In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson offers a gripping account of Winston Churchill’s leadership during the harrowing first year of World War II. Drawing on diaries, letters, and archival materials, Larson provides an intimate portrait of Churchill and those closest to him as they faced the Blitz and rallied Britain to resist Nazi Germany. This episode delves into Larson’s masterful storytelling, revealing the courage, resilience, and humanity behind one of history’s most pivotal moments.