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The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

Erik Larson (Goodreads Author),

Morten Gorm (Cover),

Brian Dan Christensen (Translation)

4.22 · Rating details · 62,614 ratings · 7,300 reviews

On Winston Churchill's first day as prime minister, Adolf Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. Poland and Czechoslovakia had already fallen, and the Dunkirk evacuation was just two weeks away. For the next twelve months, Hitler would wage a relentless bombing campaign, killing 45,000 Britons. It was up to Churchill to hold his country together and persuade President Frankli ...more

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Kindle Edition, 546 pages

Published February 25th 2020 by Crown

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Start your review of The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

Jan 30, 2020 Liz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, best-of-2020, netgalley, book-clubs

Erik Larson is my favorite author of nonfiction. He writes books that just grab me as well as always teaching me something new.

Looking back on Churchill, it’s easy to assume he was always loved and admired. But that’s not the case. He had many detractors on both sides of the pond. Larson does a wonderful job of giving us a flesh and blood Churchill - kimonos and all. His strength lay in being able to give the English hope and a willingness to fight on. After his moving speech about fighting on ...more

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Oct 09, 2019 Dem rated it really liked it

Shelves: ww2, recommended

What a poignant read for the times we are in as the world is fighting a different type of war without the guns and bombs and those in government must make the tough decisions to keep us safe. A few Winston Churchills wouldn’t go amiss in heading the Governments of today.

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few (Sir Winston Churchill)

I have always had a gra for Winston Churchill and was excited when I heard that Erik Larson was writing a book portraying Lo What a poignant read for the times we are in as the world is fighting a different type of war without the guns and bombs and those in government must make the tough decisions to keep us safe. A few Winston Churchills wouldn’t go amiss in heading the Governments of today.

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few (Sir Winston Churchill)

I have always had a gra for Winston Churchill and was excited when I heard that Erik Larson was writing a book portraying London during the Blitz and focusing on Churchill and his family and friends.
I listened to this one on audible and while it’s extremely well narrated, it is not my favorite way to read non fiction and history as I am always wondering if the hard copy had maps, or photographs that I may be missing out on.

This is extremely well researched and written account and takes you right into those air shelters in London and the terror and fear that the majority of British folk faced during the war, I leaned so many facts and figures concerning the battle to save Britain and the early years of the war. I loved this take on Winston Churchill where his confidence, leadership and eccentricities shine through. When a country is facing the challenge of War a leader like Churchill is a necessity and Britain certainly had a leader who was fearless and could make the tough decisions needed at the time. I enjoyed reading about Rudolf Hess’s trip to Scotland and about the negotiations between Churchill and Roosevelt.

Churchill’s daughter Mary brings a fresh and young vide to the book as we see her excitement and fun loving escapades through snippets from her teenage to adult diaries to where she commands an anti-aircraft battery as a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

I enjoyed reading about Churchill’s eccentric nature and what made him tick and his love for his cat. I adored his quirky nature and his ability to not give a toss what people thought of him. And of course Clementine who was not only a wife and mother but Churchill’s close advisor and confident , vetting his speeches, smoothing over his faux pas whenever he made them.

A terrific look back in history and a book I throughly enjoyed and I think readers interested in World War II and the battle of Britain might well enjoy this one. ...more

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Jun 15, 2020 Beata rated it it was amazing

A terrific account of the 'darkest hour' from the perspective of the Churchills. Mr Larson has a special talent which allows him to engage a reader and leave them satisfied, like myself. This non-fiction is about the times when Great Britain was on the verge of falling into the Nazi hands and regime, and yet, Churchill and his charisma at that very moment prevented the catastrophy. The is not much politics although one might expect a huge portion of it opening a book in which Winston Churchill i ...more

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Mar 24, 2020 Elyse Walters rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Few authors are as gifted writing - ‘non-fiction’ - that reads like - ‘fiction’, - as Erik Larson does.
With tenacity and sensitivity, Larson gives us an compelling account of history by humanizing the facts with the interesting array of characters.

Larson masterfully reimagines the “The Blitz and the Battle of Britain”, ( bombs dropping & German invasion), in uniquely human terms..... filled with personal and political drama....(tragedies of war, love, family, friends, colleagues, infidelity, d ...more

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May 17, 2020 Holly B rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history, read-in-2020, favorite-author

This was fascinating, thrilling, and filled with those "go team" moments. Britain and the world VS. Hitler.

I took my time to read this history filled book. It was part memoir of Winston Churchill's first year as Prime Minister of Britain during WWII. I read lots of WWII fictional novels, BUT this author brought the battle front and center, behind the scenes and was almost impossible to put down.

I loved learning about Churchill and his circle. He was quite a fascinating, and courageous leader ...more

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Jun 13, 2020 Nilufer Ozmekik rated it it was amazing

This is splendid, intense, emotional, perfectly crafted and so far one of the best nonfictions I’ve read.
The author’s fantastic talented writing hooks you from the beginning and you see so many similarities about the portrait of Churchill has been adapted into Joe Wright’s movie Darkest Hour which has been brought Gary Oldman an Oscar statuette.

We learned so much about Battle of Britain and how British folks’ destiny has been sealed by a powerful and fearless leader’s smart tactics and powerfu ...more

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Jul 02, 2020 Greta rated it it was amazing

Shelves: best-reviews, non-fiction

"An airplain carrying Hitler, Goebbels and Göring crashes, all three are killed. Who is saved? The German people!" joke in Berlin during the Blitz

Londoner milkman going to work

In "The Splendid and the Vile" Erik Larson guides us through the Blitz; the London bombings from 1940 to 1941. Larson uses intimate diaries, as well as public documents to make this book amazingly well written, fast, deeply moving but also involuntary humorous at times.

The silver lining is Winston Churchill, around whom ...more

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Apr 26, 2020 JanB rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley, 2020-reads, non-fiction

“Never was there such a contrast of natural splendor and human vileness.” (John Colville’s diary entry about the peculiar beauty of watching bombs fall over the city)

What better time than during a pandemic to read about the unrelenting courage of a people during one of the darkest periods of history? During the Blitz, Londoners endured fifty-seven consecutive nights of bombing. Tens of thousands of people died. How did the people endure such a terrifying ordeal? What was it like living day afte “Never was there such a contrast of natural splendor and human vileness.” (John Colville’s diary entry about the peculiar beauty of watching bombs fall over the city)

What better time than during a pandemic to read about the unrelenting courage of a people during one of the darkest periods of history? During the Blitz, Londoners endured fifty-seven consecutive nights of bombing. Tens of thousands of people died. How did the people endure such a terrifying ordeal? What was it like living day after day knowing that during the night the bombs would rain down and you might be one of the many who would die?

How did they endure? Churchill’s determination, unrelenting optimism, and eloquent speeches encouraged the people and gave them hope. He emboldened them to realize the part they played in this moment in history. Amid the sheer terror of the relentless bombings, Churchill was an extraordinary leader and a beacon of hope.

Churchill was a brilliant orator who never wavered in telling the people the hard truth, but always followed it with optimism and an unwavering conviction that England would prevail. His courage was inspiring and his is a picture of true leadership. But he was also a man who had his flaws, quirks, and idiosyncrasies. There was opposition to appointing him as Prime Minister, but at this particular moment in history he was the right man for the job and he got it right.

Covering Winston Churchill’s first year in office, between May 1940 and May 1941, Larson, known for his exhaustive research, used personal journals, archival documents, and intelligence reports. Through these we learn of the everyday lives of ordinary citizens, as well as those of Churchill, his family, and the people closest to him. No family is perfect, including Churchill’s. The stories of his wife Clementine, his daughter Mary (who ended up being one of my favorite characters!) , his son Randall, and daughter-in-law Pamela, provided much of the human interest stories, making this such a readable book. Though the subject is grim, there’s no shortage of humorous stories.

Plenty of books have been written about WWII and The Blitz, but only Erik Larson can tell it in an original way that makes history come alive. I felt as if I lived this story with these characters. It reads like a thrilling novel, but every word, every conversation, is true, and I wasn’t ready for the book to end. Larson writes history for people who think they don’t like history.

This is a true gem, don’t miss it!

* I received a digital copy of the book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. ...more

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May 22, 2020 Dorie - Cats&Books :) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, 2020-netgalley-challenge

I have read several books by Eric Larson but “ Devil In The White City” was always my favorite, but after reading “The Splendid And The Vile”, this one is a tie for me with the above book.

I have never read another author who can make learning about history engaging and easily readable. It was a bit hard to read in part because of the pandemic we are still struggling with. However, it was such a story of human strength, determination and victory that I found it uplifting.

I had never researched W I have read several books by Eric Larson but “ Devil In The White City” was always my favorite, but after reading “The Splendid And The Vile”, this one is a tie for me with the above book.

I have never read another author who can make learning about history engaging and easily readable. It was a bit hard to read in part because of the pandemic we are still struggling with. However, it was such a story of human strength, determination and victory that I found it uplifting.

I had never researched Winston Churchill in the past and knew him only by brief articles about him or short films. In reading an article by the author I found that after he visited New York he suddenly understood how New Yorkers felt about 9/11, it was an attack on their home city that none of us living elsewhere could truly understand. He then began to think of London and “the aerial assault of 1940-41 in which they endured 57 consecutive nights of bombing, followed by an intensifying series of nighttime raids over the next six months.”

It was then that he decided to write this book and focus on Churchill’s 1st year as prime minister and what it must have felt like to have his city invaded from the sea and sky. “This was the year that Churchill became Churchill, the cigar smoking bulldog we all think we know, when he made his greatest speeches and showed the world what courage and leadership looked like”. Wow what an incredible achievement of research and smooth flowing prose this book is. I learned about what Churchill’s family life was like and how much they struggled. There are also many characters, ordinary citizens, and what it was like for them, to know that when nighttime came the bombing would start again.

Reading this book transported me to England and showed me what a unifying leader Mr. Churchill was, how much the populace loved him and how he walked among the ruins and wept openly. He showed by his actions that he was right there in the battle with his countrymen and kept them inspired and motivated to continue the fight.

This book is as easy to read as fiction but is so educational I think it should be a strongly suggested read for high school students. To look at the war from the UK’s point of view and learn what can be achieved by fighting on in spite of the terrible odds they faced.

There has been so much written about this book but truly this is one of the top 10 books I have read this year, simply amazing!

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. ...more

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Nov 16, 2019 Jeanette (Again) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, europe-and-british-isles, history, four-star-nonfiction, net-galley

Publication day has finally arrived. Enjoy!

Be sure to set aside plenty of time to work your way through this deep exploration of one year in the life of Churchill and those close to him. It will require some patience, but if you're not inclined to read the multi-volume biographies about him, this book is an effective distillation of the man as he navigated his first year as prime minister.

May 10, 1940 through May 10, 1941 was a pivotal year, with the fate of England entirely uncertain and world Publication day has finally arrived. Enjoy!

Be sure to set aside plenty of time to work your way through this deep exploration of one year in the life of Churchill and those close to him. It will require some patience, but if you're not inclined to read the multi-volume biographies about him, this book is an effective distillation of the man as he navigated his first year as prime minister.

May 10, 1940 through May 10, 1941 was a pivotal year, with the fate of England entirely uncertain and world domination by Hitler a frightening possibility. We know now that everything eventually came out right, but at the time that outcome was by no means a given. German invasion by sea appeared likely. Would England be under Nazi occupation like the rest of Europe?
Throughout this year, the English people were repeatedly traumatized by devastating bombing raids. The death toll and destruction was stunning.

What was this year like for Winston Churchill and those close to him? Larson uses diaries, letters, and other historical documents to reconstruct this time for him, his family, aides, and other government figures.

While Winston determined the fate of his country, his eighteen-year-old daughter Mary was doing all the frivolous things wealthy young girls do, war or no war. Falling in love with the wrong boy, going to dances and parties, and visiting her friends in the countryside. His son Randolph was doing what he always did, racking up gambling debts and getting drunk. John Colville, Churchill's private secretary, was suffering over unrequited love. And of course, Lord Beaverbrook tried to resign about a dozen times, when all he really wanted was for Winston to beg him to stay on.

As with any Churchill portrait, his amusing idiosyncrasies and peccadilloes are on full display here. He had to have two baths per day, and the water had to be 98 degrees. He had no body shame and shocked and embarrassed people with his full or partial nudity. Late at night, he put military marches on the gramophone and paraded up and down in his pale-blue onesie, toting his old rifle.
He was a difficult man, irascible, demanding, and moody. But he was also tenderhearted, forgiving, and easily moved to tears.

I came away from this book with a feeling of relief that Churchill was the one at the helm when he was needed most. This was the year that mattered, and he had just the right combination of skills and personality traits to stay the course, juggle strategies, and maintain high morale among the citizens. Hitler and Goring and Goebbels were repeatedly confounded by his unwillingness to surrender or sue for peace. They thought if they just dropped enough bombs, he would have to give in eventually. They severely underestimated his resolve, his resourcefulness, and his patriotism.
KBO was his motto, and KBO he did. ...more

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Jan 21, 2021 Larry rated it it was ok

Finally! I absolutely love Erik Larson’s other works, but I could not seem to get interested in this one. And, I couldn’t figure out why until almost the very end. There were too many story lines, centered around too many people that I found uninteresting, for me to stay with it for more than a few pages at a time. And, having read “In The Garden of Beasts” - which I loved - it seemed like this story was a result of all of the research and notes compiled and left over from that book. Anyway, I’l ...more

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Aug 16, 2020 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it really liked it

Shelves: jon-recluse, library-book, historical

No other British city experienced such losses, but throughout the United Kingdom the total civilian deaths in 1940 and 1941, including those in London, reached 44,652 with another 52,370 injured.

Of the dead, 5,626 were children.

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🖤 ...more

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Apr 10, 2020 Chrissie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audible-uk, bio, england, history, 2020-read, politics, ww2, long, leaders

The book follows one year in the life of Winston Churchill, the first year at his post as prime minister and the initial phase of the Second World War. It takes us through both the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. Starting in May 1940, it moves forward pretty much day by day. Nothing here is conjectured; all that is presented is based on solid fact and diary entries. What isn’t known is not said. It attempts to recreate the day by day happenings of not only Churchill but also those close to him. ...more

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Feb 29, 2020 Faith rated it it was amazing

Shelves: edelweiss, publisher, overdrive, audio, reviewed

In the Sources and Acknowledgements section of this book, the author states “...I set out to hunt for the stories that often get left out of the massive biographies of Churchill, either because there’s no time to tell them or because they seem too frivolous. But it is in frivolity Churchill often revealed himself, the little moments that endeared him to his staff, despite the extreme demands he placed on all.”

This is the kind of history that I like to read, social and political but not primarily In the Sources and Acknowledgements section of this book, the author states “...I set out to hunt for the stories that often get left out of the massive biographies of Churchill, either because there’s no time to tell them or because they seem too frivolous. But it is in frivolity Churchill often revealed himself, the little moments that endeared him to his staff, despite the extreme demands he placed on all.”

This is the kind of history that I like to read, social and political but not primarily military. The book covers the first year that Churchill was prime minister, from May 10, 1940 to May 10, 1941. During that time, the Luftwaffe was attempting to destroy the RAF and then it moved on to the bombing of London to destroy morale and keep England out of the war. Churchill was also trying to convince the United States to provide aid (and ultimately enter the war). This was an uphill battle due to the strong isolationist leanings of many in America. I loved the details about life at No. 10 Downing Street and in England at large. “Citizens brought gas masks to church and began wearing small metal identity disks on bracelets, in case they got blown into unidentifiable pieces. Civil defense pamphlets arrived in mailboxes, describing what to do if a Panzer tank appeared in the neighborhood.” The book gives insight into Churchill’s decisions and his family life. “The Prime Minister also kept snippets of poems and biblical passages in a special ‘keep handy’ file.” These snippets found their way into Churchill’s speeches.

A lot of information came from the diary of John “Jock” Colville, Churchill’s 25 year old private secretary. On one weekend visit to a country estate Colville saw a downed German bomber and then got his wish to witness (from the terrace of the house) an actual air battle among 20 German and British aircraft. Colville and a companion saw planes shot down, pilots parachuting to the ground and bombs setting targets ablaze. Then they played tennis.

I’ve read a little about Churchill, but not nearly enough. There are many (really long) biographies of Churchill, but this book gives a very interesting picture of him during this limited period. When Churchill toured a bomb site, he was described as: “Tough, yes, but at times weeping openly, overcome by the devastation and the resilience of the crowd. In one hand he held a large white handkerchief, with which he mopped his eyes; and his other he grasped the handle of his walking stick.” It was said that he had the ability to transform “the despondent misery of disaster into a grimly certain steppingstone to ultimate victory”. This book is entertaining, it’s informative but not dry. It made me want to learn more, which is the best thing I can say about a history book.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. ...more

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Mar 25, 2020 Kathleen rated it it was amazing

Leadership! Apparently King George VI felt that Churchill had something that the country needed when he appointed him to replace Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in the spring of 1940. Observers, at the time, felt Churchill was “flamboyant, electric, wholly unpredictable” and a questionable choice to be Prime Minister. Larson’s excellent non-fiction account confirms that Churchill was all of that and more. But most of all he was a leader who knew how to move a nation with the force of his pers ...more

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Dec 24, 2019 Marialyce rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-of-2019, netgalley

5 outstanding stars

As always is the case, books by Erik Larson transcend the usual historical novel. This author always goes above and beyond in his books and provides the readers with a story that not only flows smoothly, but also is able to provide facts that are fascinating, erudite, and ultimately educate the reader, in a way that is fascinating and captivating.

There are multiple books about Winston Churchill, but this one merged together flawlessly pieces of his life. Winston had the uncan 5 outstanding stars

As always is the case, books by Erik Larson transcend the usual historical novel. This author always goes above and beyond in his books and provides the readers with a story that not only flows smoothly, but also is able to provide facts that are fascinating, erudite, and ultimately educate the reader, in a way that is fascinating and captivating.

There are multiple books about Winston Churchill, but this one merged together flawlessly pieces of his life. Winston had the uncanny ability to unite a nation that was bombarded with everything Nazi Germany had in its arsenal, but still managed to carry through to victory. It was also a fine tribute to the men and women behind the scenes, those who carried on because of Winston, and those family members who so believed in their husband and father. Winston didn't believe in failure and though there were many, his indomitable spirit seemed to transcend defeat and inspire in the British people that spirit, and drive that nothing could or would crush them.

Winston's character, that tough cigar chomping man who had various idiosyncrasies, was a marvel among men. His spirit and determination led a beleaguered country to its ultimate goal, that of staying a free Britain. He was a masterful leader of people, who made those around him strive for things it seemed impossible to achieve. The populace adored him, as he made himself one of them, walking through the ruins of war so gallantly and heroically, delivering speeches to the people, standing tall in the face of an imminent defeat. He was the man England needed and he pushed through valiantly, providing his nation with the spirit and determination it so needed in its hour of darkness. “Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the hard may be; for without victory there is no survival.”

If you are at all interested in history, in a man, in a country that stood up to what others might have claimed as unbeatable odds this book is one for you. I recommend it most highly for its authentic look at a man and a time that should always be viewed as the epitome of the human spirit.

Thank you to Erik Larson, Crown Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this fabulous book due out February 25, 2020. ...more

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Nov 22, 2019 Joy D rated it it was amazing

Shelves: europe, zck, reviewed, non-fiction, wwii, arc, history, 2019-top-25, favorites

I have always admired the British for standing up to Hitler’s forces in WWII, after almost all of Europe had fallen under Nazi control. How did they endure the almost nightly bombing raids? This book focuses on Churchill’s first year (1940-1941) as British Prime Minister, the Battle of Britain, and what life was like for Churchill, his family, and his inner circle. As Larson states in his introductory notes to readers:

“Mine is a more intimate account that delves into how Churchill and his circl I have always admired the British for standing up to Hitler’s forces in WWII, after almost all of Europe had fallen under Nazi control. How did they endure the almost nightly bombing raids? This book focuses on Churchill’s first year (1940-1941) as British Prime Minister, the Battle of Britain, and what life was like for Churchill, his family, and his inner circle. As Larson states in his introductory notes to readers:

“Mine is a more intimate account that delves into how Churchill and his circle went about surviving on a daily basis: the dark moments and the light, the romantic entanglements and debacles, the sorrows and laughter, and the odd little episodes that reveal how life was really lived under Hitler’s tempest of steel.”

Larson draws upon memoirs, diaries, letters, recently declassified material, and many other sources documented in the appendix. He artfully weaves personal stories into the larger tapestry of significant events, Churchill’s famous speeches, and the escalating war with Nazi Germany. He shows Churchill’s active pursuit of involvement by the United States, along with the obstacles. The reader gains insight into Churchill as a person, including his leadership style, daily routines, and eccentricities.

Mary Churchill’s diary and previously unpublished excerpts from John Colville’s journal provide material for many personal anecdotes. I found it interesting that Mary, Churchill’s seventeen-year-old daughter, acts as most would expect of an adventurous teen, even while her parents try to protect her by sending her away from London. Larson also mines German sources, such as Goebbels’ journal and fighter pilot Adolf Galland’s recollections.

A few highlights include:
- The need to camouflage Chequers, the country house supplied to the Prime Minister, where he entertained family, colleagues, and dignitaries
- Professor Frederick Lindemann’s scientific ideas to assist in the war effort
- Rudolf Hess’ flight to Scotland

The Splendid and the Vile is a masterful work of narrative non-fiction and is up to the high standards I have come to expect from Erik Larson. I have previously read five of the author’s works and this one is of the same superior quality. Larson puts the “story” in history. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy. This book is scheduled to be released February 25, 2020. ...more

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Jul 07, 2020 Barbara rated it it was amazing

I have read a fair amount about Churchill, the bombings of Great Britain, and the relationship between Churchill and Roosevelt (not to mention having viewed many movies and documentaries). While there is necessarily some factual overlap, I found this book, told mainly through the lens of the Churchill family, to be a fresh and intimate account of those dark days. John Lee did a great job narrating the audio version. His voice really brought Churchill alive. I knew of Churchill's intelligence but ...more

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Sep 29, 2020 Anne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, ww2, non-fiction, britain, audible, germany

I've read many accounts about WWII and the Blitz, but what Eric Larson did so supremely well with this book, much of which was new to me, was to provides the fascinating inside story of the personal lives of Churchill, his family and the people who worked close with him, including 2 American aides. These details could be funny , poignant or just informative; they read like gossip from People magazine - engagements, marriages, childbirth, love affairs, breakups, unrequited love, broken hearts, te I've read many accounts about WWII and the Blitz, but what Eric Larson did so supremely well with this book, much of which was new to me, was to provides the fascinating inside story of the personal lives of Churchill, his family and the people who worked close with him, including 2 American aides. These details could be funny , poignant or just informative; they read like gossip from People magazine - engagements, marriages, childbirth, love affairs, breakups, unrequited love, broken hearts, temper tantrums (Churchill's), and parties. Lots of parties. Thank goodness people kept personal diaries in those days. These personal details mixed in with the accounts of the bombing of London, Churchill hoping anxiously for more and more aid from America, and England's reprisal attacks on Germany made the book so compelling even though I already knew the ending.

I've read about the courage and optimism of the British people during this time but Larson shows us how responsible Churchill was for these. HIs radio speeches were always truthful but full of optimism. He was beloved by the people. He would often make it a point to visit a site which had just been bombed the night before and would get rounds of applause and cheers from people who had just lost their homes and perhaps loved ones.

I'm so thankful that the English people had Churchill as their leader during this war because he was such a beacon of optimism and held the country and it's people together under such trying times. Churchill was only human and did not have the proverbial English stiff upper life. He held the weight of this war on his shoulders and during hard times his spirits would flag and he would need bolstering in order to regain his optimism. This could happen through receiving good news, a talk with a close friend and associate, a bath (he took 2 a day) or having his most trusted advisors and friends over for dinner and staying up until 2 at night singing and dancing much to the dismay of many who preferred to be in bed but stayed up out of politeness.

Despite the report of death tolls and the details of the bombing raids this novel is so full of optimism, fun and of a country unified that I often had a feeling of wanting to have been there! I suppose that may have something to do with our country's (and the world's) current crisis and how our country is currently being led. ...more

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Jul 28, 2020 Holly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-read, non-fiction

As an aside, I was a little depressed by how resilient the British people were during this awful time for their country. They willingly blacked out their windows for safety in the evening, suffered through sleepless nights in air raid shelters during bombings, and then woke up and then went to work the next morning or helped cleanup/retrieve the dead on a volunteer basis. Meanwhile the Americans were selfish jerks who refused to help Britain in any meaningful way until the bombing of Pearl Harbo ...more

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Mar 09, 2020 Sue rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: britain, history, net-galley, non-fiction, wwii, read-2020

Larsen has written an intimate portrait of Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister of Britain, undertaking his duties as Hitler and Germany resolve to break the island nation to their will. He writes of Churchill himself, his peculiarities, his resilience, his dogged determination to obtain assistance from Roosevelt and the United States. Additionally, he adds details from the viewpoints and the lives of Winston’s daughter, Mary, a somewhat starry-eyed eighteen year old, son Randolph, a married ...more

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Jul 30, 2020 Judith E rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audible, non-fiction

Articulate, charismatic, courageous, honorable, inspiring, admirable, well informed, and someone to trust for guidance - these are a few of the characteristics Winston Churchill imparted to the British while the German Luftwaffe incessantly bombed their Britain.

As usual. Erik Larsen has written his account scouring a barage of documentation that includes personal diaries, military statistics, autobiographies and more. He gives the reader a flavor not only for the air battle but also for the inn ...more

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Sep 18, 2020 John rated it it was amazing

Wow! What a fantastic book. I had read some of the history of the Blitz, but nothing with this type of depth. It depicts a city and country under horrible siege. It further depicts a country and its people's resilience to the horror.

Larson's work focuses on Churchill, yet gives the reader feeling for the impact of the years of the Blitz on his close associates, immediate family, and the country as a whole. He also delves into the mindset of the German leaders and their anticipated outcome of bo ...more

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Nov 29, 2020 Ian rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: wwii, war-history, 4-star-non-fiction, biography

Initially I wasn’t going to read this as I felt I’d read enough on this period in British history. I changed my mind after seeing the number of favourable reviews the book has received. To borrow a word from the title, this book is splendidly readable. My edition has about 500 pages, not including the notes, bibliography and index, but I whizzed through it.

I’ve said in other reviews that Britain was incredibly lucky to have had Churchill as leader in 1940. The margin between survival and defeat Initially I wasn’t going to read this as I felt I’d read enough on this period in British history. I changed my mind after seeing the number of favourable reviews the book has received. To borrow a word from the title, this book is splendidly readable. My edition has about 500 pages, not including the notes, bibliography and index, but I whizzed through it.

I’ve said in other reviews that Britain was incredibly lucky to have had Churchill as leader in 1940. The margin between survival and defeat was a very thin one and this was a genuine case of where leadership made the difference. The book focuses on Churchill and his inner circle during the period of May 1940 – May 1941, and how they coped during a period of constant military reverses and nightly bombing of the country’s cities by the Luftwaffe. Substantial parts of the book are quite gossipy, focusing on the personal lives of Churchill’s children and entourage. This is deliberate on the part of the author - he says at the outset that he wanted the book to be a different slant on the study of Churchill in 1940, a subject that has otherwise been exhaustively covered. I was surprised though that he made no mention of the “War Cabinet Crisis” of 27/28 May 1940, when Lord Halifax suggested Britain should seek terms from Nazi Germany. That must have been a stressful time for Churchill.

The book’s other main theme is a study of London during the Blitz. There are some remarkable descriptions of the period, such as the number of accidents that occurred because of the blackout. There were also marked changes in sexual behaviour. Faced with the possibility of an early death, married people had affairs and young people threw caution away. An actress, Theodora Rosling, wrote of the Blitz:

“It was God’s gift to naughty girls, for from the moment the sirens went, they were not expected to get home until morning when the ‘all clear’ sounded. In fact, they were urged to stay where they were … Young people were reluctant to contemplate death without having shared their bodies with someone else. It was sex at its sweetest: not for money or marriage, but for love of being alive...”

I was astonished to read that the annual debutantes’ ball, at which aristocratic young women were “presented” to society, took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in March 1941, during the middle of a massive air raid. That’s one of the most stereotypically British things I’ve ever read. Another was a description of Churchill, Colville and others falling about laughing whilst watching a German newsreel of a meeting between Hitler and Mussolini at the Brenner Pass, with the two dictators strutting about and giving each other fascist salutes, “funnier than anything Charlie Chaplin produced in The Great Dictator”, according to Colville. In its descriptions of the Blitz though, the book’s focus on Churchill’s inner circle means that we hear more of the voices of the elite than of ordinary Londoners.

If there was ever a case of “cometh the hour, cometh the man” it was Churchill in 1940. This is an entertaining and novel addition to the voluminous body of work about the man and his time.

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Feb 22, 2020 Michael rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: england, world-war-2, family-relationships, netgalley, london, biography, history, aviation, germany

A common reaction to this title is “why in heaven do we need another book about Churchill and the Battle of Britain?” For me, knowing Larson’s talent for homing in on obscure human stories amid historical events, I could only rush to dive in and see what he picked up on and how it could achieve fresh revelations. Despite my fairly recent reads of the Manchester/Reid biographical trilogy on Churchill and Korda’s history of the Battle of Britain, “On Wings of Eagles”, I was well satisfied with thi A common reaction to this title is “why in heaven do we need another book about Churchill and the Battle of Britain?” For me, knowing Larson’s talent for homing in on obscure human stories amid historical events, I could only rush to dive in and see what he picked up on and how it could achieve fresh revelations. Despite my fairly recent reads of the Manchester/Reid biographical trilogy on Churchill and Korda’s history of the Battle of Britain, “On Wings of Eagles”, I was well satisfied with this tour of the daily life of Churchill’s inner circle and family during his first year as Prime Minister starting in May 1940. We get a portrait of adaptation and resilience of individuals putting up a last stand of defiance in the face of Hitler’s takeover of most of Europe. And somehow, despite the horrors of the long bombing campaign by the Luftwaffe, pursuing the simple pleasures of life and love in the intervals they could steal.

Churchill’s leadership and the adoption by the populace of widespread volunteerism and the attitudes of “soldiering on” go hand in hand, each inspiring the other. Just what we would wish we could have for the COVID pandemic. It is fitting that NY Governor Cuomo has effectively shared Churchill quotations for inspiration, including:

"Never was so much owed by so many to so few”—with respect to first responders and health care staff being saviors like the RAF and air defense staff

“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning”—with respect to first signs of a plateau in new cases being like a hopeful phase in a war destined to last much longer

Larson forges his own path for explicating Churchill’s personality in relationship to his leadership qualities. Behind the clever tactician and ambitious wheeler-dealer, we experience his rollercoasters of mood from humor and delight to blackdog despairs and sense of affront when thwarted. Larson leavens his story with choice examples of Churchill’s episodes of casual nudity, of his child-like breaking out into song or dance, and of sudden tears in response to basic kindness of ordinary people: The child never left the man..

A key factor in his success was his inspiration of loyalty and trust in a special set of people in his inner circle. His minister of war production, Max Beaverbook, and scientific advisor and Oxford physicist Frederick Lindemann, get the most air time in the narrative. Churchill sanctioned Beaverbrook to wield incredible power to appropriate facilities and supplies for aircraft manufacturing, often at the expense of other wartime industries, making it possible for the RAF to keep up in the war of attrition with the Luftwaffe. Despite continually submitting resignations in order to leverage getting his way, Churchill always forgave him while giving in.

Like Beaverbrook, Lindemann (the “Prof”) was disliked by many for a comparable arrogance and irascibility, yet was welcomed as a virtual member of the Churchill household for countless evenings and weekends. Though his main job was running a department of statistics charged with assessing British and German military capacity, he was given ”license to explore any scientific , technical, or economic matter that might influence the progress of the war”. Many of the schemes he cooked up captured the childlike imagination of Churchill, who then pressed for investing resources on them. Dropping bombs by parachute in front of German bombers was one such scheme that proved ineffective. By contrast, the Prof’s support of a former student’s inferences about the German use of a radar guidance system for night-time bombing, dismissed by the Air Command as impossible, proved to be true, opening paths for countering their system.

The true strength of Larson’s narrative are the portraits he paints of his young personal assistant John Colville (“Jock”), Churchill’s teenaged daughter Mary, and his daughter-in-law, Mary. New material Larson mines for his narrative include an unpublished memoir by Colville, who was in his early 20s, as well as other personal diaries of ordinary Brits. The details on their everyday activities, aspirations, and romantic lives helps me understand much better how the Brit’s could sustain the desperate prospects of their nation and daily threats from bombing in this period. Korda in his account of the Battle of Britain covered how some Brits would keep golfing during an air raid, which was a mystery to me. Now I comprehend better Mandel’s dictum that “survival is not enough” in her post-apocalyptic tale, “Station Eleven.” Such understanding is well worth bearing in mind during the current pandemic.

This book was provided by the publisher for review through the Netgalley program.
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Apr 23, 2020 Jill Hutchinson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: world-history, my-classics, wwi-wwii, military-history, biography

What can I possibly say that hasn't already been said by the hundreds of reviewers of this book! Superb comes to mind....masterful....enthralling....future classic.....WOW!!! Erik Larson has taken his place in literary history with his series of books which seem to just be getting better as time goes by. His research appears to be infallible and often doesn't depend on the usual sources.

if your are a particular lover of all things Churchill, it sometimes is hard to find a book that offers new in ...more

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Dec 15, 2019 Tammy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Who was Winston Churchill? He was irascible, mischievous, mercurial, politician extraordinaire, an iconic statesman, brilliant orator, prone to eccentric sartorial choices during his personal time, husband, father, and father-in-law. Most importantly, he was a strong and decisive leader. The Blitz occurred during his first year as Prime Minister and he united the British people as they faced the most serious threat to freedom. Larson’s book provides a singular and superior perspective of the man ...more

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Nov 17, 2020 Maureen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction

This is a powerful, intense non fiction book about Winston Churchill's first year as Prime Minister.
It is eloquently written. Erik Larson is my favorite author of non-fiction. He did extensive research for this book. We learn of the everyday lives of the Churchill family, including Mary his daughter. Mary kept a diary and exposes her observations of her father. There are amazing stories within this book.
I learned much about Winston Churchill the man.
Winston Churchill became Prime Minister on the ...more

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May 10, 2020 Jeanette rated it it was amazing

This starts dense and difficult and as you progress it gets: better, better, better, best, beyond best, phenomenal!

Really, this author is a master at putting you into Chequers and the "group". 90% of the read is within the period 1940-41. It's the years just before the war and the first 2-1/2 years primarily from the view and within 10 Downing St. And London, Coventry, Plymouth, and various places between are depicted to a quality you can "live". Seriously, this goes beyond every WWII from Allie This starts dense and difficult and as you progress it gets: better, better, better, best, beyond best, phenomenal!

Really, this author is a master at putting you into Chequers and the "group". 90% of the read is within the period 1940-41. It's the years just before the war and the first 2-1/2 years primarily from the view and within 10 Downing St. And London, Coventry, Plymouth, and various places between are depicted to a quality you can "live". Seriously, this goes beyond every WWII from Allies criteria in any angle you could describe. BETTER. People, people ditch all your WWII fiction bilge and get to read what the folks thought, felt, DID.

The last 14% or so is all reference material for this superb, sublime non-fiction work. You could spend a lifetime just following those original diaries/documents/materials pearls to their original writers' witnesses. This book is nearly entirely in the realm of "eyes" that saw and lived it. It is NOT interpreted nor widened to theory of any sort of OVERSIGHT "know better" either. It's blushes and dimples-as well as all the warts and pimples. There are at least 20 people who become individual core and body KNOWN. Churchill is not the only prime or primary of these either. Not at all.

All those quotes that some of us of age have known for 75 years or just less- they are put into their context of speech, place, nuance. Some of this is beyond enlightening.

How in such times did such positive hurrah, relativity, sometimes absolute hilarity SURVIVE and THRIVE. And among such "gentle" or elite of material? It's purely astounding. The tale which imparts those years re Lord Max Beaverbrook as Minister of Aircraft Production (only one of his titles after/during/between 16 or 18 various letters of resignation) is a gem of a history detail book in itself. And others outside of the family as much of their import, maybe more. And Mary and Randolph and Pamela and Clemintine! Not to begin here also the "other". We go within the German inside "eyes" during various BERLIN chapters of "answer". I knew about Hess's "flight" but not the details. It's beyond believable that he survived and his aftermath even more incredulous. I knew but I did not KNOW.

Yes, the book also gives an Epilogue section to let you know about the period beyond Roosevelt joining the bash. And to their later years and marital or lovelife affinities, as well. Even to the points of who got contact lens and did end up within fighting RAF planes/ missions. And what May-December romance affair ended up 30 or 4o years later with an older age marriage after a lifetime being apart.

And Mary? What a shock! And don't ever tell in lecture/ preach mode that smoking, drinking, almost entire risk taking with almost no aversion at all to "safety" are horrid and destructive habits. Or defer all possible top notch performances possible either. Or that frugal habits are much of a plus for the long or the short run. Actually I had no idea of the Churchill household solvency state myself. It was shocking.

It's hard to get into this but, folks! Read it. WWII in this "England alone" period has some IMMENSE comparisons to the present period too. Some of you may start to understand what that means.

Read it. At points I couldn't even swallow my own spit. It's after 40% that it gets INTENSE, so give it some time and the effort of such effete and convoluted beginnings.

All his are good to great. This one is great plus- 6 stars. ...more

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Aug 23, 2020 Libby rated it really liked it

Shelves: history, political, non-fiction, published-in-2020, world-war-two, read-in-2020, government

This is my second book by Erik Larson and I found my reading to be both timely and absorbing, albeit at times challenging. Challenging because non-fiction is not my first love, but I find myself much more interested in history these days and whatever light it may shed on our present time. Timely because Larson’s detailed research reveals an intense study of Winston Churchill as a capable and effective leader during Great Britain’s trial by fire, Germany’s blistering bombing raids during1940 and This is my second book by Erik Larson and I found my reading to be both timely and absorbing, albeit at times challenging. Challenging because non-fiction is not my first love, but I find myself much more interested in history these days and whatever light it may shed on our present time. Timely because Larson’s detailed research reveals an intense study of Winston Churchill as a capable and effective leader during Great Britain’s trial by fire, Germany’s blistering bombing raids during1940 and 1941. “When the Blitz came to an end, nearly 29,000 of its citizens were killed, and 28,556 seriously injured.” . I don’t think any reader can read this book and fail to contrast the traits of effective leadership that Churchill exhibited with those that are on display in government here in the US and all over the world today. Absorbing because Larson brings to life brilliant characters with all their emotions, strengths, and flaws.

Words can appeal to the baser, dark side of humanity just as Hitler’s speeches did in leading Germans to commit the mass murder of millions. But better are those skillful orators such as Winston Churchill who can rouse people to purposeful action and inspire genuine hope during the darkest night of the soul or of a country. Words do matter, especially when they are leavened with truth and integrity. Churchill’s words moved a nation, a nation that was brought to the precipice of annihilation. Reading Churchill’s words and speeches in the context of what was happening at the time brought chill bumps. I felt the timbre of his extraordinarily unique voice echoing the words across the years, as resonate and dynamically meaningful now as they were then.

An important facet of Churchill’s capable leadership was his ability to delegate to intelligent, trustworthy individuals. Lord Beaverbrook, Churchill’s designee to head up his newly created Ministry of Aircraft Production, was brilliantly described by Larson, as “a man who drew controversy the way steeples draw lightning.” Beaverbrook kept aircraft production at a maximum level, creating his share of enemies by commandeering supplies from other ministries, but this was what it took to keep the RAF airborne and fighting Germany’s Luftwaffe. General Hastings Lionel Ismay was Churchill’s chief military assistant and served as a calming influence. He was known as Pug Ismay, Larson writes, for the canine appearance of his face. John Colville, Churchill’s private secretary, kept a diary, and his observations were candid and enlightening.

Winston Churchill’s daughter, Mary also kept a diary and her observations of her father and of the Churchill family’s lifestyle are revealing. She attended parties while not many blocks away bombs would be falling. She would scold herself for her happiness while other people were suffering, but she was only seventeen and eighteen as these years unfolded. Mary was still growing into the maturity that would soon see her working for the Women’s Voluntary Service. Larson makes apparent that Winston Churchill always carried a heavy burden for what was happening to his country and the people, for the loss of life and property. He and his wife, Clementine often toured the countryside to see the damage and be among the people.

This is a wonderful book for any history lover, but especially those who are interested in WWll. I sometimes got lulled by Larson’s penchant for detail, but the vibrant and energetic Winston Churchill would jump from the page in his siren suit twirling Johnny Walker’s Red Label and spouting poetry and reel me in.
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Goodreads Choice ...: The Splendid and the Vile - February 2021	18	71	Feb 27, 2021 05:27PM
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Play Book Tag: The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz - Erik Larson - 4 stars	6	31	Dec 08, 2020 04:25PM
Historical Fictio...: November 2020 - The Splendid and the Vile - SPOILER THREAD	4	42	Dec 06, 2020 09:56AM
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The History Book ...: * WE ARE OPEN - BUDDY READ - THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE: A SAGA OF CHURCHILL, FAMILY, AND DEFIANCE DURING THE BLITZ - DISCUSSION THREAD (No Spoilers, please)	361	214	Nov 11, 2020 06:14PM

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About Erik Larson

Erik Larson

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Erik Larson’s latest work of narrative nonfiction is DEAD WAKE: THE LAST CROSSING OF THE LUSITANIA, which became an immediate New York Times bestseller. His saga of the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and won an Edgar Award for fact-crime writing, and lingered on various NYT best-seller lists for the better part of a decade. Hu ...more