Larson takes us through Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister of Britain, May 1940 to May 1941, an extraordinary year that tested Churchill’s character and that of the British people. From his first day as prime minister, Hitler invades Holland and Belgium. He has already taken over Poland and Czechoslovakia. Hitler goes on that year to invade and take over France, with only the English Channel separating him from a British invasion. To force a negotiated surrender, Hitler assigns Goering, his commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, to commence a bombing of Britain to bring her people to their knees, and beg for surrender. This bombing campaign is known as the Blitz, a series of nightly savage bombings that killed approximately 45,000 civilians.

Larson’s meticulously researched narrative shows us what sort of man Churchill is, a lively lover of music, especially marching tunes, his sense of humor, incredible optimism and determination, innovative thinking, risk taking, and his rousing, inspiring eloquence—all qualities needed to hold the British people together under these conditions of living, to arouse their courage and resilience, and to motivate his chosen cabinet to get the job done, to protect their homeland. We get to know Clementine, his wife and matriarch of the family; Mary, their youngest child, who becomes a young adult at this time; Randolph, their troubled son; and his wife Pamela, who bears the first grandchild, Winston Jr., and must adapt her life in the face of Randolph’s trials. We also meet key members of Churchill’s cabinet, John Coville, one of his two personal secretaries; Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Aircraft production, and key figure in arming the RAF to defend Britain; General Ismay, Churchill’s link to the Military Chiefs of Staff; and Frederick Lindemann, his scientific advisor, and innovative thinker who devised critical means of thwarting the Luftwaffe. We also learn a bit about two particular personalities in Hitler’s cabinet, Goering, the commander of the Luftwaffe, and Goebbels, his chief of propaganda.

Much of this story is told through the eyes of John Coville and Mary Churchill, as they left detailed diaries of this period. Many diaries are consulted from the Mass Observation studies, a project whereby citizens kept diaries describing life as they experienced it during this time. Many people kept diaries at this time, so we jump around and get many points of view of cabinet meetings, weekend parties, and nightly bombings as people sheltered, or watched. Larson is very effective at changing perspectives without jarring or confusing the reader. He is also adept at fully creating characters, so the reader can feel they understand each of these people. As you experience the Blitz, and feel the intense threat of Hitler across the Channel, you will gain a new appreciation of the strength required to survive this mentally intact. The ultimate significance of decisions becomes clear— if Hitler had not sought to invade Russia at that critical point in time, how different would our world be now? As Churchill carefully woos Roosevelt to join him as an ally, how different the world might be if Roosevelt listened to the loud voices in the U.S. urging isolation?

The book’s title comes from this quote in John Coville’s diary, written in reflection after viewing bombs falling on London, “Never was there such a contrast of natural splendor and human vileness.” This quote captures Hitler’s campaign so perfectly, the awesomeness of the scope of planes and the nighttime awe of flames and bombs, the sheer size and spectacle; and at once, the vile nature required to harm so many innocent lives, including many children. I highly recommend this private, personal study of the man Churchill, his family, and the ordinary and extraordinary people of Britain. Reading it at this time is especially inspirational. We should all be as strong and resilient as the British people..