A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century Audiobook

" An excellent overview of the 14th Century. "

" An impressive work of narrative history that will vastly increase your understanding of medieval life. Well-written, well researched, but not for those who find history tedious. A great book. "

" I couldn't get myself to finish it. "

" Definitely will read more Tuchman. Wonderfully detailed and informative "

" Am re-reading after first read nearly 20 years ago. I always like NF history that reads like fiction (which this does), and this book is esp. interesting in light of current times. On one hand, we still have war, disease, drought, extreme poverty and an enormous gap in living conditions between rich & poor. On the other hand, we're much less likely to simply accept these as "the way things are," which I find hopeful. "

" Okay. I admit it. I've never read this all the way through--its very long. I keep reading the first half over and over again, and each time I am struck with Tuchman's insights. Maybe I should start from the middle next time. "

" Just revisited this fine book. Amazing. She manages the tell this history of the middle ages through a thorough investigation of a single French nobleman. The plague, the hundred years war, the catholic church, the crusades, slavery and freedom, and the beginnings of democracy. They're all here, and, as in all Tuchman books, the story plays out like a thriller, even though you basically know how the story ends. "

" All writings of Barbara Tuchman. The past is prologue, as it says over the door of the Smithsonian. "

" My favorite history book ever, I think. I've bought it twice and had it given to me once; not a book I want to be without. "

" I read this book a several decades ago. I still own it. I still refer to it. Pages are falling out. I believe this was the book that inspired my interest in the middle ages. This is probably the best history book I ever read. Why don't they use books like this in school? "

" A fantastic study of the 14th century and the end of the Middle Ages. Tuchman is a brilliant writer and historian. This book has spurred my interest to read more about this period and the years immediately following. "

" It is a great book marred by a heavy style. It's a MUST READ but could the author have injected a bit more pace? "

" One of best books of all time. Couldn't put it down. Everyone should own it. "

" Even though this was a fascinating book, it took me a long time to plough through it. My background knowledge about this time period is quite limited which made it hard for me to follow the book at times. I might even consider reading it again. "

" Snapshots don't work, and sometimes half of a millennium or more have a pass before you can begin to evaluate the impact from events long ago. A thorough look at western Europe in the 1300s. I'm still not much of a fan of the French. "

" As my Medieval History Professor stated, "'A Distant Mirror' is a great work of FICTION." Keep in mind that this is is NOT a History book and you'll be just fine. ;) "

" It started out good, but i could not plow my way all the way through to the end. "

" Wow! What a feast. More like an endless banquet. How she managed all that research is a mystery to me. "

" Starts out great, drags towards the end. Really could've used a good edit. "

" The most incredible book I have ever read. My appreciation for history and the people who preceded us on this earth was immensely increased by reading it. "

" Brilliant. Captivating. Fascinating. A must read, even though it's like a million pages. "

" painfully long ... couldn't even finish it, not even using the audio book "

" Wonderful insights to medival life annd times. Want to re read it after 30 years... "

" Dense thorough volume of "the calamitous 14th century". Tuchman details the medieval world of the 1300's, the Black Death, the Hundred Years War, but more importantly the human condition and the way people thought and lived. There are riches in every chapter. "

" A fascinating account of 14th century Europe. I acquired this book from my grandmother years ago & finally decided to read it. It's one of my all time favorites! "

" Think things are bad now? Take a peek back to the 14th century. . . "

" This was an interesting book, but it dragged. "

" Very interesting but I had to look up a lot of words. :) "

" One of my most favorite books ever. Not for the faint of heart-it is a committment "

" I read this title when I was an undergrad, so I hardly remember any of it. However, I do remember largely being bored, so perhaps the title was seminal in my rejection of Eurocentrism? "

" This book is a thriller as much as it is an history. Remarkable. Highly recommended "

" I read this 30 years ago and have it on my list for a re-read. A Distant Mirror fueled a life long fascination with history. "

" An amazing text that doesn't talk down to the reader. This really brought the 1300's to life for me. "

" I read this book on holiday in USA back in the 1970's and it was my introduction to the history of a period of which I have enjoyed ever since "