The Splendid and the Vile : Churchill, Family and Defiance During the Bombing of London

Just finished reading this. Penning my thoughts here. Would love to hear from others who read this or similar books.

The book primarily delves into Churchill's tumultuous early days as Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II, offering an intimate look into life at 10 Downing Street during the Blitz. Initially, he was very unpopular amongst key political figures in Britain, and many worried that Churchill's chaotic style might not be suited to leading the country through the looming war. Drawing mainly from diary entries from Mary, Churchill's youngest daughter, John Colville, his secretary, Germany's information minister, Goebbel, and other diarists from the Mass Observation movement, the author narrates in a very engaging yet poetic fashion the ongoings of Number 10 Downing Street during the bombing of Great Britain, especially London. It's a fascinating insight into Churchill's amusing quirks like dictating to his secretary whilst lying in a bath tub and personal habits of mandatory naps, as well as the lives of his so-called inner-circle, who witnessed his behind the scenes strategizing and emotional turmoil whilst the country was being bombed to shreds. The book doesn't narrate the entirety of the war, but paints beautifully the picture of Britain's courage and resilience during the bombing, which is largely credited to one person, Winston Churchill. His larger-than-life personality, attitude, and ability to rally the nation in such trying times are portrayed poignantly. The book also highlights how Churchill’s emotionally charged speeches and interaction with commoners eradicated despondency amongst people and ignited resilience and desire for retribution instead. It was also heart warming to read about Churchill's relationship and interaction with Roosevelt and Harry Hopkins, where seeing Britain's suffering, Roosevelt wanted desperately to help Britain yet he had to keep the well being of his nation as well as the upcoming presidential election in mind. I especially liked all the bits about the various letters and notes all the characters wrote each other. It lent a significant weight to the narration and gave me goosebumps at multiple points. Overall, this book masterfully balances historical detail with personal narrative, providing a vivid portrayal of Churchill and his inner circle in one of Britain’s darkest hours.