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rachel_in_winterley's review against another edition
5.0
An immense book, an incredible achievement to cover so much and make it gripping and entertaining! Yes, it takes a while, and it takes commitment, but if you decide to plunge in it is hugely worthwhile. I was doing a kind of do-it-yourself project on the 14th century last year and this became part of it. On the lighter, quicker side, I read lots of Susanna Gregory's historical crime novels featuring Matthew Bartholomew and set in 14C Cambridge. And some Chaucer, and some Julian of Norwich. In fact the project got a bit beyond me really, but Tuchman's book is wonderful.
alexbrownbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was unwise, but if autocrats always acted wisely they would not furnish history with moral lessons.
At last, I have finished this hefty history, and yes, it was worth it! It's dense, but it's fascinating and witty, too. I never realized how much of our modern world has roots buried deep in the 14th century. Capitalism, workers' rights, the Reformation? You can see it all brewing here. Class struggle amidst the tyranny of the 1%, religious conflict, vainglorious leaders, technological advances without equivalent advances in strategy or ethics, general bewailing of the darkness of the times/the loss of all morality/the sense that no time has ever been so lost to hope as the current age -- wait, are we talking about the 1300s or the now? This is a book that's eye-opening in the broad sweeps, and filled with memorable anecdotes on the small scale, too. My love affair with Barbara Tuchman continues!
At last, I have finished this hefty history, and yes, it was worth it! It's dense, but it's fascinating and witty, too. I never realized how much of our modern world has roots buried deep in the 14th century. Capitalism, workers' rights, the Reformation? You can see it all brewing here. Class struggle amidst the tyranny of the 1%, religious conflict, vainglorious leaders, technological advances without equivalent advances in strategy or ethics, general bewailing of the darkness of the times/the loss of all morality/the sense that no time has ever been so lost to hope as the current age -- wait, are we talking about the 1300s or the now? This is a book that's eye-opening in the broad sweeps, and filled with memorable anecdotes on the small scale, too. My love affair with Barbara Tuchman continues!
primerstar6's review against another edition
2.0
i'm utterly overwhelmed by the ridiculous level of detail in this book. I don't really need to know how much of every single thing was served, worn, or purchased for every major fete in France or England at the time. There was no reason for it either, for we aren't given any kind of insight into what these people's motives were. And naturally, because of the time in history, we're told a TON of names of people we've never heard of before, then long paragraphs will follow where the author repeatedly says "he" did this or that, and i've forgotten who "he" is even supposed to be.
Someone please edit this thing down and maybe I can finish it. I made it about 60% and just couldn't plow thru any more. Another issue of mine? How exactly was this time period a distant mirror? The author didn't mention it in the hundreds of pages i did read.
Someone please edit this thing down and maybe I can finish it. I made it about 60% and just couldn't plow thru any more. Another issue of mine? How exactly was this time period a distant mirror? The author didn't mention it in the hundreds of pages i did read.
primada's review against another edition
5.0
I had to find out why so many of my reader friends list this book as one of their all-time favorites. Now I know. Barbara Tuchman is such a compelling storyteller. I especially loved looking for all the details that made their way into Game of Thrones.
msrdr's review against another edition
4.0
It is easy to see why Tuchman won the Pulitzer twice. Her narrative style makes A Distant Mirror a page-turner. For a 600-page history of a century of European experience this is an achievement all on its own. A Distant Mirror is clever, and thoughtfully researched. Tuchman carefully digs into the details of her research and estimation of the times at appropriate and well balanced moments throughout the larger chronological narrative of the "geo-politics" of the century, at the same time as her story of Enguerrand VII de Coucy, the history's "hero" who's chronicle intersects the political history of France in interesting and impressive ways.
slithytove's review against another edition
5.0
The best historical nonfiction book you are ever going to read and it's probably close to the best book you are ever going to read. Its obviously exhaustively researched but is nowhere near exhausting to read. Tuchman's easy reading style brings the 14th century to life in vivid detail from the military and political intrigue of the mightiest prine or prelate down to the everyday life of the ordinary peasant. I cannot rate this book high enough and extra stars go to the audio version read by Nadia May.
martinbihl's review against another edition
4.0
Brilliant. Captivating. Fascinating. A must read, even though it's like a million pages.