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)

Masterful is every way

One of the most thorough and enjoyable history lessons I've ever heard. Tuchman's articulate level of research and eloquent writing style made me repeat passages multiple times just to appreciate how well written this book is.

Does an excellent job showing the eternal struggle of the labor class against the disregard of the bourgeoisie (lookin at you J man)

My favorite audiobook ever

No it’s not the most titillating title, but it’s a solid book and a lovely audiobook. I have listened to it too many times to count, but I still enjoy it every time because it is a fascinating and lengthy look at one of my favorite historical periods. Would definitely recommend to any history lover who doesn’t mind devoting 20+ hours of their life to this.

I had read the book years ago

I enjoyed this audible version of a favorite book. A tumultuous century with war and plague which seems relevant.

Absolute Essential

Tuchman is at her best here. The narrative and facts are wove together seamlessly.

One of my all time favorites

One of my all time favorites books about one of the most fascinating times in human existence & a fantastic ways to "traverse one's way", so to speak, through this time period in European history. Enjoy! Lady Anne (Jessica M. Kandal, PhD)

Its a landmark book - but it takes effort

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES. The narrative is a mess at the start - but the material is EXCELLENT. I've read this multiple times and loved it each time.

Lived up to its reputation

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book has been perennially popular since it was first issued. I finally read it. Author Barbara Tuchman paints a vivid picture of life in the 14th century, during the black plague, Hundred Year' War, the disastrous crusades and the decline of the chivalric age. Also fascinating was the reclamation of the story Engerrand VII, Lord of Coucy, an extraordinarily important noble who navigated admirably in complicated times, and who would otherwise have been forgotten to history. In the telling, we see much of this age through Engerrand de Coucy's eyes. The female narrator speaks clearly, with a British accent and excellent French pronounciation.

It should be made into a musical!

This book has it all and should be made into a musical - there's fantastic sets, tragedy in the form of the 100 years war and the black death and the civilians of medieval Europe living life and loving to the fullest against the fear of plague or slaughter. Like the 1980s but on steriods!

Seriously, I hadn't realised how extravagant the 14th Century was, there was the ever present threat of pan European war and the reoccurrence of the Black Death which killed nearly 50% of the total European population by 1400. Against this, those that lived well lived like there was no tomorrow (which for some there wasn't). Everything was taken to excess, extravagant costumes, absurdly rich food at 10 course banquets, money was spent recklessly.

Ms Tuchman concentrates on Enguerrand VII, Baron de Coucy who lives conveniently in both the English Court of Edward III and the French Court of John II and thru his life Tuchman gives a thorough history of the century. It is truly fascinating and would be to anyone with an interest in European history at that time.

My only criticism is that the narrator rattles along at a cracking speed - I know that there is a lot of info to pass on but the speed at which Nadia May reads means that you have to concentrate the whole way thru - miss a bit, you have to go back and replay it - you wont catch up later.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, learnt lots but its not a book to relax to - its a history book for history buffs.

Doesn’t Work as an Audiobook

There is a lot of information packed into this book and it’s well written. But for me, it seems too involved for an audio book. I think if you are very familiar with the material, it would work, but for someone not versed in 14th century France it is hard to follow.

Also, I think a native French speaker would be a better choice of narrator. The narrator here makes a meal of her pronunciation and it ruins the flow.

Unfortunately, I am returning it.

A very thorough discussion of the 14th century

I enjoyed it- learned a lot about a time that otherwise is swept under the rug. It's uplifting in a way to know that people lived through such crappy times but that things got better.