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The Splendid and the Vile

A Saga of Churchill, Family and Defiance During the Blitz

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 THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

‘Every time Churchill took to the airwaves it was as if he were injecting adrenaline-soaked courage directly into the British people … Larson tells the story of how that feat was accomplished … Fresh, fast and deeply moving.’ New York Times

A STARTLING, GRIPPING PORTRAIT OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE ALIVE IN BRITAIN DURING THE BLITZ, AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE AROUND CHURCHILL.

On Winston Churchill’s first day as prime minister, Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. Poland and Czechoslovakia had already fallen, and the Dunkirk evacuation was just two weeks away. For the next twelve months, the Nazis would wage a relentless bombing campaign, killing 45,000 Britons and destroying two million homes.

In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson gives a new and brilliantly cinematic account of how Britain’s most iconic leader set about unifying the nation at its most vulnerable moment, and teaching ‘the art of being fearless.’

Drawing on once-secret intelligence reports and diaries, #1 bestselling author Larson takes readers from the shelled streets of London to Churchill’s own chambers, giving a vivid vision of true leadership, when – in the face of unrelenting horror – a leader of eloquence, strategic brilliance and perseverance bound a country, and a family, together.

 Europe Great Britain Historical Military Politics & Activism Presidents & Heads of State Winston Churchill War Imperialism Royalty Belgium Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Leadership England Air Force Franklin D Roosevelt
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As a British woman, you'd think I would know the history of the Blitz and what followed. Unfortunately I wasn't taught this in school. I loved this book so much. If you want to hear the intimate thoughts of Churchill, his family, his aides and from their own diaries explaining in easy to understand terms about this time then this is for you. The conversations via cable from Churchill to Roosevelt and also the conversations of Hitler, Goebbels and Hass. Tou get an all round feel to what exactly was happening. The love affairs, the fact that whatever our British people went through, which is also detailed and not white washed, through the blackout and the bombs, we did indeed get up out of the shelters and go to work and have the courage every day to say Britain was worth it. Churchill was instrumental in this. His personality of always trying to think one step ahead, his plight to always show that Britain was a friend to other countries, his funny side, his not giving a care of what people though of him, it's all in this book. It's as if you are there. You feel the hurt, the pain, the tears but you are left with joy and love and pride. I will also be buying this in Hardcover because I think this is a book that should be treasured and kept for generations to never forget our resilience. Narration is brilliant. I like bite size chapters but they just made me want to continue reading. Well done to the Author for this great piece of work! Thank you.

The best book I've listened to!

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I had procrastinated listening to this because of the length….but ended up binging it and now I’m sad to have finished. I especially loved hearing about Churchill’s funny quirks and unique character. Excellent narration. I can’t recommend highly enough.

Don’t be intimidated by the length!

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I enjoyed this book as it includes many of the small stories not told in ordinary history books. I like that an American has written about Churchill for American readers. After all, Britain's survival depended on American support.

It tells about life behind the scenes in the words written by diarists. It details the characters making up some of the vast resources employed by Churchill. The life and scandals of his family and where he went and where he worked. Of particular interest his times at Chequers and his guests. Drawn from official records but enhanced by private diarists, people who were there.

This book has left me with the impression Winston Churchill was a serious man who never grew up. He allowed his inner child and lack of inhibitions to drive him. His oratory skills and focus are well known but his sense of fun less so. He was not afraid of getting close to the enemy or of shedding tears for the suffering war caused.

When I walk through London at night I look up to the roofs and imagine Churchill watching bombs as they fall. He had bunkers and war rooms but these were for his staff. Whenever possible, he would retire to the roof during raids. This was a human who ran towards danger, never from it.

Written for the American perspective

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This book exemplifies the greatest period of English history.
Its combination of political and personal detail creates an amazing picture of life at this time.
If you only read one book about World War 2 it should be this one

Splendid

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Very good story and well researched, but....

The narrator was British, however, it soon became apparent that the author was not as North American terms was used such as railway cars instead of carriages, fire trucks instead of engines, fall instead of autumn and the best of all Nelsons tower instead of column. Also, I have never read a book with over 100 paragraphs.

Really enjoyed the book and learnt more about the Blitz.

Good, but.....

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