Comments (61)

The Splendid and the Vile

a Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
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Jan 22, 2024das1956 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyed this book. Definitely made Churchill very personable. "Larson (Dead Wake) delivers a propulsive, character-driven account of Winston Churchill's first year as British prime minister (May 1940--May 1941), when the German air…
Nov 19, 20232greyts rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Surprising and intriguing, this tale of London’s days as a Luftwaffe targets are seen from an unexpected angle. Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his family deal with the bombings and deprivations while the PM keeps Londoners hopeful,…
Nov 07, 2023
Read after Hero of an empire
Oct 20, 2023CherylHampson rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The author organizes this book in chronological order of events, a bit like a play by play. That might sound boring but it actually made it a bit suspenseful. I found it an interesting read and it kiboshes a couple of conspiracy theories…
Oct 10, 2023whitcombs2do rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I've read a few books lately about this part of WWII history, and this one is the winner. Great mix of personal detail and overall picture, which made it more readable than most!
Jul 26, 2023
Erik Larson is in a class of his own when it comes to writing historical nonfiction because of his compelling writing style and attention to historical detail. This one reads like fiction and offers a unique portrait of Winston Churchill…
Jun 23, 2023
Sunny reviewed in paper
Feb 08, 2023loisgcrawford_0 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This compelling book reads like a novel with many anecdotes and quotes from the major characters of that historic year 1940-41. An intimate look at Churchill’s family life in London and other parts of England during the tremendous air …
Dec 14, 2022IndyPL_CherylM rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Fascinating story of the Blitz and Churchill's first year as Prime Minister. Illuminates Churchill's long campaign to convince FDR to declare war on Germany. Churchill's encouragement of the public to stay strong during the unrelenting…
Nov 15, 2022leipers4k rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This was a great book! Erik Larson told Churchill’s story in such a way, that it didn’t seem like I was reading non-fiction. I love to learn and I feel Larson’s books deliver a plethora of interesting tidbits. This book however, had…
Nov 14, 2022Wilsonnc rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I can add nothing of value to the official review of and readers' comments on this book, beyond saying I highly recommend it and count it among my lifetime favorites.
Oct 01, 2022hornbeck67 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Good account of Churchill and England during the blitz. “Citizens of London” is better.
Jul 30, 2022bogwolf rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Larson does his best with the drama and trauma of the Churchills during the Blitz. In fact, Larson does nothing wrong - the usual effortless prose and thorough research. Any of us who has been through the interminable WWII nostalgia will…
May 29, 2022cbader52 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Not as gripping a read as Devil in the White City, but interesting nonetheless. As a baby boomer I have been interested in WWII my whole life. This book really brought home what life was like for the Churchill family and others during…
Mar 07, 2022sandyhenn rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This was our book club book last month and I thought it might be boring. Boy, was I wrong! Impeccably researched and yet it moved along at a clip. I couldn't put it down. Real insight into Churchill who was the right man at the right…
Feb 17, 2022moyatori rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Impressive research effort that indeed highlighted the best and worst during the blitz. While I marvelled at the details, I felt that a few parts less crucial to the central figures who diarized or were written about could have been…
Jan 27, 2022markcotner rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A well researched and superbly written book, detailing the first year of Churchill's as Prime Minister. Uses contemporaneous diaries and letters to show how that first year of war against Germany affected all classes of the British…
Dec 22, 2021Kimthereadingqueen rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Narrative non-fiction at its most enjoyable: full of historical surprise details and moments of poignancy and humor.
Nov 24, 2021BooksXooksZooks rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Well researched and written, using diary entries, trials and interrogations, speeches, meeting documentation, and more to make Churchill's 1st year (1940-1941) as PM fleshed out in a conversational manner. From perspective of all leaders…
Oct 19, 2021
Very interesting , a good read. Failed to comprehend why fighter aircraft where not engaged at night. Radar was available and the track the NAZI bombers flew was know . Search lights illuminated the bombers. No evidence was presented for…
Sep 13, 2021BarbWorthy rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Very engaging, well researched, and well-written book! I learned a lot about WWII, and discovered how much I respect Churchill. But honestly, when I finished it, I realized that the author gave more coverage (example, final statistics) to…
Jul 11, 2021avidFVreader rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Great read with insights to how the British people coped with the Blitz. Recommended reading!
May 30, 2021merrywheaton rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Well written account of Churchill's first year in office during WWII. A personal account of the man and his immediate circle, including family, during the Battle of Britain, with lots of interesting details. E.g., how he wore a silk…
May 05, 2021bluebugler rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is a wonderful book. There is much to learn from the 'up close and personal' presentation of the first year of Churchill as prime minister. Erik Larson combines official records with personal diaries including those of Churchill's…
Apr 28, 2021timsborden rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I often peruse the new non-fiction section and came across this book. I’ve never read any of Erik Larson’s books but thought this sounded good so gave it a try. I was a little apprehensive having tried another World War Two history and…