Review: The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another masterful work by Erik Larson. This book follows Churchill's time as Prime Minister from 1940 through 1941. This is a more personal story of Churchill, his wife, children, and the people that surrounded him on a daily basis. We see life in England during World War II through the eyes of these people and all that they endured trying to run the nation, hold off a war coming into their homes, all during constant bombing runs by the Germans. We see Churchill's life and those around them unfettered and unfiltered.

I thoroughly enjoy Laron's writing. He spins historical events in a novelistic way that pulls the reader in. I was engrossed throughout. Larson weaves these very personal anecdotes into the facts of history to make these stories relatable leading the reader to feel like they are there and witnessing the events first hand. Brilliant.

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