The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson

The seventeen hour Splendid and the Vile audio book was the perfect companion on a cross country drive. Churchill’s bravery, determination, and leadership rang through as did the efforts of his wife, Clementine, to not only support her husband, but to guide and support the lives of their daughter, Mary, and their daughter-in-law Pamela in light of their son’s disappointing ways. The fact that every detail of this hefty book was drawn from letters and journal accounts, contributes to the authentic voices and development of the characters. A splendid work of weaving together what must have been volumes and volumes of research. Reading about a great leader during a time of national crisis was aptly poignant. The humility, humor, and resolve on display in this book served of a reminder of what could be. It is also a reminder of the way life goes on in the midst of even a blitz, something the history books fail to make note of. Inspiration at I time when I really needed it.

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