The Splendid And The Vile by Eric Larson

 Any book which helps us understand history better is always welcome. Also this period of history needed to be explained. If anyone really asked how did the elevation of Churchill to the office of Prime Minister of England at the age of sixty-five contribute to the  outcome of the war, this is the book  to read.

Churchill rose to power at a time of history that was suited for him. He was not a man to give up or aback down. He seemed to hold a philosophy of if a person attacks you you attack back. Hitler seems to feel if he could destroy Britain, Churchill and the British people would give in. With the previous PM, Chamberlain, that would have been possible, but they picked on the wrong PM. This book covers the first year of  Churchill's term as the Prime Minister .It also involves the people around Churchill such as his wife, his son, his daughter, his counselors. And the enemy, Hitler, Goebbels, Rudolf Hess and others. Churchill's objective was  to get America to join him in the fight but it seems Roosevelt was afraid of the congress that kept him neutral. It wasn't until Pearl Harbor that he got the message. This book is well research and I recommend it to history buffs , not that  the general public wouldn't also enjoy it. It is an easy read and delightful. 

It is published by Crown and runs for about $32.00 in hardcover. You can find it in softcover. Your local bookstore should have it or you can find it in the library.

When Lions Roar by Thomas Mailer

    Parents influence their children. They have as long as time has existed. Two families of the twentieth century have to a major extent defined the period. I am talking about the families of the Churchill’s and Kennedy’s. They are now characters of history.

    History has always been an interest of mine. It shows where we have come from and the basis for our present civilization.

    In this large book or over 700 pages with notes and an extensive bibliography Mailer informs us of the influence of Churchill and Kennedy from the Second World War through the presidency of JFK.

    The two great heads of each clan had off springs. What the parents did to influence events and what the children did is the basis for the whole story.

    And the part of the grand story that concerns Winston Churchill has been one of the areas of great interest. His prodigy never seemed able to live in his shadow.

    Also there was the influence of Joe Kennedy Sr. He was not so pure as you would think. But he was single minded and achieved his goal.

    I feel this easy to read historical volume will be a great addition to the massive collection of these two families. It is more concerned with the families imprint on the era than the addition of new facts to the time period covered.

    This book was sent to me free from Blogging for Books.com for the purpose of review. There was no requirement that I give a positive review. All opinions are those of the reviewer and not of the publisher.