As an avid reader of WWII history and viewer of documentaries and films, there was considerable content that was not new to me. Despite that fact, Erik Larson always has an enjoyable way of portraying events and a sense of humor even when depicting what was the worst year of the war for Britain. All the personal information makes this book a wonderful read whether you know little or a lot about the time of the Battle of Britain. Highly recommend. Kristi & Abby Tabby

THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE’s title comes from a line (see Quotes) in the diary of John Colville, PM Winston Churchill’s secretary, describing his experience of watching bombs fall over London during WWII. Author Erik Larson’s descriptive writing vividly brings history to life and makes the reader feel like “you are there” in the middle of the Blitz and the Battle of Britain. The book focuses on the first year Churchill was Prime Minister, May 10, 1940 to May 10, 1941. Using historical documents like diaries, letters, and memoirs, Larson takes a fascinating and intimate look at the lives, thoughts, and feelings of Churchill and his inner circle, including staff, friends, and family. He also includes some sobering and humorous details of what life was like for British citizens during the War. As in his previous works, Erik Larson’s non-fiction storytelling style makes this book and its subject compelling. I can’t recommend it enough. Churchill was definitely the right leader for the time.

Globe 100 2020. Churchill's inspiration during the blitz.

Erik Larson's history of the first year of Churchill's role as Prime Minister is fascinating. He gives a day by day account of some of the key moments during that year, and shows just how devastating the London blitz was, and how Winston rose to the challenge. I especially enjoyed learning about the year through the diaries and observations of people who were closest to Winston during that time, including his daughter Mary and his secretary John Colville. Simple diary entries from several of the thousands of British Observers during that time are very enlightening about what life was like for regular Brits. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in WWII, Churchill's first year as PM and anyone who would like to expand their knowledge in that sector. I'm not usually a reader of non-fiction, but this is thoroughly enjoyable and I learned a lot of interesting things!! I would read a "Volume 2" if it was available. Erik Larson's books are very entertaining!!

I don't read much nonfiction but Erik Larson can hold my attention tightly. I was surprised how much I like Dead Wake, and now I am so proud I read The Splendid and the Vile in just a few days. This is the saga of the Churchill family in 1940; the first year of his office as British PM and the first year of WWII. Through diaries and proven papers, Larson specializes in bringing these historical characters to life, featuring their personalities, and enabling me to absorb the historical facts. I cannot do nonfiction without characters.

Churchill's first year in power provides the narrative for this book by Larson as he explores the Blitz and the response of the British people to the Nazi threat. Powerfully written, and the sort of book that compels you to keep reading.

My dad was a radar technician who spent the war in Scotland at a Chain Low radar station after training in Clinton Ontario in radar, top secret at the time. When he left I was Two, staying with mom in grandpa’s mansion at 32 Teddington Park in North Toronto. Grandpa had a mom and her two children staying as his guests from England to escape the bombing and more probably, invasion. Needless to say, from an early age the war was close to home. When the Japs torpedoed battleship row December 7, 1941, there was fear that they would land troops unopposed in British Columbia.

This book puts the first year of the war in stark relief, in particular what it was really like to be bombed not just in London, as there was no defense at that time against nightime bombing, with 500 or so German bombers overhead. The RAF fighter aircraft production was a target, and Churchill enlisted Beaverbrook to oversee production, which he did to the point that the RAF was able to actually increase production during the blitz while the Germans counted on winning the air war as a precondition for sea borne invasion. As a student of history I found his book full of critical information not previously available.

Amazing book; couldn't put in down!

Terrific history that reads like a page turner. Truly enjoyed this read and couldn't wait to get back to it each day.

Excellent read. Addictive. Too short. Would have liked to have it go on to the end of WWII and hear insights about Stalin, Mussolini, and more. One discordant note is Larson's eschewing of photos and maps. But overall, a fine read.