This book is a deep dive into Churchill’s first year as prime minister of Great Britain. It is a bleak time for the nation and the book is a very interesting exploration of Churchill’s life. I have read other books on the subject but this one really captures how Churchill’s positive reputation grew over time. It may not be a read for everyone but those with an interest in history will find the book a treasure. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the Arc.

I am a huge fan of Erik Larson because his nonfiction novels read like fiction. I didn't quite feel the same way about this one, but I was still really fascinated by this in-depth analysis of Churchill's first year as Prime Minister during World War II. There were definitely parts that were a bit tedious to get through (though I think that's partially because I often read this book while nursing in the middle of the night), but overall, I really enjoyed it and feel like I have a much better idea of who Churchill was.

When Winston Churchill became Prime Minister in May of 1940, Europe was already in shambles. The Blitz was just a few months away; the evacuation of Dunkirk, mere weeks. Larson chronicles Churchill's frantic first year in office, depicting both the large-scale military action and the personal lives of those in his orbit. The specs of fighter planes and the love life of Churchill's secretary John Colville, the obliteration of Coventry and Churchill's collection of eye-watering dressing gowns, all the details both grand and quotidian are present. The width and depth of research bring to vivid life ordinary and extraordinary people.

I have actually never read a “bad” Erik Larsen book, and I can tell you this one is indeed “splendid”. His books are always extremely well researched and written. This one is no exception. Even in its “unedited” form I can predict this will be a best seller as he chronicles Winston Churchill and his leadership through Britain’s darkest days.

Wonderful nonfiction about a significant period of Churchill’s life. Draws you in with rich level of details and first hand quotes etc. My first Erik Larson, I believe, and I will certainly be reading more.

For the history buff and the curious, ERIK Larson’s new book, The Splendid and the Vile, brings to life the first year of Winston Churchill’s term as Prime Minister. Although at times the reader may become bogged down in too much detail, this book is for the most part a fascinating look at Churchill, those around him in his governmental and personal lives, and, to a lesser degree, those who surrounded Hitler throughout this momentous year. Larson’s writing style presents history in ways non-professional historians can access without feeling that the text has been “dumbed down.” Personally, I found the details of Churchill’s attempts to draw America into the war as well as the portrayal of Churchill’s success in motivating the British people during the hardest of times, to be fascinating and insightful. This is a splendid book that will have wide appeal.

One may find dates and short descriptions in a text book, or you could sit through a lecture to get a bit more personality, or even watch a documentary to see some moving pictures… but you wouldn’t get the depth and insight that you do in an Erik Larson book. In The Splendid and the Vile his meticulous research and talented writing give readers a fascinating look into one year in the life of Winston Churchill. Starting in May of 1941, just before he takes office as Prime Minister, Larson details the conversations, the meetings, and the speeches, but also the eccentricities of the leader and interworking of his whole family. This year holds the surrender of the French, the beginning of The Blitz, and calls to isolationist America for help.

Even though the book is weighty at just over 600 pages, the chapters are on the smaller size and are balanced well between the British side of the war and other points of view. The descriptions of the places are excellent and drew me in immediately to each scene. Another thing is Larson’s use of diary entries. Some are derived from the public who took part in a government project to get firsthand knowledge of the war.

Personal Note: I have like now read all of Larson’s books, and while I love his writing style, I just liked the subjects of a couple of his pieces a better than others. The Devil and the While City and Thunderstruck were excellent books that contained little-known true crime mysteries. And his last three books (Dead Wake, In the Garden of Beasts, and The Splendid and the Vile) have been without much mystery and their topics have covered parts of history that one can readily find. His writing is always good and he certainly picks out smaller characters to highlight in the overall scenes of history, but I just liked the other books for their singular subjects.

The Splendid and the Vile is an excellent piece of history. Perfect for that WW2 buff who is looking to expand their knowledge of one of the great leaders of the war.

4 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

(DNF – 12%)
Interesting but plodding, it focuses as much on the important political figures and decisions as on peripherical figures that do nothing to advance the plot.

Disclaimer: I received from the publisher a free e-book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Larson does what he does best i.e. he takes a historically accurate event and relates it in the form of a “novel”-great for the non historian and, in addition , makes the characters more ‘human’. In this book he deals with the first year of Churchill’s tenure as prime minister snd the war against Nazi Germany. Personally , I knew a lot of the “ cold hard” facts but really enjoyed the in depth look at the players-who knew for example, thatChurchill wore pink silk underwear😂😂

My full review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3062342180 Excellent and highly recommended.

Erik Larsen is one of my favorite storytellers. He makes historical nonfiction read like fiction, but you don't feel like you are reading a sensationalized and fictionalized version of events. In this book, the tackles the early career of Winston Churchill as the Prime Minister. It's honestly something I had really never thought about - when you hear about Churchill, you just think of one of the most significant leaders of the 20th century, not someone who is a new leader trying to navigate the course.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in this time period, or just those who are fans of a really good work of historical nonfiction. It really is an excellent book!

Meticulously researched and relayed, this is the first year of Churchill’s service as Prime Minister of England. I believe this covers the same period of history as the recent movie, “Darkest Hour,” but it gives much more information such as letters, office notes, conversations and so forth. It’s very informative and engaging.

Those who enjoyed the movie and want much more information will love this book. Those who are simply interested in this critical period in our history will enjoy it.

I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher, Crown Publishing, for a preview copy in exchange for an honest review.

Erik Larson is one of the few writers who can make history flow like a fiction novel and have the reader on the edge anticipating the ending like a mystery. He has accomplished this with every highly anticipated literary endeavor of his. Sit back and watch the magnificence of Winston Churchill .... what unfolds is an intimate glimpse into the first year of his position as the Prime Minister of England, during it's most harrowing time in history, surviving a relentless bombing campaign of Hitler's Germany killing more than 45,000 Britons. Through usage of diaries, original archival documents and recently released intelligence reports., Larson weaves a narrative with mounting tension and mystery worthy of the finest literary novel.. What unfolds is a moving account of not only the behind the scene look into the lives of everyday Britons, but also the inner workings and feelings of Churchill and those of his inner circle and family. A stark look and portrait of not only London under the Blitz, but also 10 Downing Street , and his weekend retreats, at Checquers and Ditchley. Churchill's main secretary, John Colville kept a diary chocked full of operational secrets and insights to Churchill's behavior that would have been a prize if fallen into a German agents hand. This account is a testimony to Churchill's strange power to bring forth courage and strength in the most trying of circumstances. This is even more amazing in the light of today's rampant political dysfunction.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for providing an electronic proof in exchange for an honest review.
(at readers remains.com)

Really fantastic work. Erik Larson is a tremendous writer and an easy hand-sell for our target customers.

I have always been amazed at how the British survived the nightly bombings of World War II, and their ability to hang on and keep hanging on. Erik Larson details much of the reason this was so, in his very readable book about Winston Churchill. In the early years of WWII, as country after country fell to Hitler and the Nazis. The United States and Franklin Roosevelt, very reluctant to get involved in yet another war, stayed on the fence and chose not to involve the United States in what they saw as England's affairs.

Winston Churchill, whose cigar chomping was but one of his unique behaviors, who had energy enough for several men, was a marvel. His spirit and determination led a country to its ultimate goal, that of staying a free Britain. He made people believe they could achieve the unachievable. “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.” Working around the clock, he never stopped figuring out ways to get Britain to survive and to succeed, and he inspired and frustrated those people who worked with him.

An excellent look at not only Churchill as statesman, but also a look at his family and friends, as well as the entire population of Britain. There was never a question as to where he stood on issues.

I’m reviewing this at the 15% mark because it is going to take me many weeks to finish. A final review will follow.

In typical Erik Larsen fashion, this one is impeccably researched, and includes many quotes from a variety of first-hand sources (think personal correspondence, journals, diaries, etc.). Characters are written much like those found in fiction, including motivations, deliberations, and preferences, which it seems would be impossible to know about historical figures but for the primary sources. It’s fascinating to be included in Churchill’s inner circle as the events of WWII unfold for him and the rest of Europe.

Not quite biography of Churchill himself, it is, like Erik Larson's previous books, the biography of a moment in time and the player at the heart of it. I know far less about the second world war than most history buffs, and this did a good bit to remedy that. The author shines in making the ordinary past seem extraordinary and the year leading up to Britain entering the war came alive for me. I learned so much about the ancillary figures in government too, especially as a non Brit. A five star read and one of Larson's best.

Erik Larson is a master non fiction writer and this book shows that in every way. The amount of research that went into this book is exceptional. He is able to take all that research and tell a story that flows like a fiction novel and leaves the reader wanting for more.

This book is about Winston Churchill and London during the Blitz. Starting with the day that Churchill became Prime Minister and through the next twelve months. The author takes you day by day, month by month and tells an amazing , harrowing story of what it was like to be bombed by Germany.... Not to mention the fear of being invaded. Thanks to this author I was able to put myself there and that is what makes this a great book!

Great book! Great writer! The only thing I wished for was that the story would continue! Thank you Netgalley and Crown Publishing for letting this history nerd have the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

Erik Larson never fails to draw his readers into the minds of those he writes about, and the places and time periods that fascinate him. Churchill during the early days of World War II is hardly a new subject, but Larson manages to successfully blend military history with the Prime Minister's personal life, and that of his family. This book is a perfect read for those who prefer both worlds as opposed to a straight military history or biography. Highly recommended.

Erik Larsen’s non-fiction never fails to deliver. This book explores Winston Churchill’s first year as the British Prime Minister amidst the ever growing Nazi threat. Larsen excels at creating a well paced history with fascinating and personal tidbits about his subject(s). This was a thoroughly captivating and intimate look at Churchill.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46741344