The Splendid and the Vile - A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

By Erik Larson

 “Larson has transformed the well-known record of 12 turbulent months, stretching from May of 1940 through May of 1941, into a book that is fresh, fast and deeply moving.” Reading this in the Times review of March 22, in the beginning of lockdown, I immediately summoned Amazon and began a compelling read about the horrors of the Blitz, Churchill’s leadership, the odd characters around him, and his manipulation of the US relationship to get us into the war. I had read Larson’s long non-fiction narratives about the Chicago World’s Fair and about the sinking of the Lusitania and had admired them both. This was another deeply researched and entertaining addition to his best-seller list.

The Splendid and the Vile was not just another of many Churchill hagiographies. Using primary sources including many personal diaries by his associates, family, and ordinary Brits, we learn much of the daily lives of high and working society. Just like with today’s crisis, people had parties, drank too much, gambled, and made love (not always with their marital partners), and this was an important part of the pleasure of the novel. Of course, Churchill and the Blitz were the main characters, and watching him lead was central. However, this was also Churchill with his peccadilloes and idiosyncrasies. Churchill wore pink silk underwear and frequently wore a golden dragon dressing gown to dinner. He took twice daily hour-long baths, regardless of the gravity of the situation. He had a tub installed in his personal train car and on the battleship when he sailed to meet Roosevelt after Pearl Harbor. He dictated his memos to his secretaries, met with friends, conferred with advisors, smoked cigars and drank champagne in the tub like a Roman emperor.  His personal bodyguard, Walter Henry Thompson detailed the following impromptu meeting with Roosevelt. He and his boss were conferring late in the evening in Churchill’s bedroom in the White House when he heard a knock on the door. He opened the door widely and saw Roosevelt in his wheelchair. He saw an odd expression come over the President’s face. “Winston Churchill was stark naked, a drink in one hand, a cigar in the other.” Roosevelt turned to leave when Churchill called out, “Come on in, Franklin. We’re quite alone. You see, Mr. President, I have nothing to hide.” They spent the next hour in conversation.

When I considered the perilous time of the Blitz, the daily dangers the Brits lived through while they “kept calm and carried on”, and the inspiring leadership Churchill provided, I mused about Covid19 and our divided population and divisive leadership. Was that fair? One reviewer of S and V cautioned against accepting Larson’s portrait of the British and described divisions within the country and more important, asked the reader to consider the painful lessons of World War I that strengthened the population’s resolve. Eighty years later with a much more heterogeneous population, England  is having the same trouble maintaining lockdowns and bar closings that we are having.

So, take what you wish from this book. It is as described…”fast and deeply moving”.

Bernie Aserkoff