"The Splendid and the Vile", by Erik Larson

A saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance during the Blitz

From newly available sources, declassified files and personal diaries, Erik Larson chronicles Winston Churchill’s life during his first year as prime minister and during the London Blitz. This compelling portrait shows in a cinematic way how Churchill taught the British people the art of being fearless. The story is more than a political one it also tells us the domestic drama and the day to day experience of Churchill, his family and his inner circle.

We are taken in a time of unrelenting horror with eloquence. Mr. Larson artfully weaves a tapestry of events, speeches, daily routines and tells us how the Prime Minister was determined in his pursuit to obtain aide from the USA and how it was up to him to hold his country together during Hitler’s relentless bombing campaign. Mr. Larson is definitely a master of narrative non-fiction work.

Although the Battle of Britain has been told many times there are always new discoveries and some omissions. This book ninety-some chapter tackles in depths the experience of the Battle as well as describing Churchill’s eccentric behaviour. For those who are fan of historical events, we learn a bit more, and for the die hard definitely this book is an added bonus.

Whether a non-fiction or historical fiction I love reading war time accounts. Mr. Larson did not disappoint, his vivid details brought the era alive with all the screeching, whistling and hissing sound that bombs do to scare the population and to obliterate everything. With the resiliency of the population and good leadership Britain survived and with the contribution of allies, the Axis defeated. ……..”Never forget”……..

I received the Arc from Crown Publishing via NetGalleys in exchange for an honest review.