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  • A Distant Mirror

  • The Calamitous Fourteenth Century
  • By: Barbara W. Tuchman
  • Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
  • Length: 28 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (48 ratings)

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A Distant Mirror cover art

A Distant Mirror

By: Barbara W. Tuchman
Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
Free with 30-day trial

$16.45/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

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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
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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

What listeners say about A Distant Mirror

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great overview of medieval life

This was a great listen. Lots of detail about historical events of the 14thcentury along side a description of everyday life. Learnt lots that hadn’t read elsewhere about this period.

Narration is very good, easily to listen to and engaging.

Definitely recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

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Absolutely loved this!

I've listened to many audiobooks on medieval history, and this is definitely now one of my favourites. The author follows the life of rich, French nobel whilst delving into the details of the medieval he lived in - both rich and poor lives. I was completely lost in this book and sad when it was over. The narrator also brings the history to life. Excellent value for money too. I highly recommend this for anyone into history.

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Excellent

What made the experience of listening to A Distant Mirror the most enjoyable?

I've been listening to this one audiobook more often over the last eight years than any other. Fascinating writing. Great narration. Can one 're-read' an audiobook?

What about Nadia May’s performance did you like?

A friendly, intimate, voice. Clear enunciation and diction. Very expressive.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic narrator

Very detailed story told from an interesting perspective. High rating due to a fantastic narrator. Have subsequently bought other books because they are narrated by the same person, she has perfect tone and timing.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A most incredible work. Superb. Spellbinding.

I found this work so very entertaining. I always like medieval history, yet this work illuminated such things as to give a really beautifully painted picture of things, the like of which I never dreamed. How will I find anything to come close in this genre? Narrated by Wanda McFadden, most beautiful pronunciations. Her accent gave the story a wonderful feel. Great choice!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A Rich Tapestry

This book is not for the faint of heart. It is long and full of detail, but that detail brings to life a time that is unparalleled for its tensions, decadence, contradictions and woe. The author conveys what it was like to live in Europe during the pivotal and war torn period of the 14th century. She does this from many points of view, from the most abject peasant to nobility and kings of almost unimaginable pretensions, wealth, brutality and foppery. This is an important time, one that resonates with today in many ways.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Too deep for me...

Was hoping to better understand medieval Europe and it’s machinations but got a deep dive into England vs France in the 1300’s. I think we got introduced to everyone involved, plus their animals. Not for me.

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