#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Devil in the White City and Dead Wake delivers an intimate chronicle of Winston Churchill and London during the Blitz—an inspiring portrait of courage and leadership in a time of unprecedented crisis “One of [Erik Larson’s] best books yet . . . perfectly timed for the moment.”—Time • “A bravura performance by one of America’s greatest … performance by one of America’s greatest storytellers.”—NPR
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review • Time • Vogue • NPR • The Washington Post • Chicago Tribune • The Globe & Mail • Fortune • Bloomberg • New York Post • The New York Public Library • Kirkus Reviews • LibraryReads • PopMatters
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 Franklin Roosevelt that Britain was a worthy ally—and willing to fight to the end.
In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson shows, in cinematic detail, how Churchill taught the British people “the art of being fearless.” It is a story of political brinkmanship, but it’s also an intimate domestic drama, set against the backdrop of Churchill’s prime-ministerial country home, Chequers; his wartime retreat, Ditchley, where he and his entourage go when the moon is brightest and the bombing threat is highest; and of course 10 Downing Street in London. Drawing on diaries, original archival documents, and once-secret intelligence reports—some released only recently—Larson provides a new lens on London’s darkest year through the day-to-day experience of Churchill and his family: his wife, Clementine; their youngest daughter, Mary, who chafes against her parents’ wartime protectiveness; their son, Randolph, and his beautiful, unhappy wife, Pamela; Pamela’s illicit lover, a dashing American emissary; and the advisers in Churchill’s “Secret Circle,” to whom he turns in the hardest moments.
The Splendid and the Vile takes readers out of today’s political dysfunction and back to a time of true leadership, when, in the face of unrelenting horror, Churchill’s eloquence, courage, and perseverance bound a country, and a family, together.
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It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Erik Larson. One of my favorite books is his “In the Garden of Beasts.” His latest, “The Splendid and the Vile” is now another favorite. His writing is so crisp, so engaging that I simply cannot put his books down. As we persevere through the COVID19 pandemic, we can learn a lot from Churchill’s leadership and the fortitude of the British people. We can and WILL triumph. Pick up/download this book. You’ll love it.
I paid full retail-price for the Kindle version of this book (maybe $14?). Why? Because Erik Larson wrote it. It’s central topic surrounds Winston Churchill and what happened in England during the 1st year of WW2. As an author who’s written numerous novels about WW2, I’ve probably read several hundred books about WW2, and at least a dozen about Churchill. So, why did I buy/read this book? Because Erik Larson wrote it. He’s just THAT good. I’ve loved every book of his I’ve read, and this one did not disappoint. He zeroes in on rarely-covered angles and perspectives in his historical non-fiction books and does so in such an enjoyable way. I think the phrase “reads like a novel” must have been coined by someone reading an Erik Larson non-fiction book. Highly recommended.
A truly gripping book. THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE tells the story of Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister, when he taught England how to be fearless in the face of an uncertain future. A great read for the present moment.
A remarkable, exceptional book. I haven’t read a lot of history books since college because they’re often so dry, but even the title of this screamed new and different to me. And I was rewarded. Erik Larson has a true talent for narrative nonfiction. He brings Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister to life by bringing us inside the family and aides who knew Churchill best, and by letting us experience the fear and resilience of the British during the Blitz. I loved this one.
A timely book about a great character in history: Winston Churchill.
As always, it is meticulously researched and gives you the feel you are reading a novel because the characters come to life.
How Churchill inspired the British people in a dark time period is something we could all learn from and take solace.
I have a theory that most truly great leaders have experienced failure in their earlier lives, learned from the failure, changed and became better people. Churchill’s WWI and early war WWII experiences would break many a lesser man. He became the better for it and Erik Larson expertly lays out how.
Highly recommended.
Although Churchill was far from perfect—he was in fact prone to devastating bouts of depression and could be petulant and determined in his grudges against his detractors (although he was not a petty, vengeful man)–but I found it to be a truly inspirational read. It reminds the reader of what true leadership can look like when captained by an individual of wit, intelligence and compassion. Most importantly he built his cabinet using highly capable, learned and experienced men and women who were encouraged to give their opinions whether Churchill agreed with them or not. He challenged his cabinet to correct his mistakes or misconceptions–the sign of a truly great leader.
historical-places-events, historical-research, history, nonfiction, Great Britain
I wouldn’t normally read a book about Churchill because of his causing the Anzac massacre at Gallipoli, but this author is known for meticulous research and crediting. This intense scrutiny of the man, his aides and allies, family, and the people of Great Britain during a time for the space of a year when they were under fire in every sense of the word. Hitler and his minions were going about their murderous business, France fell, and the Americans had their heads in the sand. This book humanizes not only Churchill but those around him as well. I was surprised to find myself reading on for long periods of time. It’s that well written.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crown Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
This book is superb on every level. Recommended for history buffs–or anyone else or enjoys a rousing, rip-roaring story.
‘The Splendid And The Vile’ is a nonfiction historical book, highly researched using hundreds of diaries to build the scenes with accurate dialogue and emotions as the story unfolds. Winston Churchill deservedly went down in history as a strong stubborn leader. This 503 pages, (not counting the 83 pages of documented research and bibliography), of lively detailed history reveals Churchill as we’ve never known him before. His family, marriage and the British citizen’s depth of courage during the German Blitz read like a thriller rather than well written history. It was my book club’s wise book choice for this month, or I probably would not have attempted to read it. I am so glad I did.
Once again, Erik Larson makes history come alive, this time choosing as his canvas the first year of Winston Churchill’s tenure as Prime Minister, during the Blitz. Military history is the background for an intimate portrait of Churchill and those in his orbit: family members, secretaries, and ministers alike. It’s a rousing story combined with a nuanced character study.
The book is a captivating tale of a period of crisis and the remarkable person perfectly suited to handling it. I feel it’s Larson’s best work yet.
The most inspirational book which I have read in years, maybe ever. The book will change you. It has lessons for each of us. How fears can be subdued with strong doses of perseverance. How impossible odds become possible with sustained persistence. And how strong leadership and courage are absent today, having vanished from our societies. Larson’s book will grip you, but force yourself to pace your reading. This is a book which must be savored over many evenings, like the finest of wines.
Erik Larson possesses this marvelous ability to make history not only interesting and approachable, but also relevant. His research shines in direct quotes and primary sources, but it’s the presentation that makes his books so readable.
This latest book by Larson, The Splendid and the Vile, tells of the early days of Winston Churchill’s time as Prime Minister during World War II when his leadership and bravery guided a nation – and the free world – facing attack and evil. Instead of academically analyzing, Larson places the action firmly on British soil. The events are expressed through the eyes of normal people like a housewife hunkering in a shelled-out dwelling to Churchill’s own dance-crazy daughter. Churchill’s great speeches give chills. Through this book. Winston Churchill and the “Great Generation” can continue to encourage this and future generations.
This book should be required reading for every American. Growing up in WWII, I knew about Britain’s fight for survival but certainly not to what depth! A lesson in strength and perseverance. With all his eccentricities, Winston Churchill was definitely in his God appointed place in history. The evil of Naziism should be a lesson to all. Ass usual, the author did more than due diligence in his research.
Amazing look into Churchill and a pivotal moment in world history. Outstanding.
A compelling read about Churchill from his first days as Prime Minister near the beginning of WWII until the attack on Pearl Harbor. Churchill comes off as indomitable, mythic, almost holding London and England together by force of his will, though he himself said that he merely helped Londoners *find* the courage they already had. He could feel frustration and despair–but in action he was not able to be swayed. The book includes various subplots–his daughter Mary’s foolish behavior and near-engagement, the failure of his son’s marriage to Pamela (later Harriman), Hess’s bizarre solo flight in 1941 to try to convince Churchill to concede defeat, and various American personages’ trips to England, and Goebbels’ vicious wielding of the media to discourage England and plant outright lies.
To some extent I felt Larson portrayed Churchill as a “shining example” vis-a-vis the current political leadership, and I found myself aware of this as I read, beginning with the inside cover copy which concludes: “[This book] takes readers out of today’s political dysfunction and back to a time of true leadership, when–in the face of unrelenting horror–Churchill’s eloquence, courage and perseverance bound a country, and a family, together.”
Much has been written about Churchill, in non-fiction and fiction, and I appreciated the careful research into personal letters and diaries. Larson “found” his own Churchill, different from other accounts I’ve read. This book is well-researched history, told with the suspense and accessible, elegant language of a good novel. Yes, it’s 500 pages, but it was a page-turner for me.
Erik Larson is wonderful! If he wrote a history of Jell-O I would read it. Anyone not familiar with his work needs to get on board now. ?
I swear, Erik Larson can do no wrong! And this made me love Winnie even more than I already did.
A very detailed look at the first year of Churchill’s time as Prime Minister. I got a new perspective on Churchill himself, as well as the many people that made up his inner circle as well as his family. The details on how the British adapted to the German air attacks, as well as the German plans and decisions gave me some new information I had not previously read.
Excellent details of the beginning of WWII for England and rise of Winston Churchill. Intimate family and friend details (many from diary entries) are mixed with the bombing raids that decimated London and other cities. Details are told from the German side as well, so you get a broad spectrum of the human factor and frame of mind, the readiness of attack, and so forth. I admired Churchill before, but now even more. And his wife should be lauded for her part in handling her volatile husband, and helping the bombed-out city. Well done.
Earlier in my life, I’d have never guessed I would seek out history books for pleasure. Erik Larson changed that. Even though I’ve long been fascinated by Winston Churchill, I doubt a book about him would have ever made it to the front of my queue without this one.
Another well-crafted and important story to pull you in. And like me, you might hear it differently having lived through these past several years of world health and political drama.