel Cordier, secretary of Jean Moulin, came out

What a rich, surprising life, full of courage and intelligence than that of Daniel Cordier (1920-2020)! This is the impression that emerges from reading Retro-chaosposthumous volume of his memories published by the historian Bénédicte Vergez-Chaignon. However, the author believed that he had lived “a life for nothing”. The one who entered history by becoming, in 1942, the secretary of Jean Moulin was in turn free, resistant, collector and art merchant before discovering, at 57, the profession of historian … of a beautiful fluid feather, the book offers guidelines that reveal this great witness to history and clarify-perhaps-the chaos of the past.

At over 80 years old, the man examines the teenager he was without complacency, defending the Maurassian ideas of his rich family of Bordeaux merchants. His patriotism is such that he does not hesitate to leave for London in June 1940, disappointed by the request for an armistice of Pétain. “Daniel Cordier was a passionate and a perfectionist,” explains Bénédicte Vergez-Chaignon, who was his collaborator for a long time. He dived thoroughly in everything he undertook and then worked tirelessly to overcome his self -taught complex. »»

In contact with his companions of exile, Cordier will begin his political moult. Eleven months of daily work alongside Jean Moulin, charged by General de Gaulle to unite the resistance movements, will finish transforming it. From their first meeting, to his attacks against democracy, the “boss” gently retorts to him: “When you have suffered to defend it, you will understand its importance better”, leaving it “Co” and ready to call into question.

Clairvoyant reflection

After the war, who became a gallery owner, he introduced the artist Jean Dubuffet, of which he draws a colorful portrait. The desire to testify for the story catches up with him in 1977, when he refuted the accusations of the resistant Henri Frenay who saw Jean Moulin a “cryptocommistic”. He will no longer stop publishing.

A way making it, he delivers a clairvoyant reflection on the historical method “learned on the job and late”, insists his editor. The essential importance of the archives to support or refute testimonials and the need to explain, synthesize and bring back to life. Finally, he reflects on the complex relationship between memory and history, showing how his own testimony, also has blurred areas. Daniel Cordier or the life of an honest man.