The Splendid and the Vile

The #1 New York Times bestselling author presents a compelling portrait of Winston Churchill and London during the Blitz. On Churchill's first day as prime minister, Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium, with Poland and Czechoslovakia already fallen and the Dunkirk evacuation looming. Over the next year, a relentless bombing campaign would kill 45,000 Britons, placing the burden on Churchill to unify the nation and convince President Franklin Roosevelt of Britain's resolve to fight. Through cinematic detail, the narrative illustrates how Churchill taught the British people "the art of being fearless." It blends political tension with intimate domestic drama, set against Churchill's country home, Chequers; his wartime retreat, Ditchley; and 10 Downing Street. Utilizing diaries, archival documents, and recently released intelligence reports, the author offers a fresh perspective on London's darkest year, focusing on Churchill's family dynamics, including his wife, Clementine; their daughter, Mary; their son, Randolph; and his wife, Pamela, along with a group of close advisers known as Churchill's "Secret Circle." This work transports readers to a time of true leadership, showcasing how Churchill's eloquence, courage, and perseverance united a nation and a family amid unrelenting horror.