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

Erik Larson

Start date: August 1, 2020

Finish date: August 30, 2020

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September-October 2025: The River Knows Your Name
By Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴… , Founding Retro Chick · 20 posts · 12 views

last updated Oct 15, 2025 04:51AM

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What Members Thought

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

Shelves: library-book, historical, jon-recluse

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

84 likes · Like · see review

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

43 likes · Like · see review

Aug 23, 2020 Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: history-non-fiction

Exceptionally well researched. I knew quite a bit about the Blitz but learned so much about Churchill & his family during this period of WWII history.l

6 likes · Like · see review

Dec 26, 2020 ˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜ rated it really liked it

Shelves: history, in-person-book-club

I learned a lot from this book. I didn’t realize the extent of the bombing London and surrounding areas endured during the May 1940 until May 1941. I can’t imagine the horror of it. How Churchill was able to mobilize his country under these conditions is amazing. I didn’t know that Jamaica donated money for building planes; good for them. I didn’t know that Churchill’s young daughter, Mary, was so articulate and that she accompanied him on some of his wartime travels.

The research that was evide ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jul 17, 2020 Joanne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: pbt-2020-poll-ballot, non-fiction-history-read, wwii-read

You might be thinking: "Oh, another WWII book" or "What more can be written about Churchill". Put those thoughts out of your head. This book, although telling a story about WWII, examines the more personal side of the war and the residents of Great Britain, among them Churchill's family and cronies. I especially enjoyed the bits about his wife and children, who have been left out of so many of the books I previously read.

This is not a biography of Churchill. It is the story of only 1 year. His f ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 10, 2020 Lory Sakay rated it liked it

Shelves: book-club-reads

Okay, while I can't say that I adore Larson's style of writing, it is definitely unique and wow does this man do tons of research on the topic he's writing about. His alternate recounting of historical fact and personalization of historical characters brings a certain humanity and reality to the War experience, very different from just reciting the facts. Even so, I would have likely not picked up this book if it were not for the encouragement of a Book Movement group read. Participating in this Okay, while I can't say that I adore Larson's style of writing, it is definitely unique and wow does this man do tons of research on the topic he's writing about. His alternate recounting of historical fact and personalization of historical characters brings a certain humanity and reality to the War experience, very different from just reciting the facts. Even so, I would have likely not picked up this book if it were not for the encouragement of a Book Movement group read. Participating in this group read truly helped me delve into Larson's dense writing, further appreciate his style, and learn a whole heck of a lot about Churchill and England's role in WWII. Having access to varying reader perspectives, experiences, and knowledge as we met weekly to discuss each segment of the book, was intriguing and beneficial as I effectively pored through sooo many facts and personalities chronicled page by page. Furthermore, jointly reading the Splendid and the Vile during this time of Coronavirus, quarantine, and national unrest also allowed for a fuller, more in-depth discussion of socially relevant contrast and comparison of government, citizen response, and leadership.

I'd like to add that Larson's savvy title was one of the factors that resonated the most with me, borrowed from one of John Colville's diary entries (many diarists were quoted throughout the book, sharing valuable, individual citizen perspectives during this tumultuous time in England). Larson skillfully reflected many of the historical events as being analogous to the "natural splendor and human vileness" of the times. The War did not eliminate moments of pleasure, awe, and vivaciousness; there were, in many's eyes, silver linings among the clouds. Very, very clever and a theme I became very attuned to throughout.

If you are a WWII and historical enthusiast you would likely enjoy this book much more than I did. Nonetheless, despite often feeling like I was reading for a college course, I liked it more than I thought I would and thoroughly enjoyed discussing it with others. ...more

1 like · Like · see review