When I learned that Erik
Larson had released a new book, I could hardly wait to read it and was riveted
as I read The Splendid and the Vile, A Saga of Churchill, Family, and
Defiance During the Blitz.
The book starts out in May
1940, when Winston Churchill was appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain. It covers the first year of his leadership,
but it was a pivotal year and devastating for the entire nation. It’s almost incomprehensible to imagine what it
was like for Great Britain to endure the relentless and vile bombings they suffered
from Nazi Germany. But Erik Larson
has taken what is hard to imagine and helps the reader to learn about this unique
and brave leader who inspired a nation and helped Great Britain to endure while
suffering great losses and come out victoriously as the great evil of Nazi
Germany was defeated.
When reading this book,
God’s providential hand in raising up the right leader for a nation at the
right time is evident. One can only
speculate how England would have fared and how WWII would have ended with a
different man as Prime Minister.
Not only do you get to
know PM Winston Churchill and his view of the war, but this book really comes
to life as you learn about and from the people who surrounded Churchill, what
they saw, felt and experienced. Clementine,
Churchill’s wife was every bit his equal and we learn quite a bit about their
children, especially their son Randolph and youngest daughter Mary
Those who surrounded the
Prime Minister provide insight into Churchill and how Great Britain prepared
and fought the war, including from John Colville, Churchill’s private secretary
whose diaries documented behind the scenes happenings, to Frederick Lindermann
(The Prof) Churchill’s scientific advisor, to Max Aitken-Lord Beaverbrook the
man who Churchill believe would help their country ramp-up aircraft production
so they could wage an effective air campaign against the Nazi’s.
The book also looks at the
war through the lens of Nazi leaders including, Hitler, Goring, Goebbels, Hess
and flying ace Adolf Galland. It was
both interesting and horrifying to see how they viewed what they were doing and
their ultimate goal to defeat Great Britain.
The Splendid and the
Vile is a full-bodied look at
Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the people who surrounded him and the
people of Great Britain and the suffering they endured. This is a tremendous book, it’s an interesting,
insightful, heartbreaking and thrilling look at history, a strong unique leader
and a people who did not crumble when facing great evil unleashed against them.
I highly recommend The
Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson. If you read one book this year, other than the Bible, this is the
one to read. Especially during this time
in our Nation and the world, this book will put into perspective what we are
going through compared to what Great Britain and the world endured during WWII.
I would like to thank Crown
Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Splendid
and the Vile by author Erik Larson. Mr. Larson is a gifted writer and I look forward
to reading more of his work. I was provided
with a free copy of the book but under no obligation to give a favorable review.
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