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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
I really wish that we had the options to give half stars. If that were the case, I would give this book a 3.5 star rating. I really did like the book but not quite enough to give it four stars.
I found the subject fascinating but too much. Tuchman bit off, in my opinion, just a bit more than she could chew. At the beginning of the book she stated her basic outline for the book, as a good historian should. Since the study of a particular century is far too much for any one book, Tuchman chose to limit the book to the events occurring within the lifetime of one particular character. (She did indulge in a bit of discussion of the years just beyond either end but that's understandable.) She also described in great detail her search for a character that was prominent enough to have a decent amount of data extant but not an especially prominent character such as a king or queen. I admire her effort but think that her noble goals were not quite reached. Her character (I have no idea how to spell the French since I just listened to the audiobook rather than read it in print) was, after all, married to the King of England's daughter. In my book that makes him pretty prominent.
The biggest thing that bothered me, is that Tuchman often strayed far outside the guidelines that she set for herself at the beginning of the book. (Specifically here I'm referring to her self-imposed limitation of the book's scope to the life of one particular character.) She often spent several chapters discussing events occurring concurrently but not directly or even indirectly related to the "main character."
That being said, Tuchman does a masterful job corralling the many diverse details surrounding the 1300s. She inspired a desire within me to learn even more about this era which in my book is an extremely positive sign.
I highly recommend this book despite my lackluster rating. Only Tuchman's failure to live up completely to the goals she set at the beginning of the book lost her that star. :)
I found the subject fascinating but too much. Tuchman bit off, in my opinion, just a bit more than she could chew. At the beginning of the book she stated her basic outline for the book, as a good historian should. Since the study of a particular century is far too much for any one book, Tuchman chose to limit the book to the events occurring within the lifetime of one particular character. (She did indulge in a bit of discussion of the years just beyond either end but that's understandable.) She also described in great detail her search for a character that was prominent enough to have a decent amount of data extant but not an especially prominent character such as a king or queen. I admire her effort but think that her noble goals were not quite reached. Her character (I have no idea how to spell the French since I just listened to the audiobook rather than read it in print) was, after all, married to the King of England's daughter. In my book that makes him pretty prominent.
The biggest thing that bothered me, is that Tuchman often strayed far outside the guidelines that she set for herself at the beginning of the book. (Specifically here I'm referring to her self-imposed limitation of the book's scope to the life of one particular character.) She often spent several chapters discussing events occurring concurrently but not directly or even indirectly related to the "main character."
That being said, Tuchman does a masterful job corralling the many diverse details surrounding the 1300s. She inspired a desire within me to learn even more about this era which in my book is an extremely positive sign.
I highly recommend this book despite my lackluster rating. Only Tuchman's failure to live up completely to the goals she set at the beginning of the book lost her that star. :)
This book is fantastic in its depth. The author did not come to fuck around, she came to murder - with precision - the fond notion of knighthood, kings, princesses, castles and any kind feelings you may have reserved for “the Church” (lol if you have fond feelings please seek therapy I laugh because otherwise I’d cry).
When I began reading Dante’s Divine Comedy (not finished yet JEEZ), I realized how little I understood of 14th century western culture. For instance how the world of Dante reacted to his canticles - how his writings influenced culture. Anyway, I remembered to read this book. Which given the time we find ourselves in during a global pandemic .... this is triggering as fuck and also so goddamned well written. The parallels between then and now will ENRAGE you.
Anyway, the author’s writing is entertaining and everyone should read PARTS of this book. I get that 14th century plague and cultural commentary may not be for everyone, but if nothing else read the preface.
When I began reading Dante’s Divine Comedy (not finished yet JEEZ), I realized how little I understood of 14th century western culture. For instance how the world of Dante reacted to his canticles - how his writings influenced culture. Anyway, I remembered to read this book. Which given the time we find ourselves in during a global pandemic .... this is triggering as fuck and also so goddamned well written. The parallels between then and now will ENRAGE you.
Anyway, the author’s writing is entertaining and everyone should read PARTS of this book. I get that 14th century plague and cultural commentary may not be for everyone, but if nothing else read the preface.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
A Distant Mirror is a fascinating study of the time and culture of chivalry, as seen through the life of Enguerrand de Coucy, a powerful French baron, and last of his line. de Coucy left a relatively light mark on the historical record (his face is turned away from the viewer in the only extant portrait, his castle was razed by the Nazis in WW2), but this book is more about the entire time, and that time was a shitshow.
The central event of the 14th century was the Black Death, a wave of plague which reduced the population of Europe by between 30% and 40%. War was almost constant, and the superiority of walled cities and castles over armies of the time meant that war was fought by mass destructive raids. Men-at-arms, called to fight for France or England or Burgundy, would transition almost effortless to brigands during periods of truce. The Catholic Church was at its lowest ebb, split in the Great Schism between rival popes in Rome and Avignon. Chivalry had degenerated to a parody of high culture, with knights lavish dandies and dancers by night, and incapable of even moderate tactics in battle.
Tuchman's book is a masterful survey of the glamour of life at the top of Medieval society, and the oppression and suffering that support that glittering top.
The central event of the 14th century was the Black Death, a wave of plague which reduced the population of Europe by between 30% and 40%. War was almost constant, and the superiority of walled cities and castles over armies of the time meant that war was fought by mass destructive raids. Men-at-arms, called to fight for France or England or Burgundy, would transition almost effortless to brigands during periods of truce. The Catholic Church was at its lowest ebb, split in the Great Schism between rival popes in Rome and Avignon. Chivalry had degenerated to a parody of high culture, with knights lavish dandies and dancers by night, and incapable of even moderate tactics in battle.
Tuchman's book is a masterful survey of the glamour of life at the top of Medieval society, and the oppression and suffering that support that glittering top.
Pretty good read, I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about medieval Europe but this was a big step up in detail and scope.
I particularly enjoyed the attention she paid to commoners, women and merchants rather than the standard soap opera of kings and nobles.
I particularly enjoyed the attention she paid to commoners, women and merchants rather than the standard soap opera of kings and nobles.
I read this book primarily because Neil Gaiman namedropped it somewhere referencing it and why Crowley (from Good Omens) slept through the 14th Century. I can't say that I blame him.
But reading it these days? Wow
Let's just say that this book was published in 1978 and written about the 14th century but I read what happened then and it's not too far from what's happening right now. Plague? Yep. Leaders who care more for themselves and their money rather than, you know, everyone else? Check check. The only thing we don't have are crusades but you know, 2020's not over yet so who knows!
Anyway, the wheel of time continues to turn -- but the important thing that this book taught me is that yes, things will get better but things take time. A long time in some cases. And what brings it about is patience and hard work... and not being a complete asshole.
The book itself is engaging and interesting to read. I love that we follow the narrative of one particular historical figure because it gives great context to what is going on. I like her authorial voice and though I found it a bit judgy at times, I was more amused than anything.
On a further Good Omens note, because I'm basic, the author mentions a particular battle between the English and the French where brutal Welshman with long knives would go out and stab the dying on the field to hasten the process. And it's horrible and senseless and brutal-- and yet having watched GOmens and Prodigal Son-- I just can't help but picture a mad grinning Michael Sheen with his head of woolly hair stabbing someone out of pure freaking glee and my first reaction, terrible as it is, is:
'Aww, bless'
But yes. Anyway. I enjoyed it a lot! Would recommend!
But reading it these days? Wow
Let's just say that this book was published in 1978 and written about the 14th century but I read what happened then and it's not too far from what's happening right now. Plague? Yep. Leaders who care more for themselves and their money rather than, you know, everyone else? Check check. The only thing we don't have are crusades but you know, 2020's not over yet so who knows!
Anyway, the wheel of time continues to turn -- but the important thing that this book taught me is that yes, things will get better but things take time. A long time in some cases. And what brings it about is patience and hard work... and not being a complete asshole.
The book itself is engaging and interesting to read. I love that we follow the narrative of one particular historical figure because it gives great context to what is going on. I like her authorial voice and though I found it a bit judgy at times, I was more amused than anything.
On a further Good Omens note, because I'm basic, the author mentions a particular battle between the English and the French where brutal Welshman with long knives would go out and stab the dying on the field to hasten the process. And it's horrible and senseless and brutal-- and yet having watched GOmens and Prodigal Son-- I just can't help but picture a mad grinning Michael Sheen with his head of woolly hair stabbing someone out of pure freaking glee and my first reaction, terrible as it is, is:
'Aww, bless'
But yes. Anyway. I enjoyed it a lot! Would recommend!
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
A fine read with facts to be gleaned, but everything must be taken with a grain of salt and cross-referenced. I wouldn't take this book as a "be-all and end-all" of the 1300's.