The Splendid and the Vile

A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

Erik Larson

The book chronicles Winston Churchill's first year as British Prime Minister during WWII, focusing on his leadership during the London Blitz. It weaves personal stories of Churchill's family and associates with details of wartime decision-making and the resilience of the British people.

See full summary

Dead Wake

The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

Erik Larson

The book chronicles the final voyage of the RMS Lusitania, a luxury ocean liner sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, detailing the experiences of passengers and crew as well as the political and military circumstances surrounding the event. It delves into the factors leading up to the tragedy, the impact it had on World War I, and the controversies and conspiracies that followed the sinking.

See full summary

In the Garden of Beasts

Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin

Erik Larson

The book chronicles the experiences of the American ambassador to Germany, William E. Dodd, and his family, particularly his daughter Martha, during the rise of the Nazi regime in 1930s Berlin. It provides a detailed account of their initial naivety and gradual realization of the horrors unfolding around them, set against the backdrop of increasing brutality and anti-Semitism.

See full summary

Isaac's Storm

A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History

Erik Larson

The book chronicles the life of Isaac Cline, the chief meteorologist in Galveston, Texas, during the 1900 hurricane that devastated the city, killing thousands. It delves into the science of weather forecasting at the time, the misjudgments made, and the human drama surrounding one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history.

See full summary