A classic of modern French literature, the thrilling real-life story of the military hero, ambassador, ladies man, writer, and loving son I grew up longing for the day when I could tear down the veil of darkness and absurdity concealing the true face of the universe and discover at last a smile of kindness and wisdom; I grew up in the certitude that one day I should help my fellow men to wrest the world from our enemies and give back the earth to those who ennoble it with their courage and warm it with their love. Promise at Dawn begins as the story of a mothers sacrifice: alone and poor, she fights fiercely to give her son the very best. Romain Gary chronicles his childhood in Russia, Poland, and on the French Riveria; he recounts his adventurous life as a young man fighting for France in World War II. But above all he tells the story of the love for his mother that was his very lifetheir secret and private planet, their wonderland zborn out of a mothers murmur into a childs ear, a promise whispered at dawn of future triumphs and greatness, of justice and love.y