The Splendid and the Vile
A Saga of Churchill, Family and Defiance During the Blitz
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The Splendid and the Vile
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Narrated by:
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Matt Addis
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By:
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Erik Larson
About this listen
‘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.
©2020 Erik Larson (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers LimitedListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
PICKED BY BARACK OBAMA AND BILL GATES AS A BEST BOOK OF 2020
‘If you want to look back at a really important part of history with fresh eyes, this is the book for you … Gripping and wonderful’
Alan Carr
‘An enthralling page-turner’
O: The Oprah Magazine
‘Fresh, fast and deeply moving … Larson’s deft portraits show the essential connection that words created between the powerful and the powerless, capturing the moments that defined life for millions struggling to survive the decisions of a few’
New York Times Book Review
‘There are countless books about World War II, but there’s only one Erik Larson … There are many things to admire about The Splendid and the Vile, but chief among them is Larson’s electric writing. The book reads like a novel, and even though everyone (hopefully) knows how the war ultimately ended, he keeps the reader turning the pages with his gripping prose.’
NPR
‘A particularly gripping read, written with bounce and brio. Larson pulls together vivid vignettes – some moving, some amusing, a few grim … A fine writer of narrative nonfiction history.’
Robbie Millen, Times
‘This book is peppered with eye-popping details … A deeply compelling work of history … Without resorting to heroism, it makes one long powerfully for real leadership’
Lit Hub
‘I have an early copy of this book on my desk and idly began reading the first pages—and suddenly time disappeared.’
Seattle Times
‘Larson’s skill at integrating vast research and talent for capturing compelling human dramas culminate in an inspirational portrait of one of history’s finest, most fearless leaders’
Booklist (starred review)
‘A captivating history of Churchill’s heroic year, with more than the usual emphasis on his intimates.’
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
What listeners say about The Splendid and the Vile
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark
- 26-11-22
Brilliant
Absolutely brilliant, a must read for those wanting to learn about the blitz and the great man himself, you’ll learn about the little things that we simply don’t know, such as the volume of blitz bonking going on hahaha
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 19-05-20
Brilliant
Brilliant . Wanted it to go on and on. so completely engaged I was upset when it finished.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 06-05-20
Good, but.....
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- geneva
- 11-08-22
Inspiring
A fascinating account of the dark days of World War 2 and the crucial role Churchill played.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 05-04-20
Utterly Splendid.
This book has had me gripped from the first word until the last. The level of detail covered throughout is second to none. I really felt like you were walking along side Churchill for his first year as a Prime Minister. Fantastic book, loved it, and if I could I would offer six stars as a review I would. Splendid!
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- scrummymummy
- 19-09-20
Loved it
I already knew quite a lot about Churchill and the British experience of World War 2 ...but this new book is so fresh and compelling and often unexpectedly funny or moving. I absolutely loved it. As I am listening in the middle of our pandemic (such a boring crisis...) it also allows reflections that perhaps our current leaders seem lacking by comparison.
I would also congratulate the narrator for doing a really great job.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Phil A.
- 22-02-21
Read many a Churchill book this was the best
Reads like a novel but is historically spot on. Interesting diversions reveal the lives and thoughts of those closest to WSC, and particularly his family members. Just a great and easy listen. Superbly well narrated by Matt Adis.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Norfolkboy7
- 27-04-22
Really engaging , brilliantly narrated .
A great listen , 25 hours is a hell of a long book but the narrator was excellent, the best I have heard on an audio book and kept me engaged throughout. The book as well is brilliant.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nuala Worth
- 18-04-24
Simply Brilliant
Amazing how the author bought the story to life through peoples diaries. I learnt so much. An enjoyable listen, very well narrated.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Greta Evans
- 15-07-20
The best book I've listened to!
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.
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3 people found this helpful