"Chateaubriand complex"

       The Telegraph wonders Why do French candidates feel the need to publish their own books ?
       It's so popular that:

French author Patrick Rambaud describes the urge to publish as the "Chateaubriand complex" -- after the 19 century French Romantic and author of interminable memoirs. "A book is a bit like a Rolex for our politicians: if you haven't got your own by 50, you're a failure," he says.

       Of course, books by and about American politicians supposedly in the running for the presidency also abound every election season .....