A Distant Mirror

The Calamitous Fourteenth Century

By: Barbara W. Tuchman

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 28 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

A “marvelous history”* of medieval Europe, from the bubonic plague and the Papal Schism to the Hundred Years’ War, by the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Guns of August

*Lawrence Wright, author of The End of October, in The Wall Street Journal

The fourteenth century reflects two contradictory images: on the one hand, a glittering time of crusades and castles, cathedrals and chivalry, and the exquisitely decorated Books of Hours; and on the other, a time of ferocity and spiritual agony, a world of chaos and the plague.

Barbara Tuchman reveals both the great rhythms of history and the grain and texture of domestic life as it was lived. Here are the guilty passions, loyalties and treacheries, political assassinations, sea battles and sieges, corruption in high places and a yearning for reform, satire and humor, sorcery and demonology, and lust and sadism on the stage. Here are proud cardinals, beggars, feminists, university scholars, grocers, bankers, mercenaries, mystics, lawyers and tax collectors, and, dominating all, the knight in his valor and “furious follies,” a “terrible worm in an iron cocoon.”

©1978 Barbara W. Tuchman (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Beautifully written, careful, and thorough in its scholarship.... What Ms. Tuchman does superbly is to tell how it was.... No one has ever done this better." (New York Review of Books)

"Barbara Tuchman at the top of her powers.... A beautiful, extraordinary book.... She has done nothing finer." (Wall Street Journal)

overall well presented, some misconceptions

Overall I enjoyed this and learned a lot. While I am far from an expert of this period, however, Tuchman does perpetuate some myths that have been debunked many times over when it comes to the military side of history. For example portraying plate armor as this "iron cocoon" that was more hindrance than it was beneficial, which is wrong. Otherwise great title.

Iffy History

While this is a good overall look at the period, contemporary scholars have called into question some of Tuchman's conclusions and especially her assumptions. For example, it is certainly not clear from the historical record that parents found their children expendable due to their high mortality rate! I gave up about halfway through because both my companion and I found ourselves looking up contemporary scholars for a more nuanced and less biased view of history.

Great historian; wrong reader

I first read Barbara Tuchman’s Guns of August about 60 years ago. I really like and admire her work. It was a mistake to get this Audible version because of the reader’s accent, most especially her pronunciation of French names and places. I had 4 years of French in high school but I couldn’t make out what she was saying. I’m willing to grant she probably was pronouncing accurately but it was too hard to follow.

Sensational. Stunning.

Quite possibly the finest work of historical nonfiction I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Illuminating review of 14th century Europe

I understand why there was such a focus on one noble (availability of primary sources) but this caused the narrative to go off on what seemed like a tangent a few times. Overall, I didn't hear anything necessarily new from other books on the period I've read, but definitely enjoyed and learned about some of the effects of what happened. For example, the degradation of the Catholic Church due to the death of so many priests from the plague and how "chivalry" wasn't really chivalrous, more like rank banditry.

A lot of material but Tuchman moves the narrative

Listen with Wikipedia for reference. Enjoyed the tongue-and-cheek swipes at her subject matter.

An Accurate Mirror

This is a fabulous and quite exciting history - if you enjoy medieval history, you will like this. It is a history, not a novel, so if you would like a novelization of most of this information, try Follet's "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End".

Just too long

Yes, it's a very thorough account. Yes, it's pretty good history. But, it's ponderous. I like a long book but I'd recommend an abridged version for the average reader.

Amazing Book --- Perfect Narration

If you're interested in Medieval history you will love this book! Even if you're just a fan of Medieval fantasy, this book is for you.

Barbara Tuchman does a great job of stating facts without bogging down the story. Her way of intertwining quotes from 14th century sources in mid-sentences really keeps the book feeling authentic. It's not just Tuchman's voice we hear, but the voices of many Medieval chroniclers.
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Nadia May makes listening to this book like sitting in as a British school teacher reads to her class with marvelous enthusiasm. She couldn't have a more perfect voice to speak of castles, knights, jousts and courtly love.

Exceptional

If at all interested in high middle age history, pick this up. The combination of a narrative story and historical analitics make it a must listen. It is told in a way that is understandable to just about anyone while still being engaging and interesting.