A Distant The Calamitous 14th Century Study Guide consists of approx. 76 pages of summaries and analysis on A Distant The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman. This study guide includes the following Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion.
Barbara Tuchman's voluminous narrative about politics, religion, morals, economy, wars, growth and decay in the 14th century has kept me in suspense for two months, it wasn't easy to lay down the book. Now that I have finally finished it, there is a big cinemascope film about the scenery and life in 14th century France still running in the background of my imagination. I love this book, it is meticulously researched and presented in such a lively spellbinding way that you wouldn't miss even the most detailed depictions of battles, festivities at the grand courts or the endless quarrels with the church and the popes. Yet it is the heart-wrenching fate of the poor and destitute that rounds off the picture of that 'calamitous 14th century'. I highly recommend this book to everyone with a passion for history - and enough leisure to read through 600 pages.