The Splendid and the Vile Book Reviews

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Most Splendid,indeed. Spectacular view of WWII from 10 Downing Street and the heart of the British fight against Hitler’s forces.

Easy to read history. Informative and insightful, this book paints a picture of Britain under Churchill in the darkest days when the Empire stood alone against the Nazis.

Engaging. Eric Larson is such a good author with well researched and well written accounts of his subjects. This stunning book of Winston Churchill gives an account of his history as he led England to victory over her aggressors. Brilliant!

Amazing Character Study. A thoroughly enjoyable portrait of Winston Churchill told in stressful times by the people and events that surrounded him, he truly rose to the challenge.

Outstanding. Proving yet again why he and David McCullough are the Kings of History.

Wonderful. Excellent read

Another Great Erik Larson Read. I was expecting the same play by play of America’s involvement post December 1941 and was sadly disappointed that the book was coming to an end. I say that to say - I could have read another 500 pages. Thanks!

Despite 600 pages, I wish it was longer and was sad it ended. Wonderful read, a page turner throughout. Great insight on Churchill and his family in the first year of ww2.

Splendid. It was an up close look of the challenges of life during wartime. It was interesting to learn how people dealt with daily life while being bombed constantly. Worth a read.

Fascinating Book. Fascinating history. Wasn't so interested in reading a book about Winston Churchill and WWII, but have read Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Evil, so I know how Erik Larsen can expertly weave many facets of a story together. He does the deep research and writes in a novel like narrative that makes this history lesson a real page turner.

Great book. Tells the interesting facts about one of the world’s most interesting leaders....2 👍👍

One Terrific read.. A Fantastic historical read. I hated to put the book down each night as my old tired eyes could not read anymore. The author managed to keep my interest constantly. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in WORLD WAR II HISTORY. I am sorry I have come to the “finis” of the book. 🥸😥.

Depiction of the human spirit. Incredible depiction of hope that overcame the fear.

Excellent book and a stunning portrayal of the British. I learned a great deal from this book. I hadn’t known much about Churchill before. He was truly a remarkable human being. The British resolve during a relentless onslaught was stunning and admirable.

The Historian’s Writer. I have rarely picked up a book that I thought was fiction, only to find it is non-fiction. It has happened to me twice, both Eric Larson books. What a pleasure to read history written by a novel writer.

The Splendid and the Vile - very good. Great review of Churchill’s first year as PM and how life continued during those dangerous days. Very good read. Very interesting, and new to me, presentation of material.

Thrilled and exhausted. I am so grateful to the author for this exhaustive account of the war times of Winston Churchill. The progress of the war in England was so painful. This book had a big impact on me.

Interesting. Good read!

Mildly intetesting. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.

Great Book. This book is great because it is historical fiction about Adolf Hitler

Fantastic book. Nothing not to like.. Read it

Fresh Insight on Churchill. I found Larsen's new book, "The Splendid and the Vile", well worth reading. It gave a personal context to the immense challenge which faced England and Churchill when they alone were standing up to Hitler. We see the events through the eyes of those who worked for the prime minister as well as the family and friends he had. A sense of the German actors and their strategies are touched on in a readable way. I thought it ironic that as everyday items came into short supply, King George asked his ambassador to the US to send the Palace toilet paper! Alas, echoes of today's pandemic!

A big disappointment. The book itself provides some interesting details, but I didn’t finish reading it. I stopped reading it because the ebook version for Apple devices is just plain lousy. Underlining or highlighting passages all too often doesn’t work as it should—and that disgusted me.

Larson at his best. I have read several works about Churchill. This is one of the best and most entertaining. This is a story of true courage, which at this time we surely need.

Well told. What a year! Larson's weaving together the public and personal accounts of Churchill's first year as PM is magnificent.

Fascinating!. Another engrossing look at history from Erik Larson. Highly recommend.

Completely gripping. Incredible feat of storytelling. Totally transports the reader to a world changing time in history, and leaves you in awe of what was endured and overcome.

Enamored. My first book on Churchill and Erik Larsen provided me with a vivid story about the man, his family and his staff I feel like I now know them all personally. Frightening years that but for his leadership may have changed the world forever. Thank you for letting these historical figures introduce themselves through their own words and actions. Oh how I wish I could experience a night at Chequers!

Character overload. The history and learning about WC in this story was interesting but it had way too many characters and unnecessary details. Appears to me the author was simply creating a longer novel with very little purpose. Good to fall asleep to.

U. Uh

A slog of a history book. DNF. A slog of a history book. DNF

Truthfull. Thoughtfully written account of all sides Winston!

Splendid and the Vile. Riveting and full of little known idiosyncrasies!

Wonderful Read. I read a lot of history and this struck me as one of he most intimate and well written portrayals of Churchill and his family in his first year as PM. Larson acutely describes the horrors of the bombings of London, which is often not emphasized in history volumes. Most endearing were descriptions of Churchill weeping in times of great sadness. Well done.

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