I am a huge fan of Erik Larson. His work reads like fiction, it draws you in and it leaves you wanting more. The Splendid and the Vile did not disappoint.

The book shows a very human side of Winston Churchill. Larson shows us his quirks, his faults, his detractors and his doubts in a carefully researched dive into his first year as Prime Minister. We also get a peek at his family life and life inside 10 Downing Street.

Larson's prose reads like fiction. This book is fast paced, gritty and suspenseful as we wait with England for aid from the US. This is impressive writing considering we all know what happened on December 7, 1941.

I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

This a fascinating and firsthand look at one of the most crucial times in world history - during World War II and Winston Churchill’s first year as prime minister of Britain from May 10, 1940 to May 10, 1941. Erik Larson describes the book as a “more intimate account” and that is so apt. This is quite an amazing feat - recreating the intensity, emotion, drive, stress, and leadership that all coalesced into Churchill the person - warts and all. At a time when Britain was virtually being boxed into a corner, pummeled by Hitler’s air force night after night, it is a miracle that Britain was able to survive. Plucky and courageous Brits with their stiff upper lip and understatement of “ carry on” found Churchill an inspiring, motivating, and fearless leader that propelled them into holding their own despite being the underdog for many reasons. Larson leads us through Churchill’s first year - from interactions with his family, Cabinet, the intrigues, attempts to get the U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt to help Britain - we see Churchill in all his glory and idiosyncrasies, which I won’t give away here. We also get the perspectives of his close colleagues, detractors, and family - particularly from his wife, Clementine and daughter, Mary. While the war swirled around him, he had to deal with the antics of his son Randolph who was rather an embarrassment with his constant debts - how that must have devastated Churchill, and yet he did everything he could to be supportive and help him. All in all, Larson does a jolly good job with his meticulous research bringing to light that first crucial year of Churchill’s prime ministership - a year that probably no one would have ever wanted to have but was dealt to Churchill. It’s hard to imagine anyone else but Churchill being able to rise to the occasion to lead Britain in one of the most crucial years in history. The book moves through at a good pace, is well written, and despite knowing the outcome of the year historically, is riveting and well delivered. I found the book to have a distinct edge over the many other books I’ve read on Churchill – really getting to know the very depths and range of Churchill – the person – the husband and father; politician and leader. This is definitely well worth the read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

There are a lot of books on World War II out there. There are a lot of books on Churchill. Do you really want to look at another? Yes, if it's this one! First of all, you know any story Erik Larson tells is going to be well written and told in a way that will hold your interest and keep you turning pages. Secondly, this volume concentrates of the first high pressure year of Churchill's ministry when England basically defied Hitler alone and looks at the events from multiple perspectives of Winston himself, his family members, personal staff, political and military staff, American interests, and Nazi leaders as well. Never have I felt such a clear, well rounded vision of what took place during that crucial year. This is a must read for any history enthusiast and a book that will turn any reader into a history enthusiast!

I recieved an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and will recommend it often!

A unique perspective of Winston Churchill's first year as prime minister, including the events leading up to and during the bombing of England by the Nazis. This is the fourth work of Larson's that I have read and each time he has had the ability to make a work of nonfiction read like a story. Larson pulls from diaries, letters and other records that allows us to experience the mood and life during this time. 

Thanks to Crown Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Erik Larson is a master. He finds extremely interesting historical subjects and creates a narrative that you hope never ends. The Splendid and the Vile is the next release from Mr. Larson (out 2/25/2020) and it is outstanding. This book chronicles the leadership of Winston Churchill during WWII from 1940-1941. I have never read anything on Churchill and Larson shows how amazing his leadership was during a pivotal time in history. I cannot recommend this book enough. I believe anyone interested in history should read all of Larson's work, including this one. However, if you typically do not read history because you find it dull, I promise you will enjoy this one. He is such a wonderful writer and storyteller that you will be drawn in with interest. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.

I have always been an Erik Larson fan, and each time I read one his books I am reminded about the power of storytelling. Larson's new book, "The Splendid and the Vile," takes a close look at Winston Churchill and London during the Blitz and WWII. Every paragraph is important. There is no such thing as "too much information" or "boring" when it comes to Larson and his work. You get swept away in his writing, and while you are reading historical nonfiction, it reads like fiction because of Larson's ability to craft a story. Larson fans will not be disappointed.

It is a poignant portrait of Winston Churchill and his experience as Prime Minister. It transports readers and you feel like you are reading a thriller novel. I recommend The Devil in the White City to everyone...and now I will be recommending The Splendid and the Vile. Thank you for this book.

An interesting snapshot of one year in Churchill' s multi faceted career. The details of the mechanics of the planes and ships and the meetings are very readable. Made me want to read something more character driven.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

This is a gripping and vastly entertaining look at Winston Churchill and those in his circle in Churchill’s first year as wartime Prime Minister. Neville Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement toward Hitler and Nazi Germany had failed spectacularly. Chamberlain’s 1938 Munich Agreement with Hitler was supposed to bring “peace in our time,” but in September, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland and war was declared. The first several months of the war went badly and Chamberlain had to go. Churchill became PM in May, 1940, at a time when prospects looked grim. Germany and Poland were already lost, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium were occupied and France was falling. An invasion of Britain was expected at any time.

Of course, we know how it all turned out, but just imagine being in Churchill’s position in 1940. He knew that if Britain were conquered, it would be the end of freedom and he would likely be executed. He had to work like mad to get fighter planes and bombers built and defenses organized, and exerted every effort to cajole the US into the war, or at least to provide material aid.

We read about Churchill’s work and the men he recruited to help him; men like Lord Beaverbrook, who was tasked with aircraft production, an eccentric known as “the Prof,” and Harry Hopkins, President Roosevelt’s envoy, who spent a memorable month with Churchill that turned the two of them and everybody Hopkins met (from aristocrats and government ministers to hotel employees) into a mutual admiration society.

Even when facing the fear of invasion, and while the Luftwaffe dropped deadly bombs nearly nightly, Britons still lived their lives. Churchill went to the PM’s country retreat, Chequers, nearly every weekend. Yes, to work, but also to socialize. He could be seen in flamboyantly colorful dressing gowns, or wearing a “siren suit” over his regular clothes. After dinner, music played on the gramophone and Churchill might dance or march around the room.

Mary, Churchill’s eldest daughter, was 18 and chafed at her parents’ insistence she stay in the country, away from bombing raids. She eventually managed to wheedle her way to London sometimes. On March 8, 1941, she went to a debutante ball at Grosvenor House and planned to go on afterward with her set to the famous nightclub the Café de Paris, but they went to a different club when fire and rescue vehicles blocked the street to the Café. That night, as nearly every night, there had been bombing raids while the debutantes and their partners danced at Grosvenor House, and two bombs dropped straight down into the Café de Paris, killing dozens of young people. Can you imagine what a strange time it must have been to be young and living it up, while knowing that death is such a near thing?

Pamela was almost as young as Mary, and was married to Randolph, Churchill’s ne’er-do-well son. Randolph had enlisted, and Pamela lived with Winston and Clementine Churchill while expecting Winston’s namesake and after he was born. She often dined with and charmed influential men at 10 Downing Street and Chequers. After Randolph’s gambling debts forced her to move to a London flat and get a job, these social (and more) meetings continued. Readers are in on the beginning of what would be a storied romantic and political life for Pamela, ending with her death at 76 while serving as the US Ambassador to France.

Larson’s gift for turning history into story is on full display here, making this fateful year come vibrantly to life. I just wished the Larson treatment could have covered the whole war.

Extraordinary! I've added all the rest of Erik Larson's books to my list. He is a wonderful storyteller. I found myself really looking forward to any minute I could steal to read this. A fascinating look at Churchill's first year as Prime Minister. Certainly put my problems in perspective! Very well researched and yet very entertaining. A real page turner. I'm sorry it ended.

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 and never surrendering, he turns to a colleague and says “and...we will fight them with the butt end of broken bottles, because that’s bloody well all we’ll have left”.

While Churchill provides the locus of the story, it is much more all encompassing. We learn exactly what England was up against in that first year of war. It’s the details that he gives us that stick with me. On the first massive bombing of London, it’s the “dust from the age of Cromwell, Dickens and Victoria” that rains down on everyone and covers everything. His choice of quotes are always striking. It’s the perfect blend of the monumental facts and the minute detail so that you have a complete picture.

I came away with a much better understanding of what the Battle of Britain was all about. I had not understood how much of England, not just London, was subjected to the horrendous bombing. And it put me in awe of the English ability to withstand such horror.

My thanks to netgalley and Crown Publishing for an advance copy of this book.

Many volumes of information are available chronicling the life of Winston Churchill and the blitz. One element that makes this book enjoyable is the way the author lets us in on various back stories. These back stories help us understand the inner circle of the Prime Minister and the hard decisions he had to make. It also shows the reader bits of everyday life of bomb fatigued Londoners.
What I liked: you feel the urgency and weight of the difficult decisions of Winston Churchill without the writing being maudlin. You feel the sadness and hopelessness of events out of Churchill’s control, yet are encouraged by his unfailing optimism. Finally, the chapters are varied in length and the reading is very interesting.
If you enjoy a combination of history, psychology, and suspense, you will enjoy The Splendid and the Vile.

Bestselling author Erik Larson turns his attention to Winston Churchill's first year as Prime Minister. With thorough in-depth research, Larson brings Churchill to life - sharing details on his political and personal life. I wanted some more info of the families, but Larson's writing did keep me hooked.

However, this book is long! Larson is a master at drawing you in & keeping you interested, but this wasn't my favorite. I did like it & definitely felt intrigued to finish it.

A well researched work of narrative non-fiction that I've come to expect from Erik Larson, I wish there had been a little more about the family, but it was a detailed chronicle of the beginning of the war.

3.5
Wow, this book was hard to get through. Don't get me wrong I love Erik Larson's work and I appreciate all the research involved, and his ability to collate that copious amount of information into readable prose, but this book was just tedious.

Some sections of the book were focused on lesser known individuals like Churchill's daughter Mary and one of his private secretaries, John Colville, but the chapters about them were very boring as they focused on their, to me, unimportant romantic interests and day to day minutia. Very dull.

I felt this book could have been pared down considerably and still have been interesting. Too much repetitive information about Churchill, his weekends at Chequers and his quirky character traits.

This isn't to say I didn't get something out of this book, but I felt it was a very difficult read to find something of interest.

A fascinating, novelistic book about Winston Churchill that's more colorful and easier to read, though just as verifiable accurate, as most of the more academic biographies of a compelling historical figure.

The Splendid and the Vile is a good, but not great, Erik Larson book. He has set the bar high for himself over the years with a number of very well-written histories. The Splendid and the Vile is also well written, but it feels slight. It is for the WW2 or Churchill completist as it details not only Winston Churchill’s actions and speeches during the London Blitz (mostly very well known), but also those of his family members and close circle of advisors, both famous and not so. The details about Mary Churchill’s (WCs teenage daughter) life through her letters are the best part of this book which still doesn’t quite rise to the level of Larson’s top work.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Galley.

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!

"If some of what follows challenges what you have come to believe about Churchill and this era, may I just say that history is a lively abode, full of surprises." Erik Larson is the master of taking a period in history, juicing it up with details of people and happenings behind the scene, and making the reader think about that history in a new light. This book is another humdinger that will make your jaw drop, will have you saying 'wow' out loud, and write down inspiring quotes over and over again. For instance, "...when I remember all that has gone wrong, and remember also all that has gone right, I feel sure we have no need to fear the tempest. Let it roar, and let it rage. We shall come through." Damn, this man could lead and inspire, like no other yet he was far from perfect. (he's got some quirky personal habits, that's for sure!) This book tells the story of that first year, the worst year of the Blitz, where thousands died, women and children and ordinary people, who all stood on the side of the Channel and told Hitler NO. I absolutely loved this book and anyone who loves history will as well.

I love how Eric Larson weaves history & story together! Winston Churchill was so dynamic and so interesting and reading anything about the man (& WW2) is absolutely fascinating; especially as this book takes place during his first year as Prime Minister.