A Distant Mirror

by Barbara Tuchman

First published 1978

Medieval Europe is ravaged by the Hundred Years' War and the Black Death. Amidst the chaos, French nobleman Enguerrand de Coucy exploits his peasants while enjoying courtly opulence. Tuchman's vivid narrative explores the cataclysmic events that shake the foundations of medieval society. At its heart, A Distant Mirror is an intimate portrait of how individuals respond to unimaginable upheaval.

Genres: historical-fiction, war, non-fiction, biography-memoir

Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: character-driven, historical-events

Setting: France

Period: 14th century, Fourteenth century

784 pages · Paperback · Random House Publishing Group

Content warnings: death, war

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