A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara Tuchman - Book Chat

[@nedmerrill5705]

I read this last year. The introductory chapters were very instructive. Lots of anecdotes on the way of life in the 14th century. Good information on the Papal Schism. Her feature personality, Enguerrand VII Coucy was caught between the French and English spheres of influence. A lot of things were going on in that era, and Tuchman's writing is fine.

[@tscully1504]

Loved reading this book back in the 80s. Was trully a crazy century.

[@wyominghome4857]

I would have appreciated less summary and more insight as many histories draw parallels with current events. For example, I was watching the film "1776" with my husband last night. I initially thought the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence was an odd choice for a musical, but now we watch it 2-3 times a year and consider it brilliant. At one point, John Hancock in addressing John Dickinson, who has been arguing against independence on the basis of self-interest, says fortunately there are too few men of property to affect policy. Well....there are now! Regarding Tuchman's book, it might be argued that we ARE in a papal schism, with the current pope unpopular with a significant number of Catholics and moving to excommunicate traditionalist church leaders who oppose him, as he did again yesterday. It might also be argued that we've just been through a plague, and with a much more immediate impact because of global communication. Still, you piqued my interest enough to get a copy of the book.

[@MarmaladeINFP]

The Spanish Flu played a major role in setting the stage for tumultuous events. According to research done on the behavioral immune system, it's been shown a strong correlation between the rise of authoritarian governments last century and the populations worst hit by that earlier epidemic. .Something similar seems to have happened with COVID-19.

[@wyominghome4857]

@@MarmaladeINFP That's an interesting observation. Perhaps a reaction to what may have been seen as a bumbling government response to a medical calamity. A loss of trust in government. Not sure what the "behavioral immune system" is, however.

[@MarmaladeINFP]

I've never read Tuchman's work. But I've long been interested in reading something by her. I was surprised that the English peasants' revolts didn't come up. Maybe you just didn't mention it. Some consider those to be the first modern-like revolutions as involving overt class consciousness.

[@cynthiajohnson9412]

I read 2/3 of that back in the 80s. I'm pretty sure it's over 1000 pages.

[@Larkinchance]

Along these lines, I would recommend "World lit by Fire" by William Manchester

[@cardboardmusic]

Brilliant, thanks for the tip.