aspiringorakle 's review for:

A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman

5.0

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Tuchman is a brilliant writer and genius historian, focusing on cultural, political, ecclesiastical, and intellectual history of the 14th century through the history of the Coucys, an influential dynasty of French nobility. Tuchman details the university's escapades; the Papal schism; the Hundred Years' War; the Black Death; as well as giving proper space to important side notes. All throughout, Tuchman's historical sensibilities show through, not just unveiling important historical data but also reflecting upon it in the minimal way a good historian should. The biggest single insight that stood out to me about the 14th century was the utter hypocrisy of the Church. Time and again, the most religious were the most violent, traitorous, ungracious, murderous, and hapless. All of these were done in the name of Christ, to the shame of Christians. Nevertheless, Tuchman weaves these into a coherent history worthy of much praise.