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Distant Mirror: The Calamitous Fourteenth Century

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Book details

  1. Print length
    704 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Macmillan
  4. Publication date
    22 Feb. 1979
  5. ISBN-10
    0333197526
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0333197523
  7. See all details
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Book overview

New York. 25 cm. XX, 677 p.,(32) p. of plates : ill., maps, ports. Encuadernación en tapa dura artesanal. Idioma Inglés. (by) Barbara W. Tuchman. Col. maps on lining papers. Originally published: New York : Knopf, 1978. Bibl. : p. 599-617. - Index .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario. ISBN: 0333197526; 9780333197523
Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. That conflict between the reach for the divine and the lure of earthly things was to be the central problem of the Middle Ages.
    Highlighted by 1,383 Kindle readers
  2. Once people envisioned the possibility of change in a fixed order, the end of an age of submission came in sight; the turn to individual conscience lay ahead. To that extent the Black Death may have been the unrecognized beginning of modern man.
    Highlighted by 1,377 Kindle readers
  3. When the gap between ideal and real becomes too wide, the system breaks down.
    Highlighted by 1,072 Kindle readers
  4. Only the Church offered an organizing principle, which was the reason for its success, for society cannot bear anarchy.
    Highlighted by 1,012 Kindle readers

About the author

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Barbara Wertheim Tuchman
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Barbara Wertheim Tuchman (/ˈtʌkmən/; January 30, 1912 – February 6, 1989) was an American historian and author. She won the Pulitzer Prize twice, for The Guns of August (1962), a best-selling history of the prelude to and the first month of World War I, and Stilwell and the American Experience in China (1971), a biography of General Joseph Stilwell.

Tuchman focused on writing popular history.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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Product information

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
2,500 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the comprehensive narrative that vividly portrays the history of the 14th century. The book provides an eye-opening overview of the lives of people in that era.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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ReadabilityHistory knowledge
ReadabilityHistory knowledge
21Customers mention
18Positive
3Negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They describe it as an enjoyable read that paints a detailed picture of the medieval period. The book is described as one of the best and most enjoyable books of history.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"This is a well written interesting book that reads like a story, not just dry prose...." Read more

"...in Europe was first published over 30 years ago but it is still much more readable than most books on the subject...." Read more

"This splendid book is truly a masterpiece , essential for serious study of the Fourteenth Century." Read more

"...Excellent , sceptical history, worthy of David Hume himself." Read more

15Customers mention
15Positive
0Negative

Customers find the book's history fascinating and an eye-opener on the lives of the people in the 14th century. They appreciate the comprehensive narrative that vividly brings the age to life. The book is a recommended reference for this period in history, providing an excellent view of 14th Century life at the time of the Black Death. Readers mention it's superbly researched and well-written, offering a great review of a complex and turbulent century.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

"...intrigues and the tales of the two popes, but the author is a very deft story teller, and this part of the book may be of more interest to others...." Read more

"This is a well written interesting book that reads like a story, not just dry prose...." Read more

"...This book moves along with pace of a thriller and you will learn much about the 14th century. It can be thoroughly recommended." Read more

"Excellent review of 14th century from all angles" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Margaret Geaney
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    Brilliant read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 September 2024
    If you enjoy reading history do read this one.
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  • Dondayesta
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    An intriguing overview of the 14th Century
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 February 2023
    This book starts as a fascinating overview of the devastating years of the plague and follows the life of one individual throughout these tortuous times. I personally found the review of the plague to be fascinating and macabre in equal measure, and the tale of... See more
    This book starts as a fascinating overview of the devastating years of the plague and follows the life of one individual throughout these tortuous times.
    I personally found the review of the plague to be fascinating and macabre in equal measure, and the tale of devastation is well told. I was rather less interested personally in the later political intrigues and the tales of the two popes, but the author is a very deft story teller, and this part of the book may be of more interest to others. Barbara Wertheim Tuchman brings a wealth of knowledge to a little-known period of history and brings the history books to life.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mikels
    4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    Good view of 14th century life
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2014
    This is a well written interesting book that reads like a story, not just dry prose. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is that it sometimes goes off at a tangent, which as a novel would have been fine but can get confusing when following an historical timeline.... See more
    This is a well written interesting book that reads like a story, not just dry prose. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is that it sometimes goes off at a tangent, which as a novel would have been fine but can get confusing when following an historical timeline.

    However don't let that put you off.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ron Ball
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    A Horrific Century
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 March 2011
    Barbara Tuchmann's review of the 14th Century in Europe was first published over 30 years ago but it is still much more readable than most books on the subject. It is comprehensive, revealing and full of anecdotes that brighten the images on so many pages. This century... See more
    Barbara Tuchmann's review of the 14th Century in Europe was first published over 30 years ago but it is still much more readable than most books on the subject. It is comprehensive, revealing and full of anecdotes that brighten the images on so many pages. This century was probably the most appalling in European history with an epidemic that slaughtered 30%+ of the population; and yet men could not refrain from almost continuous war - that at times just exhausted the combatants. The desperation of kings for more money to fight their wars and the extent of political manoeuvring and corruption suggest that they could match anything we witness in the modern world.
    This book moves along with pace of a thriller and you will learn much about the 14th century. It can be thoroughly recommended.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • John Condon
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    Truly comprehensive grand narrative of the age vividly brought to life
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2023
    Excellent review of 14th century from all angles
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    Just Arrived !
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 July 2021
    This splendid book is truly a masterpiece , essential for serious study of the Fourteenth Century.
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  • Mike Olley
    4.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    policed by a series of wonderful police forces and if the driver had an accident ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2015
    The goods where received after driving on public roads, policed by a series of wonderful police forces and if the driver had an accident he could go direct to a NHS hospital – all paid for by taxes, UK taxes. Amazon need to pay a fair share towards this, yet they don’t…... See more
    The goods where received after driving on public roads, policed by a series of wonderful police forces and if the driver had an accident he could go direct to a NHS hospital – all paid for by taxes, UK taxes. Amazon need to pay a fair share towards this, yet they don’t… come on Amazon play it with it with a straight bat….. tut tut
    16 people found this helpful
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  • I. A. Peden
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    Excellent , sceptical history....worthy of David Hume himself!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 July 2014
    Read this years ago, still love it. Tuchman always qualifies every sweeping statement with an opposite example. This historical scepticism , mixed with considerable knowledge, provides the reader with a very believable and credible history of the 14th century.... See more
    Read this years ago, still love it. Tuchman always qualifies every sweeping statement with an opposite example. This historical scepticism , mixed with considerable knowledge, provides the reader with a very believable and credible history of the 14th century.
    Excellent , sceptical history, worthy of David Hume himself.
    10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Gerardo Souza
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    Uma descrição profunda e culta sobre os medos, alegrias e destruição na Idade Média.
    Reviewed in Brazil on 25 October 2024
    Um trabalho minucioso, profundo, da vida na Idade Média.
    Um trabalho minucioso, profundo, da vida na Idade Média.

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  • Patrick Sullivan
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    The Black Death and So Much More
    Reviewed in Canada on 5 August 2020
    Gibbon claimed, that the Second Century AD was the best time to be alive. Well the 14th Century is probably the worst time period, anyone could have lived through. The 14th Century starts out with the Little Ice Age. The first half of the century produced poor harvests, due...See more
    Gibbon claimed, that the Second Century AD was the best time to be alive. Well the 14th Century is probably the worst time period, anyone could have lived through. The 14th Century starts out with the Little Ice Age. The first half of the century produced poor harvests, due to the cold weather conditions. This led to wide spread famines throughout Europe. Tuchman begins her review, in the middle of the 14th Century. This is also when, the first wave of The Black Death starts hitting Europe. England and France will soon enter an era, of almost non-stop war. This conflict will later be called The Hundred Years War. In hindsight, we know that Europe was in a period of transition. The Medieval time frame is ending and The Renaissance is starting to take root. Periods of drastic change, always seem to produce large social upheavals. This book outlines many of the; disruptions, disasters, and revolutions, that took place in the 14th Century. There are also a number of interesting social aspects, regarding the Black Death. The reader can make comparisons with the current Corona Virus Pandemic of 2020. Barbara Tuchman is an outstanding writer of history. This book is highly recommended, to anyone that enjoys reading history.
    Gibbon claimed, that the Second Century AD was the best time to be alive. Well the 14th Century is probably the worst time period, anyone could have lived through. The 14th Century starts out with the Little Ice Age. The first half of the century produced poor harvests, due to the cold weather conditions. This led to wide spread famines throughout Europe. Tuchman begins her review, in the middle of the 14th Century. This is also when, the first wave of The Black Death starts hitting Europe. England and France will soon enter an era, of almost non-stop war. This conflict will later be called The Hundred Years War.

    In hindsight, we know that Europe was in a period of transition. The Medieval time frame is ending and The Renaissance is starting to take root. Periods of drastic change, always seem to produce large social upheavals. This book outlines many of the; disruptions, disasters, and revolutions, that took place in the 14th Century. There are also a number of interesting social aspects, regarding the Black Death. The reader can make comparisons with the current Corona Virus Pandemic of 2020.

    Barbara Tuchman is an outstanding writer of history. This book is highly recommended, to anyone that enjoys reading history.

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  • Hugo R. Navarro Contreras
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    Un espejo lejano por Barbara Tucumán
    Reviewed in Mexico on 19 February 2020
    Un libro extraordinario. Muy recomendable para los amantes de la historia medieval que demandan estudios serios y exhaustivos. Lo recomiendo ampliamente.
    Un libro extraordinario. Muy recomendable para los amantes de la historia medieval que demandan estudios serios y exhaustivos. Lo recomiendo ampliamente.

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  • Cino Sitia
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    Il Trecento in Europa
    Reviewed in Italy on 2 December 2020
    Straordinario affresco del Trecento in Europa. Scritto benissimo, Da non perdere
    Straordinario affresco del Trecento in Europa. Scritto benissimo, Da non perdere

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  • David Barrett
    5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
    A great book by a legendary historian
    Reviewed in Australia on 17 November 2023
    I teach modern history, but quickly found myself absorbed in the amazing detail in this book about a critical century during the medieval period. Tuchman (as always ‒ I recommend any of her books) paints a clear, detailed picture of life in 14th-century Europe. If you like...See more
    I teach modern history, but quickly found myself absorbed in the amazing detail in this book about a critical century during the medieval period. Tuchman (as always ‒ I recommend any of her books) paints a clear, detailed picture of life in 14th-century Europe. If you like reading non-fiction history, you won't be disappointed.
    I teach modern history, but quickly found myself absorbed in the amazing detail in this book about a critical century during the medieval period. Tuchman (as always ‒ I recommend any of her books) paints a clear, detailed picture of life in 14th-century Europe. If you like reading non-fiction history, you won't be disappointed.

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