The Splendid and The Vile tells the story of Winston Churchill’s first year in office, 1940-1941, from the perspectives of its main characters. Winston Churchill is seen in his public, political, personal and familial personae. Clementine Churchill is portrayed as a wife and mother playing her part in a family amidst turmoil. Lord Beaverbrook is depicted as the scheming, manipulative office holder who, though rendering invaluable service, particularly as Minister of Aircraft Production, repeatedly annoyed his Prime Minister with his fourteen resignations. There are more minor characters such as Harry Hopkins and Averill Harriman, envoys of President Roosevelt whom Churchill cultivated as conduits to the one man who could save a drowning Britain, and Randolph Churchill, adored but dissolute son of the Winston, and his wife Pamela who added joy and embarrassment to the Churchill family. The Nazi antagonists, Hitler, Goebbels, Goering, and Rudolph Hess introduce their goals, frustrations and prodding into the narrative. During it all love grow and fades.

All of these individuals play their parts against the backdrop of a Britain under constant aerial bombing designed to break its ability and will to fight. Repeated accounts of air raids, both as seen by the Luftwaffe crews and British civilians, convey a sense of the suffering the people endured and their unbroken spirit and unbowed mettle, which Churchill stoked and from which he drew his own resolve.

War History Network members have read many volumes about World War II. Blending characteristics of biography and history, this one is unique. It presents Churchill’s courting of American involvement in the War from the British side, with the Americans in supporting roles, in contrast to many tomes I have read. It intertwines the personal with the political, big history with little and historic personalities with fungible masses. Utilizing short paragraphs that change the scene, author Erik Larson has crafted a chronicle that is informative, and entertaining. I recommend it to any student of World War II or in search of a titanic story expertly told.